Mastacembelus oatesii – Oates’ Spiny Eel (~37 cm / ~15″ max) Pleco Its bold crimson-red body and

Its bold crimson-red body and intricate fin patterns resemble the mythical fierceness of a dragon

Lifespan: 5–8 years

Moderate to strong current (powerhead/wavemaker recommended)

captive husbandry is undocumented and challenges remain unknown

Best kept in a small shoal of 4–6 individuals to encourage confident behavior

Mastacembelus oatesii – Oates’ Spiny Eel (~37 cm / ~15″ max) Pleco Its bold crimson-red body andDescription Mastacembelus oatesii is a spiny eel species native exclusively to Inle Lake in Myanmar. Males can reach up to approximately 37 cm in length and feature a broad, short snout with large dark spots along a slender body. It has fewer dorsal and anal fin rays compared to most Mastacembelus speciestypically 4856 dorsal rays and 4660 anal rays, with correspondingly fewer vertebrae . Unlike many of its relatives, the fins are free of spot