Tire Track Eel (Mastacembelus armatus)

The Tire Track Eel (Mastacembelus armatus) is a striking freshwater oddball renowned for its long, slender body and intricate maze-like pattern that resembles the tread of a tyre. Native to rivers and streams throughout South and Southeast Asia, this fascinating species makes an impressive centrepiece for large aquariums.

Primarily nocturnal, the Tire Track Eel spends much of the day hidden beneath driftwood, inside caves, or partially buried in the substrate before becoming active at dusk. Although naturally shy, they often become surprisingly interactive over time and will learn to recognise their keeper, eagerly emerging at feeding time.

With proper care, Tire Track Eels can live for well over a decade, making them a rewarding long-term addition to the aquarium.

Aquarium Setup

A spacious aquarium with excellent water quality is essential. A soft sand substrate is strongly recommended, allowing the eel to burrow naturally without damaging its delicate skin. Provide plenty of hiding places using driftwood, rocks, caves, PVC pipes, and dense planting to help the fish feel secure.

Tire Track Eels are excellent escape artists, so a secure, tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent them from leaving the aquarium.

Feeding

Tire Track Eels are carnivores and thrive on a varied diet of frozen and live foods. Bloodworms, blackworms, earthworms, prawns, mussels, and other meaty foods are readily accepted. Many specimens can also be trained to eat high-quality sinking carnivore pellets as they mature.

Feed during the evening or after lights out when they are naturally most active.

Why We Like This Fish

• Stunning maze-like body pattern
• Unique eel-like appearance and behaviour
• Full of personality and becomes tame over time
• Long-lived and rewarding to keep
• Excellent centrepiece for large aquariums

Recommended Tank Parameters

• Temperature: 24–28°C
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• GH: Soft to moderately hard water
• Minimum Aquarium Size: 450 litres
• Substrate: Fine sand is highly recommended

Care Information

• Diet: Carnivore – accepts frozen, live, and quality sinking carnivore foods.
• Temperament: Peaceful, but will eat fish small enough to fit in its mouth.
• Social Behaviour: Best kept singly.
• Origin: South and Southeast Asia.
• Maximum Size: Approximately 50 cm.
• Tank Level: Bottom.

Compatibility: Suitable with larger rainbowfish, Severums, Geophagus, silver dollars, larger gouramis, peaceful catfish, and other medium to large non-aggressive fish. Avoid housing with small fish, ornamental shrimp, or highly aggressive species.

Please note: Sample photos are for reference only. Colour, size, and markings may vary slightly as each fish is unique.