Mastacembelus

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Mastacembelus is a genus of many species of spiny eel fish from the family Mastacembelidae. They are native to Africa (c. 45 species) and Asia (c. 15 species).[1] Most are found in rivers and associated systems (even in rapids[2]), but there are also species in other freshwater habitats and a particularly rich radiation is found in the Lake Tanganyika basin with 15 species (14 endemic).[3][4] A few species can even occur in brackish water.[5]

Appearance

File:Tyre track eels.jpg
Several Mastacembelus armatus caught in the Tlawng river in India. This species is sometimes kept in aquariums, but also considered a good food fish and eaten in its native range[5]

The size and pattern varies greatly depending on the exact species of Mastacembelus. The smallest are M. latens and M. simba, which only reach a maximum total length of Template:Cvt.[1][2] At up to Template:Cvt, the largest of both the family and this genus is M. erythrotaenia.[1][6] M. erythrotaenia, often known as the fire eel, is blackish with an orange-red pattern, and it is a popular aquarium fish.[6] Otherwise species in this genus are typically brownish and often have a spotted, speckled or mottled pattern, either in another brown hue, grayish or yellowish. This pattern is reflected in the common name of another species sometimes kept in aquariums, the zig-zag eel M. armatus (alternatively called the tire track eel, a name otherwise used for M. favus). A few others also occasionally appear in the aquarium trade,[6] and some are considered good food fish and eaten locally.[5] M aviceps, M. brichardi, M. crassus and M. latens are found in dark, deep parts of the Congo River and sometimes shallower among rocks. These four species have reduced eyes and are all pinkish-white in color (non-pigmented), similar to cavefish.[2]

Taxonomy

In an evaluation of the Mastacembelidae in 2005, the genera Caecomastacembelus and Aethiomastacembelus (formerly used for the African species) were placed in synonymy with Mastacembelus.[7]

Species

File:Tire Track Eel.jpg
Mastacembelus armatus is a widespread Asian species found in both fresh and brackish water, but as currently defined it is likely a species complex[5]
File:Ildaal.jpg
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia is a relatively large, brightly marked Asian species that is highly prized in the aquarium trade.[8]
File:Aethiomasta-ellipsif1.1.jpg
Mastacembelus ellipsifer, one of the many species found only in Lake Tanganyika[3][4]
File:Mastacembelus-flavidus.jpg
Mastacembelus flavidus, another species found only in Lake Tanganyika[3][4]

According to FishBase, there are currently 63 recognized species in this genus.[1] 5 additional species (marked with a star* in the list) are recognized by Catalog of Fishes.[9]

References

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  9. ↑ a b c d Template:Cof genus

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