description Tiretrack eel Overview
The tiretrack eel (Mastacembelus favus) is a tropical freshwater spiny eel in the family Mastacembelidae, recorded from Thailand through the Malay Peninsula. It has an elongated body marked by dark reticulated lines that create the tire-track appearance used in its common name. The species inhabits flowing water, commonly rests over gravel, and is active mainly at night, when it searches the bottom for small invertebrates and plant matter.
help Tiretrack eel FAQ
What is the tiretrack eel's scientific name?
The tiretrack eel is Mastacembelus favus. It is a tropical freshwater spiny eel in the family Mastacembelidae.
Where does Mastacembelus favus come from?
Its recorded range extends from Thailand through the Malay Peninsula. It is associated with tropical freshwater habitats rather than marine coastal water.
Why is it called a tiretrack eel?
The name refers to the dark reticulated lines running across its elongated body. Those markings resemble the pattern left by a tire track.
Is a tiretrack eel a true eel?
No. Mastacembelus favus is a spiny eel, a freshwater ray-finned fish group that is separate from true marine eels. Its dorsal fin spines help distinguish it from many other eel-shaped fish.
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