description Rubber Eel Overview
The rubber eel, Typhlonectes natans, is an aquatic caecilian native to parts of Colombia and Venezuela. Despite its common name and elongated, limbless body, it is an amphibian rather than an eel; it belongs to Gymnophiona, the caecilian order, and breathes air through lungs. The species gives birth to live young and is kept by specialist aquarists who can provide warm water, secure housing, and access to the surface.
help Rubber Eel FAQ
Is the rubber eel actually a fish or an amphibian?
Despite its common name and eel-like appearance, the rubber eel is completely an amphibian belonging to the caecilian order. Specifically, it is an aquatic caecilian scientifically known as Typhlonectes natans, which breathes air through lungs rather than having gills like a true fish.
Where does the rubber eel naturally live?
This aquatic caecilian is native to freshwater habitats in parts of Colombia and Venezuela. In the wild, they prefer shallow, muddy waters where they can burrow into the substrate and hunt for aquatic invertebrates.
Can you keep a rubber eel in a home aquarium?
Yes, they are sometimes kept in home aquariums, though they require specific care due to their fully aquatic nature and poor eyesight. A tank needs a soft, sandy bottom for them to burrow into, along with tight-fitting lids since they are notorious escape artists.
How does the rubber eel breathe underwater?
Since it is an amphibian and lacks gills, the rubber eel must surface periodically to breathe atmospheric air. It uses its lungs to extract oxygen and can also absorb some additional oxygen directly through its skin in highly oxygenated water.
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