Zig-zag eel | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Synbranchiformes |
Family: | Mastacembelidae |
Genus: | Mastacembelus |
Species: | M. armatus
|
Binomial name | |
Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800)
| |
Synonyms[2] | |
|
The zig-zag eel (Mastacembelus armatus Scopoli, 1777[3]), also known as the Baim[4],tire-track, tire-track spiny- or marbled spiny eel,[2] is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish in the family Mastacembelidae. It is native to the riverine systems of the Indian Subcontinent (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal), Sri Lanka, Malaysia,Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. The species was initially described as Macrognathus armature (Lacepède, 1800).[5] Other common names for this popular captive species include the leopard spiny eel[6] and white-spotted spiny eel.
This eel has remained fairly popular as an aquarium fish for years, owing to its unique appearance and behaviors. Additionally, like other species of eels throughout the world, the zig-zag eel serves as a viable protein and food source for humans, aquatic reptiles, birds and other, larger fishes throughout much of its range.[7][2]