Peacock eel
A small freshwater spiny eel from Southeast Asia.
The peacock eel is a scaleless freshwater fish native to river basins in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It serves as both a food source and a popular aquarium species, though it has become invasive in Florida.
- Grows up to 30 cm in length
- Native to Mekong and Chao Phraya basins
- Invasive in Florida Everglades since 2002
- Lacks scales and burrows in sand
- Eats small crustaceans and worms
What it is
The peacock eel, also known as the spotfin spiny eel, is a slender freshwater fish lacking scales. It grows to a maximum standard length of 30 cm, though individuals around 20 cm are more typical. The body is adapted for burrowing into soft substrates like sand, mud or silt. Males and females look similar externally, making visual sexing difficult for observers. This species belongs to the group of spiny eels found across Southeast Asia.
Where it lives
Native populations inhabit the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins. These waters flow through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The fish prefers slow-moving backwaters such as swamps, canals and ponds with sandy or muddy beds. An invasive population exists in the Everglades region of Florida. These non-native eels were first recorded in the C-111 canal in 2002 and later in southern mangrove swamps in 2004.
How it lives
This eel feeds on small aquatic animals. Its diet consists mainly of tiny crustaceans, annelid worms and other small fish. It requires a soft bottom environment to bury itself, which likely helps it avoid predators and ambush prey. The species is active in freshwater habitats but has shown adaptability by establishing itself in brackish mangrove areas in Florida.
Breeding and life cycle
Reproduction occurs during the wet season. Spawning coincides with the flooding of adjacent forests, which provides suitable conditions for the young. After hatching, the larvae grow rapidly. They reach a length of 8 cm within approximately 60 days. This fast early growth helps them survive in their dynamic floodplain environments.
Fish and people
The peacock eel holds commercial value in its native range as a food fish. It is also widely traded for home aquariums due to its unique appearance and behaviour. However, the aquarium trade has led to ecological issues elsewhere. Released pets have established an invasive population in Florida, where they now inhabit canals and mangrove swamps.
Questions people ask about Peacock eel
How big do peacock eels get?
They can reach a maximum standard length of 30 cm. However, most individuals are smaller, with 20 cm being a more common size for adults in the wild.
Where are peacock eels found?
They are native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. An invasive population also lives in the Everglades of Florida.
What do peacock eels eat?
Their diet consists of small aquatic creatures. They primarily feed on small crustaceans, annelid worms and other small fish found in their habitat.
Good reading and sources
- Macrognathus siamensis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Macrognathus siamensis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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