With their distinctive zig-zag patterns and almost comical facial expressions, Zig Zag Eels have endeared themselves to aquarium enthusiasts who appreciate unique freshwater fish. But caring for these nocturnal, burrowing carnivores requires an aquarium habitat tailored specifically for their needs. This ultimate guide dives into everything you need to know to successfully keep fascinating Zig Zag Eels in your home fish tank.
What is a Zig Zag Eel?
Zig Zag Eels belong to the family Mastacembelidae and go by the scientific name of Mastacembelus armatus. They are a tropical freshwater species native to lakes and rivers in parts of Southeast Asia.
As their name suggests, Zig Zag Eels feature a prominent zig-zag or wavy pattern along their elongated bodies. Their colors range from golden brown to olive green with darker crossbands along their sides. They have pronounced pointed snouts and a wide mouth that extends behind their eyes. Their eyes appear to bulge outward, giving them a unique facial profile.
In the home aquarium, Zig Zag Eels grow to an average adult length around 2 feet long. They are generally a peaceful species but require certain care parameters to thrive.
Natural Habitat and Behavior
In the wild, Zig Zag Eels inhabit slow-moving rivers, streams, lakes, and rice paddies. They prefer soft, acidic waters with plenty of plant cover and access to sandy or muddy substrates.
Zig Zags are nocturnal predators that remain burrowed in muddy substrates or vegetation during the day. At night they emerge to hunt for small fish, insects, worms, and crustaceans. They swim in a wavy, serpentine motion and use their excellent sense of smell to track down prey in murky waters.
Zig Zag Eels tend to be solitary fish that are somewhat territorial around their burrows and hiding spots. They are not schooling fish but generally get along fine with other peaceful tank mates in the home aquarium. Providing them proper burrowing opportunities helps curb aggression and territorial disputes.
Aquarium Requirements
Replicating key elements of their natural habitat in home aquariums is crucial to successfully keeping healthy Zig Zag Eels long-term:
Tank Size and Setup
- Minimum tank size is 55 gallons for one Zig Zag Eel, larger is better. They need horizontal swimming room.
- Tank lid or cover is a must – Zig Zags can jump and escape otherwise!
- Allow for generous 3-4 inches of soft sand substrate for burrowing.
- Include plenty of structures -bogwood, rocks, tunnels, and plants to replicate their habitat.
- Dim lighting to mimic their nocturnal nature.
Water Quality
- Soft, slightly acidic water with pH between 6.0-7.2, hardness to 5 dGH suits them best.
- Temperature between 75-82°F. They do best in warm water.
- Efficient filtration and weekly 25% water changes keep their water clean since they are messy eaters.
Substrate
- Soft sandy substrates or very fine gravel at least 3 inches deep is crucial provide for natural burrowing behavior.
- Pool filter sand or extremely fine aquarium gravel best mimics their wild habitat. Avoid sharp substrates.
- Slope substrate deeper in rear around structures to help provide burrowing opportunities.
Decorations
- Include tunnels, rocks and bogwood leaning on rear glass to create shady overhangs for burrowing spots.
- Floating plants help dim light and provide overhead cover as found in their wild habitat.
- Plant rooted plants densely around burrowing zones to replicate natural surroundings.
Diet
As carnivores, Zig Zag Eels thrive best on a varied meaty diet:
- Live foods like small feeder fish, blackworms, brine shrimp satisfy their hunting instincts.
- Frozen foods like blood worms, mysis shrimp, glassworms, brine shrimp ( thawed before feeding).
- Sinking carnivore pellets, frozen meat mixtures like lancefish.
- Avoid goldfish as feeders due to parasite risks. Quarantine all live foods first.
- Feed at night when they are active. Feed adults every 2-3 days, juveniles more often.
- Allow a few minutes for food to sink to the bottom so middle and bottom dwelling fish can access it before it is consumed.
Tankmates
Zig Zag Eels can coexist with other peaceful community fish, given a few precautions:
- Avoid fin nippers that may bother slower moving eels, like tiger barbs.
- Do not keep with extremely small fish like neon tetras that may be seen as prey.
- Bottom dwelling fish like catfish are fine provided there are sufficient shelters and burrows.
- Semi-aggressive cichlids may clash over territory. Avoid most cichlids.
- Larger characins, danios, rasboras, silver dollars make suitable active tankmates.
- Invertebrates may be viewed as food – avoid shrimp, snails.
- House Zig Zags alone or with medium sized tankmates that won’t be viewed as prey.
Breeding
Breeding Zig Zag Eels in home aquariums is extremely challenging:
- No successful reports of breeding in captivity exist, only within their native range.
- In the wild, adults migrate into flooded fields to spawn during monsoons. No parental care.
- If attempting to breed, provide rainwater simulation, very soft water under 68°F and live foods to stimulate spawning.
- Fry are microscopic at hatching and require infusoria and green water to feed on. Extremely difficult to rear.
- Breeding Zig Zags remains elusive. Focus instead on optimizing their intricate aquarium habitat and care.
Lifespan and Common Health Problems
Given proper care, Zig Zag Eels can live 8-10 years in home aquariums. Some potential health issues include:
Scrapes and wounds – from sharp or coarse substrates. Use only soft fine sands. Smooth decor.
Skin flukes – Use quarantine, disinfect décor. Treat with API General Cure if seen on skin.
Fungal Infections – Displayed as white cottony growths. Improve water quality and apply antifungal medications.
Intestinal parasites – From live foods. Quarantine feeders. Use deworming medications like MetroPlex periodically.
Escaping– Ensure tank is fully covered! They can jump and climb surprising distances.
Failure to thrive – Usually indicates incorrect water parameters or lack of burrowing opportunities. Ensure soft, warm, acidic water and fine substrates.
With their unique looks, intriguing nocturnal behaviors, and communal nature, Zig Zag Eels can make fascinating additions to community aquariums when provided with proper care that caters to their wild instincts. Follow this guide to create the ideal habitat, diet, tankmates, and care strategies to keep them healthy and happily burrowing for years to come. Their antics will surely bring lots of personality to your freshwater tank!
