Akvarist
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Facts

Characteristics
Length
Up to 100 cm
Body shape
Eel-like
Care
Group
Missing
Smallest aquarium
21,000 liters
Diet
Missing

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Behavior
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Swims
Missing

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Water values
Temperature
Tolerates25–28 °C
pH
–
Smallest tank
168 cm500 cm250 cm
21,000 liters500 × 250 × 168 cmBased on one fish
Range
NativeIntroduced

Lives wild in Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong SAR China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, and 7 more countries.

Introduced to United States.

Monopterus albus – the Asian Swamp Eel

Oliver KnottMay 20, 2026

Swamp Eel - Monopterus albus #shorts

Oliver KnottSep 28, 2025

Monopterus albus #shorts

Oliver KnottAug 7, 2025

More about the species

Description

Found in hill streams to lowland wetlands often occurring in ephemeral waters. Adults are found in medium to large rivers, flooded fields and stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals, in streamlets and estuaries. Benthic, burrowing in moist earth in dry season surviving for long periods without water (Ref 2686). Occasionally dug out in old taro fields, in Hawaii, long after the field has been drained; more frequently observed in stream clearing operations using heavy equipment to remove large amounts of silt and vegetation where the eels are hidden. Nocturnal predators devouring fishes, worms, crustaceans, and other small aquatic animals; also feed on detritus. Are protandrous hermaphrodites. The male guards and builds nest or burrow. Marketed fresh and can be kept alive for long periods of time as long as the skin is kept moist. Good flesh. Important fisheries throughout Southeast Asia.

Other names

Other scientific names

  • Aptergia immaculata
  • Aptergia nigromaculata
  • Apterigia immaculata
  • Apterigia nigromaculata
  • Apterigia saccogularis
  • Fluta alba

In other languages

  • Risål
  • Risål
  • Risål
  • Täpläkutsa, Suoankerias
  • Belut, Lai, Rice (paddy) field eel, Rice eel, Rice paddy eel, Rice swampeel, Swamp eel

Articles

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