African spiny eel ID

[Leo1234]

i bought this eel as “African spiny eel”. It’s 7in long currently. I had some say it’s a half banded eel, but the eel is really long and its body shaped looks like the starry night eel I have in a separate tank.

What species do you think it is?

 

[kno4te]

Look like M frenatus.

 

[Balistik928]

Reminds me of a half band Spiny eel. Although, the face looks quite different from that. I'll try to research it a bit.

 

[Milingu]

I would say Mastacembelus loennbergii or frenatus.
It looks like it has hurt its nose/upper lip once.

What did it cost?
The most other African Mastacembelus are pretty expensive compared to loennbergii and frenatus.

 

[Leo1234]

I would say Mastacembelus loennbergii or frenatus.
It looks like it has hurt its nose/upper lip once.

What did it cost?
The most other African Mastacembelus are pretty expensive compared to loennbergii and frenatus.

It was $19.95. Unfortunately the eel died a week later. wish I could find another one

 

[Milingu]

That's a pity.

For that price at the shown size you can decently say that it is not from the great rift lakes.
I would still go with loennbergii or frenatus. Or maybe one of the species that sometimes comes as a bycatch.