BLACK SPOTTED OR TIRE TRACK EELS?

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VIPER006962948

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2012
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West Frankfort Il, 62896
I purchased these 2 eels from my lfs 1mo ago. I wad told that they were BLACK SPOTTED EELS however I am starting to believe that one or both maybe TIRE TRACK EEL. Please take a look for yourself and let me know what you think.
Eel #1
uploadfromtaptalk1336615748656.jpguploadfromtaptalk1336615795211.jpg
Eel #2 I believe is a tire track eel
uploadfromtaptalk1336616012661.jpguploadfromtaptalk1336615847484.jpg
My fire eel with my other two eels.
uploadfromtaptalk1336616439339.jpg

uploadfromtaptalk1336615708126.jpg
 
Yep, both are Mastacembelus dayi.
twilight zone said:
They are both black spotted eels. They have a more pointed head. I had one that got up to 18" before I lost it. I think my tire track eel went after it too much.
Click to expand...
I still don't see the "pointed head" thing, and I don't understand why such a subtle difference (assuming there is a difference) would be used to distinguish the two when there is such a drastic difference in coloration.
 
I'm not trying to dispute anyone, however ive been searching the net an saw several tt that look like the eel#2 pics. What are the primary differences between black spotted and tire track eels?
 
jclyde13 said:
Yep, both are Mastacembelus dayi.

I still don't see the "pointed head" thing, and I don't understand why such a subtle difference (assuming there is a difference) would be used to distinguish the two when there is such a drastic difference in coloration.
Click to expand...

Some tire tracks have similar patterns or less defined patterns that make them looks similar especially on smaller eels. If you look closely, the overall shape of the head and mouth looks more elongated if you were to compare it to a tire track.
 
twilight zone said:
Some tire tracks have similar patterns or less defined patterns that make them looks similar especially on smaller eels. If you look closely, the overall shape of the head and mouth looks more elongated if you were to compare it to a tire track.
Click to expand...

It isn't very common to find a tire track with so few markings that it could be easily mistaken for M. dayi, and when looking at a fish that has very well defined spots like this one, the markings alone are enough to get an accurate ID.


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