Macrognathus ID help?

[magpie]

Just picked up this eel today. It was labeled “spiny eel (peacock)”. But to me it doesn’t look like a peacock. That being said, I have very little spiny eel experience. Do the juveniles look like this? Or is this more likely another type like circumcinctus?

It’s not very shy (even on day 1), doesn’t seem to burrow, and the patterns look wrong to me for a peacock, however I don’t know peacocks - so maybe this is just a juvenile pattern?

It’s about 2ish inches.

 

[Hendre]

Not sure what it is but looks super cute!

 

[magpie]

It is!

 

[kno4te]

Looks M. Circumcintus.

 

[magpie]

Looks M. Circumcintus.

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure how much markings changed as they aged.

Cool - that's what I wanted! They're supposedly less shy than peacocks. This one has just been dropped into a new tank and still hasn't burrowed (unless he did over night), and has been out exploring all over, including up the branches and plants.

 

[thefredpit]

welcome to the world of spiny eels magpie

 

[magpie]

Thanks Fred! My dream fish is a fire eel, so this is a way to baby step into it with a mini spiny eel. I'm just happy this one is outgoing.

 

[thefredpit]

well when you get your first fire eel let me recommend you starting with one 10" or more so you skip the smaller food stage since it can be a pain to switch their foods

 

[magpie]

I've read that they can be hard to get started. I'm not sure I'll ever have one... I feel like they need a 300 and I'm not sure I'll ever realistically get a tank that large.

 

[magpie]

Just walked by the tank and he was literally front and center. This has been my hesitation with smaller spiny eels - I've heard that they're not seen very often.

Will have to think of a name for the little dude. Can you visually sex them?