Macrognathus

Taxobox
name = "Macrognathus"

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Macrognathus siamensis"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Synbranchiformes
familia = Mastacembelidae
genus = "Macrognathus"
genus_authority = Lacepède, 1800
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "M. aculeatus"
"M. aral"
"M. caudiocellatus"
"M. circumcinctus"
"M. guentheri"
"M. keithi"
"M. maculatus"
"M. malabaricus"
"M. meklongensis"
"M. morehensis"
"M. pancalus"
"M. semiocellatus"
"M. siamensis"
"M. taeniagaster"
"M. tapirus"
"M. zebrinus"

"Macrognathus" is a genus of eel-like fish of the family Mastacembelidae of the order Synbranchiformes.

These fish are distributed throughout most of India and Southeast Asia.cite journal|title=A Revision of the Asian Mastacembelid Fish Genus "Macrognathus"|first=Tyson R.|last=Roberts|journal=Copeia|year=1980|issue=3|pages=385–391|doi=10.2307/1444512|volume=1980] "Macrognathus" species feed on small aquatic insect larvae as well as oligochaetes.

Appearance and anatomy

"Macrognathus" species attain 20–25 centimetres (8–10 in).

"Macrognathus" are mostly similar to "Mastacembelus". However, they differ in a more modified rostrum, which may be slightly to significantly larger and longer than those found in "Mastacembelus". This serves not only to find food but also to help gather food.

In the aquarium

A number of species of this genus are popular aquarium fish. These include the lesser spiny eel, "Macrognathus aculeatus", the spotfinned spiny eel, "Macrognathus siamensis", as well as others.

References