The purple spaghetti eel (Moringua raitaborua) is a long, slender fish with a purplish or pinkish hue, resembling a strand of spaghetti. It has an extremely elongated, stubby body with a small, inconspicuous head and can grow up to 16 inches long. These carnivorous fish are native to tropical rivers and estuaries in Southeast Asia and are known for burrowing in soft substrates.
Physical characteristics
Body shape: Extremely elongated and stubby, with a length-to-depth ratio of 31-45 times its total length.
Head: Very small and inconspicuous, with its length being about 8-10 times its total length.
Color: Ranges from purple to a lighter tan.
Size: Can reach up to 15–16 inches in length.
Habitat and behavior
Native range: Found in freshwater and brackish environments like rivers, swamps, and estuaries in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Burrowing: A burrowing species that hides in soft, sandy substrates.
Adaptability: Adapted to habitats with fluctuating salinity, pH levels, and low oxygen conditions.
Compatibility: Generally not aggressive towards tankmates too large to be eaten, but should not be housed with overly aggressive fish that may damage their fins.
Diet
Carnivorous: Feeds on insects, small fish, and crustaceans in the wild.
Aquarium diet: Will typically accept frozen foods and may need live foods like ghost shrimp to start, especially in captivity.
The purple spaghetti eel (Moringua raitaborua) is a long, slender fish with a purplish or pinkish hue, resembling a strand of spaghetti. It has an extremely elongated, stubby body with a small, inconspicuous head and can grow up to 16 inches long. These carnivorous fish are native to tropical rivers and estuaries in Southeast Asia and are known for burrowing in soft substrates.
Physical characteristics
Body shape: Extremely elongated and stubby, with a length-to-depth ratio of 31-45 times its total length.
Head: Very small and inconspicuous, with its length being about 8-10 times its total length.
Color: Ranges from purple to a lighter tan.
Size: Can reach up to 15–16 inches in length.
Habitat and behavior
Native range: Found in freshwater and brackish environments like rivers, swamps, and estuaries in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Burrowing: A burrowing species that hides in soft, sandy substrates.
Adaptability: Adapted to habitats with fluctuating salinity, pH levels, and low oxygen conditions.
Compatibility: Generally not aggressive towards tankmates too large to be eaten, but should not be housed with overly aggressive fish that may damage their fins.
Diet
Carnivorous: Feeds on insects, small fish, and crustaceans in the wild.
Aquarium diet: Will typically accept frozen foods and may need live foods like ghost shrimp to start, especially in captivity.
