Family : Synbranchidae (Swamp-eels)
Order : Synbranchiformes  (spiny eels)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Swamp eel
Fish Name : Monopterus albus
Max size : 100.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 2686)
Environment : demersal; potamodromous ; depth range - 3 m
Climate : tropical; 25 - 28°C; 34°N - 6°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,000)Distribution : Asia: India to China, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Probably occurring in Bangladesh.
Diagnosis : Anguilliform body; no scales; no pectoral and pelvic fins; dorsal, caudal and anal fins confluent and reduced to a skin fold; gill openings merged into single slit underneath the head (Ref. 27732). Rice paddy eels are red to brown with a sprinkling of dark flecks across their backs; large mouths and small eyes (Ref. 44091).
Biology : Found in hill streams to lowland wetlands (Ref. 57235). Occurs in streamlets, canals and estuaries (Ref. 41236). Lives in muddy ponds, swamps and rice fields; burrows in moist earth in dry season surviving for long periods without water (Ref 2686). Common in rice paddies (Ref. 12693). Inhabits still water of swamps and ponds, but sometimes found in gently flowing streams. Often occurs in ephemeral waters (Ref. 44894). Occasionally dug out in old taro fields, in Hawaii, long after the field has been drained; more frequently observed in stream clearing operations using heavy equipment to remove large amounts of silt and vegetation where the eels are hidden (Ref. 44091). Found in medium to large rivers, flooded fields and stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Nocturnal predator devouring fishes, worms, crustaceans, and other small aquatic animals (Ref. 44091); also feeds on detritus. During the dry season the deepest parts of swamps are excavated to find them. Marketed fresh and can be kept alive for long periods of time as long as the skin is kept moist (Ref. 12693). Good flesh (Ref. 2686). Protandrous hermaphrodite. Important fisheries throughout Southeast Asia (Ref. 57235)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Fávorito, Sandra
Main Ref : Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran. 1991. (Ref. 4833)

India country information
Common Names : Rice swampeel
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater, brackish
Uses : no uses