Mastacembelus
| Mastacembelus | |
|---|---|
| Mastacembelus moorii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Synbranchiformes |
| Family: | Mastacembelidae |
| Genus: | Mastacembelus Scopoli, 1777 |
| Type species | |
| Ophidium mastacembelus J. Banks & Solander, 1794 | |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Mastacembelus is a genus of many species of spiny eel fish from the family Mastacembelidae. They are native to Africa (c. 45 species) and Asia (c. 15 species). Most are found in rivers and associated systems (even in rapids), but there are also species in other freshwater habitats and a particularly rich radiation is found in the Lake Tanganyika basin with 15 species (14 endemic). A few species can even occur in brackish water.