Mastacembelus simack (Walbaum, 1792)

Mastacembelus simack View in CoL

Common name. Mesopotamian spiny eel.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from Anguilla species in West Asia by ● movable nasal appendix / ● marbled body colour / ● dorsal and anal spines present. Size up to 1000 mm SL, usually up to 400 mm SL.

Distribution. Qweiq, Euphrates, Tigris, and Karun drainages and tributaries to Persian Gulf in Iran south to Helleh and Dalaki.

Habitat. Reservoirs, large rivers, up to small mountain streams. Often very common in rapids and riffles in fast-flowing waters.

Biology. Lives up to 21 years. Matures at 2 years, measuring about 250 mm SL and 125 g. Spawns May–July in shallow water between rocks or vegetation. Predatory, juveniles feed on benthic invertebrates, and adults mainly feed on fish and shrimp. Often hides during day in gravel in riffles, roots or caverns of various kinds but may also lie motionless on bottom in bright sunshine, camouflaged in shallow areas to prey on small fish.

Conservation status. LC; extirpated from Qweiq.

Remarks. Often still found as M. mastacembelus , which is a synonym. Records from the Kor, an endorheic drainage

in central Iran, and the Orontes could not be confirmed. Russell (1756) reported that this fish was “found in great abundance” and was “esteemed a lighter and more delicate food” than the eel at Aleppo. Spiny eels are often seen in fish markets of Syrian cities in Orontes drainage, imported from the Euphrates.

Further reading. Russell 1756 (value as food); Coad 2010a (biology); Coad 2015b (distribution, biology); Kottelat 2022 ( M. simack ).

The Tigris at Şırnak in Türkiye, the habitat of Mastacembelus simack and many other river fishes.