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Here are a few sites I have found
General Info on Spiny eels
Peacock Spiny eel Breeding
Tanganyikan eel Egg Laying
Spiny eel Reproduction FAQ
I had a difficult time locating info previously and found some useful search keys to try that garnered different results.
Afromastacembelus and Aethiomastacembelus were both older genus names for the African branches, they have since been reclassified back into the main branch of the family. Many sites and persons continue to use their older family names and even exporters are not familiar with their current latin names and classifications. Even searching 'Spiny eel' gets different results as many are unaware or mispell the genus names so badly they are literally unsearchable. Hope this offers some hope and ideas.
I myself have overlooked Asiatic Spiny Eels and their reproduction appears to be tied to monsoon seasons. Thus heavy soft water changes and possibly minor electrical changes in water chemistry trigger breeding in most accounts. The lack of breeding in aquarium settings is in my opinion less to do with difficulty and far more to do with most folks not stocking densely enough (3-6 individuals at least on the hopes of getting 1 pair) and lack of space as these require large tanks to reach adulthood. Most accounts from the wild Asiatic species suggest an embrace of the adults. Given that info, I could see it being applied to the African members. Water parameters are very constant in the lake, so they should reproduce in a tank offering the lakes steady parameters. It could be possible that the rainy season triggers their spawn as well, even streams and inlets with a softer water inducing the adults to spawn. There are a few accounts of eggs being found in the sand near or under rocks in tanks, if so then they should spawn in a general tank enviroment. Group spawning has been observed in the wild with many Mastecembelid eels and could be found in the Tanganyikan species as well. Feeding and Lighting could also play a role, especially if they are a seasonal spawner. Try altering the lighting over a few months to reproduce a winter/summer shift and see if it does anything for them. Not sure what the trick is, but just a few different ideas that might yield results. Good Luck and crossing my fingers for you!
General Info on Spiny eels
Peacock Spiny eel Breeding
Tanganyikan eel Egg Laying
Spiny eel Reproduction FAQ
I had a difficult time locating info previously and found some useful search keys to try that garnered different results.
Afromastacembelus and Aethiomastacembelus were both older genus names for the African branches, they have since been reclassified back into the main branch of the family. Many sites and persons continue to use their older family names and even exporters are not familiar with their current latin names and classifications. Even searching 'Spiny eel' gets different results as many are unaware or mispell the genus names so badly they are literally unsearchable. Hope this offers some hope and ideas.
I myself have overlooked Asiatic Spiny Eels and their reproduction appears to be tied to monsoon seasons. Thus heavy soft water changes and possibly minor electrical changes in water chemistry trigger breeding in most accounts. The lack of breeding in aquarium settings is in my opinion less to do with difficulty and far more to do with most folks not stocking densely enough (3-6 individuals at least on the hopes of getting 1 pair) and lack of space as these require large tanks to reach adulthood. Most accounts from the wild Asiatic species suggest an embrace of the adults. Given that info, I could see it being applied to the African members. Water parameters are very constant in the lake, so they should reproduce in a tank offering the lakes steady parameters. It could be possible that the rainy season triggers their spawn as well, even streams and inlets with a softer water inducing the adults to spawn. There are a few accounts of eggs being found in the sand near or under rocks in tanks, if so then they should spawn in a general tank enviroment. Group spawning has been observed in the wild with many Mastecembelid eels and could be found in the Tanganyikan species as well. Feeding and Lighting could also play a role, especially if they are a seasonal spawner. Try altering the lighting over a few months to reproduce a winter/summer shift and see if it does anything for them. Not sure what the trick is, but just a few different ideas that might yield results. Good Luck and crossing my fingers for you!
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