Mastacembelidae
Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox
The Mastacembelidae are a family of fishes, known as the spiny eels. The Mastacembelids are part of the Order Synbranchiformes, the swamp eels, which are part of the Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
In an evaluation of the family in 2004, the subfamilies of Mastacembelidae were found to not be well supported and were rejected. Also, the genera Caecomastacembelus and Aethiomastacembelus were placed in synonymy with Mastacembelus.<ref name=eval>Template:Cite journal</ref>
These fish originate from Africa, and southern and eastern Asia.<ref name=eval/> Spiny eels generally inhabit soft-bottomed habitats in fresh and occasionally brackish water. Some species burrow in the substrate during the day or for certain months and have been found buried in soil in drying periods.<ref name=nelson/>
These fish have an eel-like body. The largest species can reach a maximum length of Template:Convert.<ref name=eval/> Very characteristic of this group is the long nose appendage with two tubulated nostrils.<ref name=eval/> Mastacembelids have a series of well-separated dorsal spines on their back, hence the name of their family, spiny eels.<ref name=eval/>
In some areas these fish are regarded as food fish. Several species of Mastacembelidae are aquarium fish, such as the fire eel.<ref name=nelson>Template:Cite book</ref>
A fossil specimen of an indeterminate mastacembelid is known from the Middle Miocene of Iki Island, Japan.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>