Asian swamp eel
📖 Overview
Obligate air-breathing ; Found in hill streams to lowland wetlands often occurring in ephemeral waters . Adults are found in medium to large rivers, flooded fields and stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals , in streamlets and estuaries . Benthic , burrowing in moist earth in dry season surviving for long periods without water (Ref 2686). 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 . Nocturnal predators devouring fishes, worms, crustaceans, and other small aquatic animals ; also feed on detritus. Are protandrous hermaphrodites. The male guards and builds nest or burrow . Marketed fresh and can be kept alive for long periods of time as long as the skin is kept moist . Good flesh . Important fisheries throughout Southeast Asia .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
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 . Rice paddy eels are red to brown with a sprinkling of dark flecks across their backs; large mouths and small eyes .: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Asian swamp eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Asian swamp eel is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Male builds a large free-floating bubblenest among the submerged vegetation close to the shoreline; eggs are spat into the nest after being laid; male guards the nest and continues to guard the young after hatching till they are on their own . Spawning occurs in shallow water . Sex reversal is completed in 8-30 weeks .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous ; depth range 3 - ? m . Tropical; 25°C - 28°C ; 34°N - 6°S
🌿 Ecology
detritus
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Asian swamp eel is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 100 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Asian swamp eel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Asian swamp eel · Belut · Lai · Pa lai · rice eel · Rice Eel Kiwet · Rice Field Eel · Rice Paddy Eel · rice swampeel · swamp eel · White Rice-field Eel · white ricefield eel |
| 🌍IND | Belut |
| 🌍JAV | Welut |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Ta-unagi · Taunagi · タウナギ |
| 🌍KHM | អន្ទង់ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 드렁허리 |
| 🌍LAO | I'en · Ian |
| 🌍MSA | Belut · Ikan Belut |
| 🌍THA | Lai · Pla Lai · ปลาไหล |
| 🌍VIE | Con lu'o'n · Luon · Lươn đồng |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 鳝鱼 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aptergia immaculata | Basilewsky | 1855 | Synonym |
| Aptergia nigromaculata | Basilewsky | 1855 | Synonym |
| Apterigia immaculata | Basilewsky | 1855 | Synonym |
| Apterigia nigromaculata | Basilewsky | 1855 | Synonym |
| Apterigia saccogularis | Basilewsky | 1855 | Synonym |
| Cryptophthalmus robustus | Franz | 1910 | Synonym |
| Fluta alba | Zuiew | 1793 | Synonym |
| Gymnotus albus | Zuiew | 1789 | Heterotypic |
| Monopterus cinereus | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Monopterus helvolus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Monopterus javanensis | Lacepède | 1800 | Synonym |
| Monopterus laevis | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
| Monopterus marmoratus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Monopterus xanthognathus | Richardson | 1845 | Synonym |
| Muraena alba | Zuiew | 1793 | Synonym |
| Ophicardia phayriana | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Ophicardia phyariana | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Ophicardia xanthognatha | Richardson | 1845 | Synonym |
| Pneumabranchus cinereus | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Symbranchus grammicus | Cantor | 1842 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus grammicus | Cantor | 1842 | Synonym |
| Synbranchus xanthognathus | Richardson | 1845 | Synonym |
| Unibranchapertura laevis | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 63 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Asian swamp eel ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.