Top Fire Eel Fishing Countries

The Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) is a striking, elongated freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, easily recognized by its dark body adorned with vibrant red or orange markings. While popular in the aquarium trade for its unique appearance, the Fire Eel is also harvested for food in several countries. The top fire eel fishing countries are primarily Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where the species inhabits slow-moving rivers, swamps, and floodplains. In these nations, local fisheries target fire eels both for domestic consumption and for export, particularly to the ornamental fish market in Europe, North America, and East Asia. The fishing industry surrounding fire eels is mostly small-scale and artisanal, but overfishing and habitat loss have raised concerns about the sustainability of wild populations, prompting some countries to implement regulations and encourage aquaculture as an alternative.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.