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Scientific Name Plotosus lineatus  (Thunberg, 1787)
Common Names Striped Eel Catfish
Coral Catfish, Marine Catfish, Stribet Koralmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Eastern Indian Ocean.
Synonym(s) Platystacus anguillaris, Plotoseus ikapor, Plotosus anguillaris, Plotosus arab, Plotosus castaneoides, Plotosus castaneus, Plotosus flavolineatus, Plotosus marginatus, Plotosus thunbergianus, Plotosus vittatus, Silurus arab, Silurus lineatus
Pronunciation Ploh toe suss - lean ee ah tuss
Etymology The generic name comes from the Greek plotos, meaning swimming. The specific epithet comes from the Latin linea, meaning line, in reference to the striped colour pattern of this species.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 320mm or 12.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Juveniles are easily distinguished by the distinctive striped colour pattern. The stripes tend to fade in adults, although they are still faintly visible in most cases. Otherwise distinguished by a moderately compressed head, and 85-105 total median fin rays.
General Remarks The only catfish found in coral reefs. The highly venomous serrate spine of the first dorsal and each of the pectoral fins are dangerous, and even fatal in rare cases.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, southern Korea, and the Ogasawara Islands, south to Australia and Lord Howe Island. Palau and Yap in Micronesia. Sometimes enters freshwaters of East Africa (Lake Malawi) and Madagascar.
Indian Ocean (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Pacific (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Not Evaluated
pH 8.0 - 8.6
Temperature 20.0-27.0°C or 68-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Needs saltwater, although it can survive in freshwater for brief periods. Salinity should be between 1.023 to 1.025.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding All kinds of food (fresh, frozen, pellets) taken with gusto. May also eat small fishes. User data.
Furniture A sand / gravel and coral / rock rubble substrate preferred. Make sure that there is enough rockwork for the fish to hide in during the day.
Compatibility Fairly peaceful and compatible with most fish of equal size or larger in a marine setup. Juveniles are very sociable and aggregate in schools of more than a hundred individuals. Adults are best kept in a small group.
Breeding This species spawns during the summer months. The males construct nests in shallow, rocky areas and guard the small eggs (3-3.5 mm in diameter).
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Museum naturalium Academiae Upsaliensis. ... Praesidae, pp 31, footnote 13.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Oct 24 04:46 (species record created: 2001 Apr 24 00:00)