Striped Catfish, Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1791)
Catfish Eel, Eel-tailed Catfish, Lined Catfish, Striped Catfish Eel, Striped Eel Catfish
Another common plotosid species which lives in temperate coastal Australian waters is the Estuary Catfish.
Introduction
The Striped Catfish can be recognised by its oral barbels and striped colouration. The species lives in bays and estuaries where it is usually seen in dense schools.
Identification
The Striped Catfish can be recognised by its striped colouration, barbels around the mouth, and its body shape which tapers to a point posteriorly. Small juveniles are black and large adults may be less distinctly striped.
Habitat
The species is usually found on protected reefs in coastal bays and estuaries (see comments below for sightings).
The video below, shows a school of juveniles swimming over a sandy bottom in a shallow coastal locality.
Distribution
The species is primarily tropical but has been recorded down the east and west coasts of Australia to Sydney, New South Wales and Esperance, Western Australia respectively. It lives in bays and estuaries where it is usually seen in dense schools.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Feeding and diet
It eats mainly benthic invertebrates and algae with larger individuals sometimes eating small fishes.
Economic impacts
Hutchins and Swainston (1986) gave the species a 3 star (good) edibility rating.
Danger to humans
The dorsal and pectoral fins have hidden venomous spines that can cause hours of intense pain and the risk of collapse from shock.
References
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Underhill, D. 1987. Australia's dangerous creatures. Reader's Digest Services. Pp. 368.