/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/1.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(1) - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/2.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(2) - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/3.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(3) - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/4.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(4) Adult - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/5.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(5) - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/6.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(6) - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/7.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(7) Stamp - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/8.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(8) Stamp - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/plotosus/lineatus/9.jpg "Plotosus lineatus(9) Stamp - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787) |
| Common Name(s) | Coral Catfish, Marine Catfish, Striped Eel Catfish |
| Type Locality | 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. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 300mm (11.8") 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. |
| 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. Indian Ocean (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) Pacific  (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 8.0 - 8.6 |
| Temperature | 20.0-27.0°C or 68-80.6°F (Show others 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. |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | All kinds of food (fresh, frozen, pellets) taken with gusto. May also eat small fishes. |
| 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). |
| Further Information | |
| References | Mus. Acad. Upsaliensis.Part 1 - pp31, footnote 13 |
| Registered Keepers | None.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
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| Hits | 8219 hits. |
| Last Update | 2005 Nov 06 00:00 (species record created: 2001 Apr 24 00:00) |
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