Plotosus lineatus, striped catfish

Plotosus lineatus Thunberg 1791

striped catfish

Juvenile Striped Catfish, Plotosus lineatus, are found as a writhing mass, which from a distance looks like a single organism. They are dark with cream stripes and several barbels around the mouth. They eat benthic invertebrates, those at top of the ball wait whilst those at the bottom feed.

They have venomous spines.

Adults are found in smaller groups or singly. They are nocturnal, living on small fish an invertebrates

Distribution Widespread, Indo-Pacific, northern Australia, Sydney to Esperance
Max size 35cms
Family Plotosidae - eel-tail catfishes