Plotosus lineatus, (Thunberg, 1787)
Plotosus lineatus, commonly known as the striped eel catfish, is a species of catfish belonging to the eeltail family Plotosidae. Like most other members of the genus, this species possesses highly venomous spines that can be used to sting when threatened; the venom can cause mild to severe symptoms in humans. This species is native to the Indo-Pacific but is now present in the Mediterranean via Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal.
Plotosus lineatus can reach a maximum length of 32 cm (13 in), and the body is brown with cream-colored or white longitudinal bands. The second dorsal, caudal and anal fins are fused together as in eels, but the rest of the body is quite similar to that of a freshwater catfish. The mouth is surrounded by four pairs of barbels, four on the upper jaw and four on the lower jaw. Each of the first dorsal and the pectoral fins has a highly venomous spine.
Plotosus lineatus occurs in the Indo-Pacific; this includes the western Pacific (e.g. Singapore). Since 2002, it has been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as well, and is now common from Levantine waters to the Gulf of Gabes. It sometimes enters freshwater ecosystems in East Africa and Madagascar.
Juveniles of Plotosus lineatus form dense ball-shaped schools of about 100 fish, while adults are solitary or occur in smaller groups of around 20 and are known to hide under ledges during the day. Adults search and stir the sand incessantly for crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and sometimes fish.
Plotosus lineatus is an oviparous fish; the eggs are demersal and upon hatching, fries become a part of zooplankton.
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