Page 114 - Invasive_Species_2013

Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

FISHES

Reproduction Common name: Striped eel catfish

identification Venomous serrated spines White stripes along body

Scientific Name:
Plotosus lineatus
Picture

Key identifying features
Brief history
Adult fish can reach lengths of about 32 cm,
commonly 10–25 cm. The body is long and
cylindrical, flattening into an eel-like tail. It has no 4 pairs of barbels
scales. The body is brown with two narrow white
stripes along each side, one running above the eye
and the other below; the belly is white.

Two dorsal fins are present. There is a venomous
The juveniles form dense schools, sometimes
serrated spine in the first dorsal fin and in each of the containing hundreds of individuals. The adults,
pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin is short, with 1 stout however, are solitary or occur in smaller groups of
spine and 4 soft rays, and the second dorsal fin is around 20 individuals and are known to hide under
long (85–105 soft rays) and confluent with the anal rock ledges during the day.
fin (70–81 soft rays). The adults are usually seen stirring the sand
The head is round, large and broad, with a mouth incessantly for crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and
sometimes fishes.
surrounded by 4 pairs of barbels, one nasal pair, one
maxillary pair and two pairs on the lower jaw.
Reproduction
Striped eel catfish reaches sexual maturity after 1–3
Field identification signs and habitat years, at a length of 140 mm. Spawning in Israel
This is the only catfish found in estuaries, lagoons occurs in the spring and recruitment from July to
and open coasts of of sandy and muddy habitats. September.

Plotosus lineatus. Photo: B. Galil

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