Gray Eel Catfish

Plotosus canius

Also known as: Barbel Eel Catfish, Black Eeltail Catfish, Blacktip Catfish, Canine Eel Catfish, Eel Catfish, Eel-tailed Catfish, Indian Catfish, Hamilton's Eel Catfish, Striped Catfish Eel

ALSO KNOWN AS

Barbel Eel Catfish
Black Eeltail Catfish
Blacktip Catfish
Canine Eel Catfish
Eel Catfish
Eel-tailed Catfish
Indian Catfish
Hamilton's Eel Catfish
Striped Catfish Eel

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2024

VenomousKeep your distance

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Gray Eel Catfish adult, photographed at in my own bungalow, Thailand — @neanderthal · in my own bungalow, Thailand · February 20141 / 1

Overview

Found in brackish and freshwaters waters, over estuaries, lagoons, lower parts of rivers and in coastal seas. They are bottom feeders and use the barbels around their mouth to detect food.
Juveniles form tightly packed dense schools for feeding which may contain hundreds of fish.

Catfish have venomous spines in the fins which can inflict painful wounds.
Stings from Plotosus lineatus may result in death.