Latin name | Plotosus lineatus - (Thunberg, 1787) |
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Local name | Striped eel catfish |
Family | Plotosidae - Plotosus |
Origin | East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia, East Pacific, New Zealand, Central/West Pacific |
Max length | 32 cm (12.6") |
Minimum volume | 600 l (158 gal) |
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Hardiness | Hardy |
Suitable for aquarium | Suitable with care |
Reef safe | Reef safe with caution |
Aggressiveness | Peaceful |
Recommended |
Fish Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Other invertebrates Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) |
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This species can be a threat for small fishes, crustaceans, worms, snails etc.
This species searches through the sand for food, which can make the water cloudy and shakes up detritus.
In an aquarium their natural food source in the sand is quickly exhausted.
This species is highly venomous and this venom can, under certain circumstances, be fatal.
In case of poisoning, it is vital to have as much information as possible regarding the species/poison. Have telephone number for the poison hotline close to the aquarium.
Since people can have different reactions to poisons, take precautions necessary to ensure your safety and that of your surroundings.
This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added.
When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding.
These fish thrive best in a large or small shoal.
When young these fish are mostly black, but become brownish with white or yellow stripes.
There is only species (Plotosus lineatus) in the Eeltail catfish (Plotosidae) genus that lives on the coral reef.
Eeltail catfish are excellent at removing leftover food and dirt from the aquarium.
These fish have poisonous spines by the dorsal and pectoral fins, so care should be taken whith handling. Their poison can be dangerous for humans, especially if one is stung multiple times.
They have a lovely appearance when young, but are less attractive as adults.
Unless kept in a group, they will remain hidden.
Eeltail catfish can swallow both fish and invertebrates in one go.
Aquarium trade | Yes |
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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 (Ref. 1602). Sometimes enters freshwaters of East Africa (Lake Mala |
Danish common names |
Stribet koralmalle |
English common names |
Striped catfish Striped eel catfish Stripped catfish Striped sea catfish Catfish-eel |
German common names |
Korallenwels |
French common names |
Mâchoiron Poisson-chat de mer rayé |
Scott W. Michael. 2001. Reef Fishes volume 1 - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Striped Eel Catfish - Aquatic Community - (English)
Plotosus lineatus - Tropical Fish Hobbyist - (English)
Minimum volume
"Minimum volume" indicates the size of the tank needed to house this species under optimal conditions.
This is based on a medium size animal, which you want to keep for several years.
It might be possible to keep smaller specimens for a limited period in a smaller tank. A larger tank might be needed for fully-grown specimens.
Hardiness
"Hardiness" indicates how resistant this species is to disease and how well i tolerates bad conditions in general.
Some species doesn't handle transportation very well, but that doesn't mean that the species isn't hardy under the right conditions.
Suitable for aquarium
In this case, a "normal" aquarium is a reef aquarium with mixed corals or a fish only aquarium with an approximately salinity of 1.026 (sg) and a temperature close to 26°C.
Species requiring more than a 4000-liter tank are considered not suitable for home aquarium.
Special aquariums may cover tanks with low salinity, sub-tropical temperature, deep sand bed, sea grass etc.
Reef safe
Always reef safe: No sources indicate that this species will harm corals or other invertebrates.
Often reef safe: Only a few aquarists has reported problems keeping this species with corals and other invertebrates.
Reef safe with caution: This species may be a threat to some types of invertebrates.
Reef safe with luck: Most specimens will harm corals and/or other invertebrates, but you might be lucky.
Not reef safe: This species is a threat to most corals and/or other invertebrates.