How to Identify Striped Eel Catfish

To identify Striped Eel Catfish (Plotosus lineatus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

eel-like

Coloration

Juveniles are typically dark brown to black with two to three prominent white or yellow longitudinal stripes running from the snout to the caudal fin. Adults tend to be more uniformly dark brown or grey, with the stripes becoming less distinct or fading entirely. The belly is usually lighter.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Eel-like body form, Four pairs of barbels around the mouth (two nasal, two maxillary, two mandibular), Continuous dorsal, caudal, and anal fins forming a single fin fold, Venomous spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins

Dorsal fin

The first dorsal fin is short and triangular, followed by a long, low second dorsal fin that is confluent with the caudal and anal fins.

Tail fin

Rounded to slightly pointed, continuous with the second dorsal and anal fins.

Pectoral fin

Relatively small, located just behind the head, each with a strong, serrated venomous spine.

Distinctive fins

The second dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are fused into a single, continuous fin, giving it an eel-like appearance. The first dorsal fin and pectoral fins each possess a sharp, venomous spine.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape

   Look for the distinctive elongated, eel-like body.

2. 2

   Stripes

   Juveniles have prominent white or yellow longitudinal stripes on a dark body. These fade in adults.

3. 3

   Fin Structure

   Observe the continuous fin fold formed by the second dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. Note the presence of a separate, short first dorsal fin.

4. 4

   Barbels

   Four pairs of barbels around the mouth are characteristic of catfish.

5. 5

   Schooling Behavior

   Juveniles are almost always seen in dense, ball-like schools, a unique behavior among marine fish.

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