Scientific Name:

Plotosus lineatus

Common Name:

Striped eel catfish

Taxonomic Group:

Fishes

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Information

Key Identifying Features

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 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 serrated spine in the first dorsal fin and in each of the pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin is short, with 1 stout spine and 4 soft rays, and the second dorsal fin is long (85–105 soft rays) and confluent with the anal fin (70–81 soft rays).

The head is round, large and broad, with a mouth surrounded by 4 pairs of barbels, one nasal pair, one maxillary pair and two pairs on the lower jaw.

Identification and Habitat

This is the only catfish found in estuaries, lagoons and open coasts of of sandy and muddy habitats.

The juveniles form dense schools, sometimes containing hundreds of individuals. The adults, however, are solitary or occur in smaller groups of around 20 individuals and are known to hide under rock ledges during the day.

The adults are usually seen stirring the sand incessantly for crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and sometimes fishes.

Reproduction

Striped eel catfish reaches sexual maturity after 1–3 years, at a length of 140 mm. Spawning in Israel occurs in the spring and recruitment from July to September.

Similar Species Description

The four pairs of barbels together with the shape and colour of this catfish distinguish it from any other Mediterranean fish species.

History and Route of Introduction

This is an Indo-Pacific species, occurring in the Red Sea and East Africa eastwards to Japan, Australia and Micronesia. It entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, and was first found in Israel in 2002 by trawlers. Within 3 years, it had spread along the entire Israeli coast and it now inhabits all sandy and muddy substrates down to depths of approximately 80 m.

Ecological Impacts

It is a carnivorous species that feeds mostly on benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs, polychaete worms and the occasional fish. The most dominant species consumed are other alien species from the Red Sea. It is thought that the increased abundance of these prey species may have set the stage for the catfish to migrate, resulting in a complete change to the native community structure.

Economic Impacts

Plotosus lineatus is taken as by-catch; however, there is no commercial value for this species because of the highly venomous serrate spine in the first dorsal and pectoral fins. The venom is dangerous, and even fatal in rare cases, posing a threat to fishermen. The striped eel catfish has however a significant commercial value in the aquarium industry.

Management Options

These include a) early eradication of new populations by MPA technicians through hand fishing, and b) maintenance of healthy and abundant assemblages of top predators to encourage natural control through predation.