Plotosus lineatus
| Identification | The Striped Eel Catfish — an eel-like catfish with barbels and bold white-and-black horizontal stripes as a juvenile (fading with age). Juveniles gather in dense, writhing ball-shaped schools. |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | to 12″+ (large) |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific |
| Minimum Tank Size | 75 Gal.+ |
| Reef Compatibility | Not reef safe (with caution) |
Behavior
Juveniles school in a spectacular tight “catfish ball,” while adults become large, solitary and predatory. It is a hardy nocturnal scavenger, but grows into a big, hazardous animal.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivore and scavenger. Takes meaty foods, worms and sinking pellets; feed juveniles as a group.
Cautions
VENOMOUS — the dorsal and pectoral spines deliver a serious, medically significant sting; handle with extreme care. Grows large and eats small fish, shrimp and snails. Keep the schooling juveniles together, as lone individuals fail.