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Hammer, M. P. et al 2026 (3)

Description: Body eel-like, moderately long and slender, laterally compressed, not tapering greatly posteriorly; minute papillae densely covering skin on head and body (development varying across individuals); first dorsal fin relatively short, its tip rounded, originating behind vertical through pelvic fin origin; pectoral fins inserted just behind opercular margin; tips of pectoral fins slightly pointed to well rounded; posterior edges of pectoral fin spines with few but large serrations on inner half; caudodorsal fin originating moderately far forward, just posterior to mid-point of body or above middle of anal fin (Hammer, M. P. et al. 2026). Habitat: Recorded in rocky stream sections including gorge and constrained valleys, in flowing stream or riffle microhabitats (dry season conditions), and likely to occupy larger refuge pools nearby. Colouration: Variable, from uniform dark brown to yellowish brown, with some speckling, and abdomen paler yellow-grey. Fins brown, but sometimes with yellowish hue, especially when freshly caught and illuminated with sunlight (Hammer, M. P. et al. 2026). Diet: The presence of relatively large teeth may be an indication of a specialised predatory diet; otherwise, all aspects of biology remain to be determined (Hammer, M. P. et al. 2026). Etymology: manjandi: The species epithet is derived from manjan di, from the language of the Ngarinyin people that literally means sandstone, in reference to the species habitat. The name was chosen in collaboration with the Nyaliga Aboriginal Corporation on whose Country the holotype specimen (type locality) of this species was collected (Hammer, M. P. et al. 2026).

Sandstone Catfish

None

Plotosidae

Australia: Kimberley region of north-western Australia.

18.0cm. (7ins)

22-28°C (71-83°F)

6.0-8.0.

Fish in the News 2026.
Hammer, M.P., Moore, G.I., Allen, G.R., Adams, M. & Unmack, P.J. (2026) Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa, 5750 (4), 505–525.