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Plotosus canius Hamilton, 1822

Image contributors to this species:

Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (1) Jean-Francois Helias (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Distinguished from adult Plotosus lineatus by its long barbels on the nostrils that can reach pass the eyes. Spines associated with anterior fins have potent venom. Colouration: A plain dusky-brown species with a black dorsal fin tip. Shows banded pattern at night. Habitat: Found mostly in estuaries and lagoons, and sometimes up rivers in nearly fresh waters. Occurs in the lower parts of rivers in freshwater or brackish water and in coastal seas. Juveniles may occur in dense aggregations. Diet: Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and fishes. Remarks: Grows too large for the home aquarium.

Common Name:

Gray eel-catfish

Synonyms:

Plotosus unicolor, Plotosus horridus, Plotosus multiradiatus, Potosus viviparus

Family:

Plotosidae

Distribution:

Indo-West Pacific: West and south coasts of India and off Sri Lanka eastward along the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, through the Indo-Australian Archipelago and the Philippines as far as Papua New Guinea.

Size:

120.0cm. (48ins)

Temp:

24-26°C (75-79°F)

p.H.

8.0-8.5.

Reference:

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2005. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (11/2005).
Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
Rainboth, W.J., 1996. Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO Species Identification Field Guide for Fishery Purposes. FAO, Rome, 265 p.

Family: Plotosidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Plotosus canius

Plotosus canius
8.50kg; Current IFGA World Record

Plotosus canius

Plotosus canius
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