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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: Adults found mostly in estuaries and lagoons, and sometimes up rivers in nearly fresh waters. They occur in the lower parts of rivers in freshwater or brackish water and in coastal seas. 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. Reproduction: It is reported to have an extended breeding season and likely spawns in brackish water, based on optimal sperm survival at 0.9 % salinity; produces relatively few large eggs, consistent with parental care and it is possible that male fish construct nests and guard their fry. Diet: Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and fishes. Etymology: The specific name canius: Latinisation of Kani, from Kani magur, local Bengali name for this catfish in India. 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.

IUCN Red List

This widely distributed species inhabits estuaries and nearshore areas. Habitat degradation is not suspected to be causing a global decline approaching 30% at this time; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern, (IUCN 2024).

Reference:

Bucol, A. 2024. Plotosus canius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2005. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (11/2005).
Gomon, J.R., 1984. Plotosidae. In W. Fischer and G. Bianchi (eds.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean fishing area 51. Vol. 3.
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.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Plotosus canius

Plotosus canius
8.50kg; Current IFGA World Record

Plotosus canius

Plotosus canius
The Business end !

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