Darkfin eel catfish (Plotosus limbatus)

Scientific name: Plotosus limbatus Valenciennes, 1840

Darkfin eel catfish (Plotosus limbatus)

The Darkfin eel catfish (Plotosus limbatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Plotosidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, ranging from the Madras and Malabar coasts of India to the east coast of Africa. Reaches as far south as Knysna, South Africa.

Biology

Occurs in estuaries and along open coasts. Juveniles form dense aggregations. Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes. Dorsal and pelvic fins are venomous.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Plotosus limbatus
Family
Plotosidae (Eeltail catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
41.0
Common length
30.0
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: ranging from the Madras and Malabar coasts of India to the east coast of Africa. Reaches as far south as Knysna, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Venomous
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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