Kimberley catfish (Paraplotosus muelleri)

Scientific name: Paraplotosus muelleri Klunzinger, 1879

The Kimberley catfish (Paraplotosus muelleri) is a marine fish of the family Plotosidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, northwestern Australia and the adjacent Northern Territory.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 97-110; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 80 - 95. Differs from P. albilabris in having a taller dorsal fin and larger eye. Differs from Paraplotosus butleri in having a shorter dorsal fin and shorter nasal barbels, rounded pectoral fin shape, fewer procurrent caudal fin rays, and fewer gill rakers. Brown in color, belly area and ventral surface of head whitish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Paraplotosus muelleri
Family
Plotosidae (Eeltail catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
26.8
Depth range
0–8 m (0–26 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 8 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: northwestern Australia and the adjacent Northern Territory.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
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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