Whitelipped eel catfish
📖 Overview
In tropical areas, inhabits clear and turbid coral reefs; usually found in areas with mixed sand, weed, and coral areas . May be seen resting on sand bottoms under ledges or around coral bommies . Adults solitarily or in small groups. Presumably nocturnal . Feeds on gastropod mollusks and crustaceans . Spines associated with anterior fins have potent venom .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 104 - 115; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 90 - 100. Differs from Paraplotosus butleri in having a shorter dorsal fin and shorter nasal barbels, rounded pectoral fin shape, fewer upper procurrent caudal fin rays, and fewer gill rakers. Differs from P. muelleri in having a shorter dorsal fin and smaller eye . Color highly variable, ranging from pale grey or yellowish brown to dark brown, nearly blackish, sometimes with pronounced dark mottling; generally whitish on belly and ventral part of head; fins brown to blackish, frequently darker than body . : elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whitelipped eel catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 12 m . Tropical West Pacific: Indo-Australian Archipelago.
🌿 Ecology
gastropod mollusks and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- pain
- oedema
- rare systemic effects
Wound care, analgesia.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copidoglanis longifilis | Macleay | 1881 | Synonym |
| Paraplotosus albilabrus | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Plotosus albilabris | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Plotosus macrophthalmus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .
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