Gray eel-catfish
📖 Overview
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 . 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 , Maximum length of 150 cm TL is without actual specimen . Juveniles may occur in dense aggregations . Feed on crustaceans, mollusks and fishes. Spines associated with anterior fins have potent venom. Marketed mostly fresh.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A plain dusky-brown species with a black dorsal fin tip. Shows banded pattern at night. Distinguished from adult Plotosus lineatus by its long barbels on the nostrils that can reach pass the eyes.: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Gray eel-catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Tropical; 27°N - 20°S, 72°E - 177°W 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.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans, mollusks and fishes
📐 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
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Gray eel-catfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 147 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Gray eel-catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Barbel Eel Catfish · Indian Catfish · canine catfish · canine catfish eel · eel catfish |
| 🌍CES | plotos bengálský |
| 🇫🇷French | balibot canin |
| 🌍IND | Sembilang |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Bagre-enguia-gigante |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Бурый угрехвост |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | patuna canina |
| 🌍THA | ปลาดุกทะเล · ปลาดุกทะเลยักษ์ |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plotossus canius | Hamilton | 1822 | Synonym |
| Plotosus horridus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
| Plotosus multiradiatus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
| Plotosus unicolor | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Plotosus viviparus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
| Plutosus canius | Hamilton | 1822 | Synonym |
| Potosus viviparus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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