Aquaria Central .......................Saltwater catfish


Plotosus anguillaris
Other names:...........Striped catfish, Coral catfish, Barber
Origin:......................Indo-Pacific oceans
Max size:..................36"
Temperature:...........75-79 F.
Min tank size:..........150 gallons
Food:.........................live foods, meat, flakes, pellets

The saltwater catfish is truely an interesting fish. The body is long and scaleless. The fish is brown with tan colored fins and horizontal tan colored stripes that run the whole length of the body. The eyes are red and the fish has several long wiskers. The saltwater catfish has two dorsal fins; the second one being attached with the caudal fin and anal fin to form one eel-like tail that takes up more than half the fish's body.

The saltwater catfish has the special ability to poison its enemies. The poison comes from the fish's spines, thus it should be handled with care. The temperature should be kept in the usual range of 75-80 degress F. Favorite foods include shellfish and fresh meat such as beefheart. These smartly marked fish grow fast and need a large tank. When frightened, juveniles will band together from protection. The young lose their markings as they mature.

back

All contents are copyright © Aquaria Central, 1997.
We appreciate your feedback.