The Saltwater Catfish, Plotosus lineatus, is in fact a true Catfish species that originates from the Indo-Pacific.

Juvenile specimens display elegant horizontal white stripes across their dark bodies, but this coloration fades with maturity, as does their schoaling tendencies.

The fish demands respect through its poisonous spines on the dorsal and anal fins. Care should be taken when handling Saltwater Catfish.

Tank Setup

While juveniles are extremely active, Saltwater Catfish tend to calm down as adults, and thus require the typical sized aquarium for a 12-inch fish, which would be 55 gallons at the very least. Young specimens appreciate the company of 5-6 of their own kind. However, adult P. lineatus become loners, and big ones at that, requiring a very large aquarium to eventually house 5-6 foot-long fish.

Tankmates should be no smaller than the fish's mouth. This is not an aggressive species, but it is a carnivore. Provide rocky structures for the fish to take shelter in.

Feeding

Saltwater Catfish should be fed sinking meaty foods such as chopped beefheart or shellfish meat.

Water Chemistry

These scavengers should be kept in typical Indo-Pacific water conditions. Keep the pH high, around 8.4, and the salinity between 1.023 and 1.025.

Breeding

Breeding details are sketchy. A burrow-like nest is built in the back of the aquarium where the eggs will be laid. It is said that males care for the young in nature, but successful captive breeding has not been reported.