Eel-catfishes

Overview

Eel-catfishes, also known as eeltail catfishes, stinging catfishes, or coral catfishes, are members of the Plotosidae family. These fish are distributed across fresh, brackish, and marine waters in tropical and subtropical regions of the Indo-West Pacific, including Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and the Indian subcontinent.

One of the most distinguishing features of eel-catfishes is their dendritic organ, a salt-secreting structure located at the base of the anal fin. This organ helps them regulate salt balance in their varied aquatic environments. Additionally, eel-catfishes have a unique tail structure where the second dorsal fin and the anal fin merge with the caudal fin, creating a pointed or bluntly rounded tail. This adaptation aids in their agility and maneuverability in their often complex underwater habitats.

As bottom feeders, eel-catfishes use their sensitive barbels to locate food buried in sediment. Their diet is diverse, including crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and occasionally detritus. Eel-catfishes possess venomous spines in their dorsal and pectoral fins. The venom can cause intense pain and swelling, serving as a defense mechanism against predators.

There are 10 genera and about 40 species of eel-catfishes that make up the Plotosidae family worldwide.