Description
Striped Eel Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) are small catfish living in shallow waters and estuaries in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically Australia, South-East Asia, and islands in the Indian ocean. These fish have a distinct appearance with a black line running down the side of its body. The fish are often found in large schools for protection against predators.
Habitat
small catfish living in shallow waters and estuaries in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically Australia, South-East Asia, and islands in the Indian ocean. They generally live in sandy or muddy waters in coral reef, or seagrass ecosystems.
Diet
The Striped Eel Catfish feeds nocturnally and scavenges using their sense of smell and barbels to sift and find and feed on small crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and small invertebrates on the sea bed.
Appearance
The fish has a distinctive appearance, with a long eel like body, and with black stripes running down the side and top of the pale yellow body. They’re often in a large school of fish.
Key Features
- Striking striped black and white appearance.
- Venomous spines in their dorsal and pectoral fins.
- Can be seen in a school of catfish, in a ball like formation.
Threats
IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered
