Striped eel catfish
Venomous Indo-Pacific catfish with eel-like fins
The striped eel catfish is a venomous marine species native to the Indo-Pacific. It has spread to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and is listed as an invasive alien species in the European Union due to its potential ecological impact.
- Juveniles form dense ball-shaped schools
- Venom causes pain, swelling and spasms
- Spread to Mediterranean via Suez Canal
- Banned as invasive species in the EU
- Max length reaches 32 cm
What it is
This catfish belongs to the eeltail family Plotosidae. It grows up to 32 cm long. The body is brown with cream or white lengthwise bands. Its second dorsal, tail and anal fins are joined together, resembling an eel. Four pairs of barbels surround the mouth. The first dorsal and pectoral fins carry sharp, venomous spines used for defence.
Where it lives
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, including areas like Singapore. Since 2002, it has appeared in the eastern Mediterranean Sea after moving through the Suez Canal. It is now common from Levantine waters to the Gulf of Gabes. The species also enters freshwater systems in East Africa and Madagascar occasionally.
How it lives
Young fish form tight, ball-shaped schools of about 100 individuals. Adults live alone or in smaller groups of around 20. They hide under ledges during daylight hours. At night, they stir sand to find food. Their diet includes crustaceans, molluscs, worms and sometimes other fish.
Breeding and life cycle
The species lays eggs that rest on the sea floor. After hatching, the young fry become part of the zooplankton community. This early life stage allows them to drift and disperse before settling into their adult habitats and behaviours.
Fish and people
Fishermen handling nets risk painful stings from its venomous spines. Symptoms range from swelling and numbness to severe pain and muscle spasms. No human deaths have been recorded. In Israel, it is called Nasrallah fish. The European Union bans its trade and release as an invasive species.
Status and threats
Listed as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern in Europe since 2019. Import, breeding, transport and sale are prohibited across the EU. The species spreads via the Suez Canal, altering local ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Laboratory tests show its venom kills other fish and rodents.
Questions people ask about Striped eel catfish
Is the striped eel catfish dangerous to humans?
Yes, it has venomous spines on its dorsal and pectoral fins. Stings cause extreme pain, swelling, numbness and muscle spasms. While no human deaths have been recorded, the venom is lethal to other fish and rodents in laboratory settings.
Where does this fish live?
It is native to the Indo-Pacific region and coral reefs. It also lives in estuaries and tide pools. Since 2002, it has established populations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea after migrating through the Suez Canal.
Why is it banned in the European Union?
It is listed as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern. This status prohibits importing, breeding, transporting or selling the fish within the EU to prevent further spread and protect local marine ecosystems from its impact.
Good reading and sources
- Plotosus lineatus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Plotosus lineatus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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