Ecology of Plotosus lineatus
 
Main Ref. Thollot, P., 1996
Remarks Widespread in coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific Region (Ref. 9137). Present in seagrass beds at juvenile stage (Ref. 41878). The only catfish found in coral reefs (Ref. 58534). Also found in estuaries, tide pools and open coasts. The aggregation takes on the appearance of a much larger creature or even inanimate objects, reducing the chances of predation (Ref. 54301). An omnivore that eats benthic animals, algae, and detritus (Ref. 9137). Adults search and stir the sand incessantly for crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and sometimes fish (Refs. 5213, 127989). The highly venomous serrate spine of the first dorsal and each of the pectoral fins are dangerous, and even fatal in rare cases (Ref. 1602). Dwells in lagoons, sandy or rocky substrates. In its native distribution, it dwells in rocky substrates and coral reefs (Ref. 127989). Shoaling species (Ref. 129713).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Plotosus lineatus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic; Soft Bottom: sand; Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref. Letourneur, Y., P. Chabanet, P. Durville, M. Taquet, E. Teissier, M. Parmentier, J.-C. Quéro and K. Pothin, 2004
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Gell, F.R. and M.W. Whittington, 2002

Associations

Ref. Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001
Associations solitary; schooling; shoaling;
Associated with
Association remarks Juveniles form dense ball-shaped schools of about 100 fish; adults are solitary or occur in smaller groups of around 20 and are known to hide under ledges during the day (Ref. 1602, 5503, 12693, 37816, 48635).
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Thollot, P., 1996
Feeding habit other
Feeding habit Ref. Thollot, P., 1996
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.57 0.30 3.42 0.49 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items 3.49 0.41 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Horinouchi, M. and M. Sano, 2000
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. cnidaria)
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