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Nakedhead eeltail catfish (Euristhmus nudiceps) — Plotosidae

Nakedhead eeltail catfish

Euristhmus nudiceps
Family: Plotosidae

The Nakedhead eeltail catfish (Euristhmus nudiceps) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Plotosidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The nakedhead eeltail catfish is an eeltail catfish (Plotosidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of northern Australia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an eel-like, dark body in which the second dorsal, tail and anal fins are fused into a long border, with barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud for worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The dorsal and pectoral spines are venomous and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nakedhead eeltail catfish?

The Nakedhead eeltail catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Nakedhead eeltail catfish live?

The Nakedhead eeltail catfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Nakedhead eeltail catfish get?

The Nakedhead eeltail catfish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Nakedhead eeltail catfish dangerous to humans?

The Nakedhead eeltail catfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Naaktkop-palingmeerval sourced
English name
Nakedhead eeltail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Euristhmus nudiceps
Family
Plotosidae
Other names
Naked-headed catfish; Nettlefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Euristhmus

More from the family Plotosidae

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