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Plotosus nkunga Gomon & Taylor, 1982 Stinging eel catfish |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Plotosidae (Eeltail catfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 51 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Kosi Bay to Knysna in South Africa. Possibly extending to Zanzibar, Tanzania. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-4; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 88-109. Preserved specimens brown or grey above, lighter brown or whitish below; 2 faint, longitudinal stripes sometimes present on body but not extending onto head (Ref. 3977). | |||
| Biology: | Found in estuaries and along open coasts. Enters freshwaters of South Africa (Ref. 3879). Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 3478). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||