Status
Legal status
Regulated invasive species of Union concern under the European Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species [1143/2014].
Native status
Non-native
First reported in the wild
Not
present in Ireland or Northern Ireland
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of High Impact
Irish status
Absent
Introduction pathways - 1
Corridor
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Natural dispersal across borders of invasive aliens
Introduction pathways - 2
Unaided
Introduction pathways subclass - 2
Natural dispersal across borders of invasive aliens
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Plotosus lineatus is a species of bony fish in the Plotosidae family that can grow to approximately 32 cm in length (Encyclopedia of Life, 2021). The juveniles of this species are highly distinctive with vibrant white and black stripes (Invasive Species Ireland, 2021). This fades to less vibrant shades of brown and black as they mature, making them less conspicuous (Invasive Species Ireland, 2021). Juveniles can be seen in large ball-shaped schools od up to 100 individuals, making them rather easy to identify (World Register of Marine Species, 2021). The adults are more solitary and will be found in smaller groups of about 20 individuals (World Register of Marine Species, 2021). Upon close inspection, four pairs of barbels can be seen on the mouth as well as venomous spines on the dorsal fins (World Register of Marine Species, 2021).
Diet
This carnivorous species feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes and small fish (World Register of Marine Species, 2021).
Ecology
Adult individuals are nocturnal and will typically position themselves under ledges or in caves during daylight hours (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Impacts
Biodiversity - Although further study is required to quantify this, it is thought that at high densities, Plotosus lineatus may work to harm native populations of small fish, crustaceans, molluscs etc. through predation and competitive exclusion (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Ecosystem - If the population is large enough to support large feeding swarms of Plotosus lineatus, ecosystem functioning can be negatively impacted as these swarms may increase turbidity and alter sediment properties (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018). This can lead to issues with nutrient cycling and mobilisation of eggs of various species (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Economic - Due to its venomous nature, Plotosus lineatus must be carefully handled when removing from fishing nets and sorting (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018). This, combined with the high volumes of this species that can be caught by trawlers, results in losses of working time due workers needing to operate more carefully and injuries from the venom (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Habitat
In its native range, Plotosus lineatus can be found living in various costal benthic (bottom of a waterbody e.g. lake beds) habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, estuaries, tide pools and open coasts (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Reproduction
This species reproduces sexually and reproduction is oviparous and iteroparus (Encyclopedia of Life, 2021). Oviparous refers to a form of reproduction that involves the production of eggs that will then hatch to produce young. Iteroparus simply refers to a species that can undergo multiple reproductive events throughout its life rather than just one.
Mechanism of impact
Competition, Predation, Poisoning/Toxicity
Management approach
Broad environment
Marine
Species group
Vertebrate
Native region
Tropical Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands
Similar species
No other Plotosus specie have been introduced outside of their native range and therefore Plotosus lineatus should not be misidentified if it was to become established in Ireland (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Plotosus lineatus has been recorded as a non-native species in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Tunisia (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018)
Irish distribution
Absent
Native distribution
Plotosus lineatus is native to the Indo-Pacific and is distributed along the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, southern Japan and southern Korea, and the Ogasawara Islands, south to Australia and Lord Howe Island (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018). It has been recorded entering freshwaters of eastern Africa and Madagascar (Galanidi and Zenetos, 2018).
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2023
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
Report
any sightings of this species to the National Biodiversity Data Centre,
including a photograph, if possible.
If you
own one, do not allow it to reproduce or enter the natural environment, it is
illegal to do so.
Avoid
purchasing this species for any purpose.
Further information
CABI Invasive Species
Compendium: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/116398
Encyclopaedia Of Life: https://eol.org/pages/46581859
Invasive Species Ireland: https://invasivespeciesireland.com/species-accounts/potential/marine/striped-eel-catfish
World Register of Marine
Species: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217659
References
Publications
Encyclopedia of Life, 2021. Striped catfish - Encyclopedia
of Life. [online] Available at: <https://eol.org/pages/46581859>
[Accessed 9 Jul. 2021].
European Commission,
2017. Invasive Alien Species of Union concern. [online] Luxembourg.
Available at:
<https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/pdf/IAS_brochure_species.pdf>
[Accessed 25 Jun. 2021].
Galanidi, M., Turan,
C., Ozturk, B. and Zenetos, A., 2019. Europen Union (EU) Risk Assessment of
Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787); a summary and information update. Journal
of the Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment, [online] pp.210–231. Available
at:
<https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334811880_Europen_Union_EU_Risk_Assessment_of_Plotosus_lineatus_Thunberg_1787_a_summary_and_information_update>
[Accessed 9 Jul. 2021].
Galanidi, M. and
Zenetos, A., 2018. Risk Assessment for Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787).
[online] Available at:
<https://circabc.europa.eu/faces/jsp/extension/wai/navigation/container.jsp?FormPrincipal:_idcl=FormPrincipal:_id1&FormPrincipal_SUBMIT=1&id=f009176e-eade-498a-a409-cb125f9eb709&javax.faces.ViewState=WmWkzCLDPt4wKaTFG6CSsmIFacN%2ByeNiXbTe%2BluQdPnJd7x%2BYP>
[Accessed 9 Jul. 2021].
Invasive Species
Ireland, 2021. Plotosus lineatus. [online] Available at:
<https://invasivespeciesireland.com/species-accounts/potential/marine/striped-eel-catfish>
[Accessed 9 Jul. 2021].
World Register of
Marine Species, 2021. Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787). [online]
Available at: <http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217659>
[Accessed 9 Jul. 2021].