Striped Eel Catfish

The striped eel catfish is one of the few catfish that live in the sea. Its dark brown body carries two distinct white horizontal stripes, and there are four pairs of barbels around its mouth; the dorsal and anal fins merge with the tail to form an eel-like tip. Juveniles form dense, ball-shaped schools of hundreds of individuals; adults live more scattered. Venomous spine warning: The spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins carry a venom that can cause very painful and serious injuries; work with gloves and seek medical attention if stung. It is spreading as an invasive species in the Eastern Mediterranean; never release it into the wild.

• At least 800 liters for a small group; a fine sand substrate and caves to shelter in.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.020–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; a strong filter and a protein skimmer.
• Not reef-safe: it eats shrimp, crabs, snails and small fish, and constantly digs in the sand.
• Not recommended for hobbyists unused to its care because of the venom risk.

Carnivorous. Frozen mysis, krill, chopped shrimp, mussels and squid, sinking marine fish pellets. Juveniles are fed twice a day, adults once a day.

Juveniles are very active in a school and become stressed when left alone. As they grow they become more independent and greedy; they eat fish that fit in their mouths.

Good companions: In a large aquarium, big and calm fish: tangs, large angelfish, foxface, large wrasses.

Avoid: Small fish, shrimp and crabs, reefs with corals, open-top aquariums within children's reach.