Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Anguilliformes
- Family
- Akysidae
- Genus
- Plotosus
- Species
- canius
Habitat
This species inhabits marine and estuarine waters in the Indo-Pacific region, including coastal areas, rivers, and mangroves. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms with nearby structures like rocks or coral for shelter, and can tolerate a range of salinities from full seawater to brackish environments.
Diet
The grey eel catfish primarily feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, using its barbels to locate prey in low-visibility conditions. It is mainly nocturnal, hunting at night along the seafloor, and occasionally scavenges on dead organic matter.
Behavior
The grey eel catfish is primarily nocturnal and solitary, spending the day buried in sand or mud to avoid predators. It can be territorial around feeding areas and uses its venomous spines aggressively when threatened. During mating seasons, individuals may migrate to specific spawning grounds, but otherwise exhibit minimal social interactions.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.