Paraplotosus

Taxobox
name = "Paraplotosus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Plotosidae
genus = "Paraplotosus"
genus_authority = Bleeker, 1863
type_species = "Plotosus albilabris"
type_species_authority = Valenciennes, 1840
subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
subdivision =
"Paraplotosus albilabris"
(Valenciennes, 1840)
"Paraplotosus butleri"
Allen, 1998
"Paraplotosus muelleri"
(Klunzinger, 1880)


synonyms = "Endorrhis" Ogilby, 1898

"Paraplotosus" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Plotosidae. It includes three species, the whitelip catfish ("P. albilabris"), the sailfin catfish ("P. butleri"), and the Kimberley catfish ("P. muelleri").cite journal|url=http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf|title=Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types|first=Carl J., Jr.|last=Ferraris|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1418|pages=1–628|year=2007|format=PDF] [cite web|url=http://www.fish.gov.au/fishnames/fishnames.php?pid=1020|title=Whitelip Catfish|publisher=Fish.gov.au|accessdate=2007-08-01] [cite web|url=http://www.fish.gov.au/fishnames/fishnames.php?pid=1035|title=Sailfin Catfish|publisher=Fish.gov.au|accessdate=2007-08-01] [cite web|url=http://www.fish.gov.au/fishnames/fishnames.php?pid=1036|title=Kimberley Catfish|publisher=Fish.gov.au|accessdate=2007-08-01] "Paraplotosus" species are presumably nocturnal and feed on gastropod mollusks and crustaceans.

"P. albilabris" originates from the Indo-Australian Archipelago, New Guinea, and Australia. This species grows to a length of about 134 centimetres (52.8 in) TL.FishBase species|genus=Paraplotosus|species=albilabris|year=2007|month=Aug] It differs from "P. butleri" in having a shorter dorsal fin and shorter nasal barbels, a rounded pectoral fin shape, fewer upper procurrent caudal fin rays, and fewer gill rakers; it differs from "P. muelleri" in having a shorter dorsal fin and smaller eye. Its colour is highly variable, ranging from pale grey or yellowish brown to dark brown, nearly blackish, sometimes with pronounced dark mottling. It is generally whitish on the belly and ventral part of head. The fins are brown to blackish, frequently darker than the body. "P. albilabris" inhabits clear and turbid coral reefs in tropical areas, usually in areas with mixed sand, weed, and coral areas. This fish may be seen resting on sand bottoms under ledges or around coral. The adults live alone or in small groups. The anterior fin spines have potent venom.

"P. butleri" is known from coastal reefs in Northern Australia. This species grows to about 32.5 cm (12.8 in) SL.FishBase species|genus=Paraplotosus|species=butleri|year=2007|month=Aug] It differs from "P. albilabris" and "P. muelleri" in having a tall, sail-like first dorsal fin and extremely long nasal barbels, which extend posteriorly to the basal third of the pectoral fin or beyond. Small juveniles have a unique coloration consisting of a black head and body with a broad white to yellow margin on the first dorsal fin; also, the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are connected and continuous. The adults are entirely black. "P. butleri" is restricted to coastal reefs; secretive, it is found in reef holes or under large rocks.

"P. muelleri" inhabits turbid coastal reefs in the Dampier Archipelago to the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria of northern Australia. This species grows to about 26.8 cm (10.6 in) SL.FishBase species|genus=Paraplotosus|species=muelleri|year=2007|month=Aug] It differs from "P. albilabris" in having a taller dorsal fin and larger eye; it differs from "P. butleri" in having a shorter dorsal fin and shorter nasal barbels, a rounded pectoral fin shape, fewer procurrent caudal fin rays, and fewer gill rakers. It is brown in color, with the belly area and ventral surface of the head whitish. "P. muelleri" is restricted to turbid coastal reefs of mainland Australia and nearby islands.

References