Tandanus tandanus (Freshwater Catfish)

Tandanus tandanus (Freshwater Catfish)

Family: Plotosidae (Eel-tail Catfish)

Status: Native. Endangered population NSW.

Size: Commonly grow to about 50 centimetres and weigh about 1.8 kilograms. May grow up to about 90 cm and weigh up to 6 kg.

Description:  Grey brown purple or olive above and white below with a long eel like tail and barbles at the mouth. The scientific name for eel-tailed catfish comes from an aboriginal name for the fish - Tandan, which Major Thomas Mitchell recorded on his 1832 expedition.

Location:  Murrumbidgee Catchment in the CNM region. The eel-tailed catfish inhabits slow moving streams, lakes and ponds with fringing vegetation. According to ALA, one sighting has been recorded in CNM region. Occasionally stocked  in CMN region