Species
Eel-tailed Catfish
Tandanus tandanus
Tier 4Eating6/10light tackleNSWVICQLDSAWANT
6 waypoints~30–60 cm typical
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Range & spots
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Overview: about eel-tailed catfish
Native freshwater catfish of eastern Australia — Murray-Darling and east-coast rivers and impoundments. Targeted with worms, shrimp and small soft plastics on the bottom. Watch the venomous pectoral and dorsal spines when handling. Saltwater catfish species also exist and aren't the same fish.
Biology: Eel-tailed Catfish size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Estuary, Freshwater, Lake, River
- Typical size
- 30–60 cm (max 90 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–3 kg (max 7 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- prawns, worms, small fish, molluscs
- Most active
- nocturnal
- Global range
- Multiple AU species; eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus) inland, forktailed marine spp. tropical
How to target: Eel-tailed Catfish angling strategies
Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- worms or shrimp on a running sinker rig at night in lowland rivers
- fresh prawn baits in deep impoundment holes
- soft plastics worked slowly along snag lines
Best season: when to catch eel-tailed catfish in Australia
No seasonal pattern for eel-tailed catfish yet. Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions — check state fisheries advice and recent local reports before planning a trip.
Where to catch: eel-tailed catfish fishing spots in Australia
6 mapped fishing spots, marks and waypoints for eel-tailed catfish across Australia, covering land-based fishing, estuary fishing and freshwater fishing. Each location below links through to access notes and coordinates.