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💧 Freshwater Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

African sea catfish

Arius africanus Günther, 1867
Max Length
45 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
44.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone

📖 Overview

Arius africanus is a coastal species, mostly found in freshwater , but probably it inhabits also estuaries . It feeds mainly on invertebrates and small fishes .

Scientific Name
Arius africanus
Authority
Günther, 1867
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
45 cm
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
44.00/100

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Siluriformes
Siluriformes
Family
Ariidae
Ariidae
Genus
Arius
Arius
Species
African sea catfish
Arius africanus

🐟 Physical Description

Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for African sea catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for African sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for African sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish
Trophic Level
3.8±0.56
Food Items

invertebrates and small fishes (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00794 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
45cm
Anal Rays
20

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2017

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
44.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1867

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"African sea catfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for African sea catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for African sea catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English African sea catfish
🌍CES křížovec panganský
🇵🇹Portuguese Bagre-marinho-africano
🇷🇺Russian Африканский ариус

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 3 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for African sea catfish ↗
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