Sand catfish
📖 Overview
Sand catfish (Arius arenarius), first described by Müller & Troschel, 1849 is a medium-sized fish in the family Ariidae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 29.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species is venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Vertebrae: 17. Head shield extensive and very granular. Lateral line turns upwards only at the tail base. Gill rakers present on hind aspect of all gill arches. Maxillary barbel short, 20 - 24% of SL. Caudal peduncle depth 1.9 - 2.4 in its length .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sand catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal. Subtropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- pain
- oedema
- rare systemic effects
Wound care, analgesia.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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