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Diadromous Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Madagascar sea catfish

Arius madagascariensis Vaillant, 1894
Max Length
70 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
55.00/100
Typical Length
20 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Common in rivers and lakes , also found in estuaries and river mouths . Caught with stake traps, shore seines and bagnets, also on hook and line.

Scientific Name
Arius madagascariensis
Authority
Vaillant, 1894
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
70 cm
Latitude
25°S – 5°N
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
55.00/100
Migration
Anadromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Siluriformes
Siluriformes
Family
Ariidae
Ariidae
Genus
Arius
Arius
Species
Madagascar sea catfish
Arius madagascariensis

🐟 Physical Description

Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Madagascar sea catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Madagascar sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Madagascar sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous . Tropical; 5°N - 25°S found in Mozambique (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Anadromous
Trophic Level
3.7±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00794 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
70cm
Anal Rays
16

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2016

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
55.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
5°N – 25°S
Described By
Vaillant, 1894

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Madagascar 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 Madagascar sea catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Madagascar 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 Madagascar sea catfish

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Ariopsis madagascariensis Vaillant 1894 Synonym
Arium madagascariensis Vaillant 1894 Synonym
Tachysurus madagascariensis Vaillant 1894 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Madagascar sea catfish ↗
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