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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Goat catfish

Arius sumatranus 1830, 3290
🍽️ Seafood Guide 👩‍🍳 Recipes ← All Species
Max Length
32 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Typical Length
12 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found in marine waters, as well as in estuaries and tidal rivers. Feeds mainly on invertebrates. The sharp dorsal and pectoral fin spines can inflict painful wounds. Sold mostly fresh in markets. Also caught with dipnets.

Scientific Name
Arius sumatranus
Authority
1830, 3290
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Max Length
32 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Goat catfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Goat catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner 👄 Mouth Brooder
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal. Tropical West Pacific: Pakistan east to Thailand, then south to the Philippines and Indonesia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.37
Food Items

invertebrates

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00794 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
32cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
28.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
1830, 3290

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous
Delivery
dorsal and pectoral spines with venom glands
Potency
Mild
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
2min
Duration
12.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
crinotoxins protein toxins
Symptoms
  • pain
  • oedema
  • rare systemic effects
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system
First Aid
Hot water immersion.
Medical Treatment

Wound care, analgesia.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Arius Sumatranus 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 Goat catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Goat 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

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

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🍽️
Seafood Guide
Goat catfish: Edibility, Nutrition & Safety
👩‍🍳
Recipes
Goat catfish Recipes