Red sea catfish
📖 Overview
Red sea catfish (Bagre pinnimaculatus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ariidae. It inhabits diadromous, migrating between freshwater and the sea waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 95 cm. With a trophic level of 4.5, it is an apex predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food, venomous.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Body robust, rounded anteriorly and compressed posteriorly; mouth sub-terminal and wide; teeth villiform, arranged in a narrow band followed by four narrow continuous bands across the palate; two pairs of barbels, the maxillary barbels long and ribbon-like; dorsal and pectoral fin spines long. Body brown; back metallic blue or bright violet; belly silvery gray; fins yellowish green; a black spot present anterior to the anal fin .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Red sea catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical; 32°N - 3°S, 114°W - 77°W Central and South America: Pacific draining rivers from the Gulf of California to Ecuador.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 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
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Red sea catfish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 177 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Red sea catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Red Sea Catfish · Sea Catfish · long-barbeled sea catfish |
| 🌍CES | křížovec skvrnoploutvý |
| 🇫🇷French | Mâchoiron Rouge |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Alguacil · Bagre Plumero · Bagre Rojo · Bagre de Gavia · Bagre de Mar · Barbudo · Chihuil · bagre barbón |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 翅斑海鱨 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aelurichthys pinnimaculatus | Steindachner | 1876 | Synonym |
| Ailurichthys eydouxii | Valenciennes | 1840 | Heterotypic |
| Felichthys pinnimaculatus | Steindachner | 1876 | Synonym |
| Galeichthys eydouxii | Valenciennes | 1840 | Heterotypic |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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