Smoothmouth sea catfish
📖 Overview
Enters brackish waters; found along the shallow continental shelf . Feeds on benthic invertebrates buried in the mud but it can sometimes leave the bottom to capture prey in open water. The females bear large eggs which are incubated and develop in the buccal cavity of the males. The rays of the fins are venomous and the wound inflicted is extremely painful . Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14. Diagnosis: body elongated and rounded; head broad and only slightly flattened above; snout rounded; mouth inferior; maxillary barbels reaching to pectoral fin bases, mandibular ones being shorter; osseous head shield fairly visible through the skin, coarsely rugose; occipital process rather narrow at base, tapering towards its distal end, with a median keel; predorsal plate short, very rugose and crescent-shaped; premaxillary teeth villiform, forming a plate slightly curved . Palatine teeth usually in a single pair of small rounded patches, widely separated, when present, by a space much greater than their diameter . Sometimes 1 or both patches absent; usually no, infrequently 1-2 tiny, gill-rakers on posterior face of 1st and 2nd branchial arch . Total number of anterior gill-rakers on first arch: 13-15 . 14-17 gill rakers on the outer side of the entire 2nd arch . Dorsal fin short with a long, osseous, more or less serrated spine preceded by a very short one; dorsal and pectoral fins with a strong serrated, erectile spine; adipose fin well developed; caudal fin forked, with long and pointed lobes . Coloration: olive-brown above, silvered on sides, belly white .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Smoothmouth sea catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Smoothmouth sea catfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Smoothmouth sea catfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 15 - 75 m . Tropical; 15°N - 9°S south as Angola (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
benthic invertebrates buried in the mud but it can sometimes leave the bottom to capture prey in ope
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Smoothmouth 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 | 17.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 261 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Smoothmouth sea catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Smoothmouth Sea Catfish |
| 🌍CES | křížovec Heudelotův |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Ариус Хенделота |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? heudelotii | Valenciennes | 1840 | Homotypic |
| Arius heudeloti | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Arius mercatoris | Poll | 1949 | Synonym |
| Bagrus goreensis | Guichenot | 1858 | Synonym |
| Tachysurus heudelotii | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Tachysurus mercatoris | Poll | 1949 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 679 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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