Guinean sea catfish
📖 Overview
Marine species commonly found along the continental coast; often entering adjacent estuaries and freshwater rivers . Feeds on fish and shrimps . Males practise buccal incubation . Dorsal and pectoral serrated spines are venomous and can cause very painful wounds .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0. 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, coarsely rugose, fairly visible through the skin . Occipital process moderately broad at base, tapering towards its distal end, with a median keel . Predorsal plate very rugose, short and crescent-shaped; premaxillary teeth villiform forming a plate slightly curved . Palatal teeth in single pair of rounded patches, well separated by a space smaller than their diameter . No gill-rakers on the posterior face of the 1st and 2nd arches . Total number of anterior gill-rakers on 1st arch: 11-14 . 11-15 gill rakers on the outer side of the entire 2nd arch . Dorsal fin short with a long, osseous 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 pointed lobes . Coloration: olive brown above, belly whitish .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Guinean sea catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Guinean sea catfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Guinean sea catfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 50 - 80 m . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
fish and shrimps (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Guinean 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
Detailed nutritional data for Guinean sea catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Guinean sea catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Guinean Sea Catfish |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | afrikanmerimonni |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arius capellonis | Steindachner | 1867 | Synonym |
| Arius granulatus | Peters | 1868 | Synonym |
| Arius parkii | Günther | 1864 | Synonym |
| Tachysurus capellonis | Steindachner | 1867 | Synonym |
| Tachysurus capellonsis | Steindachner | 1867 | Synonym |
| Tachysurus gambensis | Bowdich | 1825 | Heterotypic |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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