Estuarine sea catfish
📖 Overview
Found in large to medium-sized rivers, lagoons and small drainages. Typically inhabits freshwaters, but may also occur in marine waters .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal soft rays: 21. Differs from all other species of Cathorops by having the following features: fleshy papillae intercalated with gill rakers on first two gill arches; posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with long and conspicuous serrations (except in Cathorops kailolae, Cathorops melanopus, Cathorops multiradiatus, and Cathorops tuyra); gill rakers on first arch 14-16; and snout length 9.3-11.6% SL. Can be further separated from Cathorops belizensis by its longer supraoccipital process 11.5-16.3% SL (vs. 8.8-10.5% SL), larger orbital diameter 4.6-6.9 % SL (vs. 3.6-4.4% SL), and shorter interorbital distance 9.9-12.3 (vs. 12.9-15.1% SL); from Cathorops higuchii by its gill rakers on second arch 13-16 (vs. 17-21), and larger orbital diameter 4.6-6.9 (vs. 3.3-4.4% SL); from Cathorops kailolae by its longer distance from tip of snout to dorsal-fin origin 39.0-40.7 (vs. 33.1- 38.0% SL); from Cathorops mapale species group by its gill rakers on second arch 13-16 (vs. 17-21); from Cathorops melanopus by its longer distance from tip of snout to dorsal-fin origin 39.0-40.7 (vs. 30.0-32.6% SL), and longer distance from tip of snout to posterior margin of dorsomedian groove of neurocranium 22.9-26.4 (vs. 17.9-19.1% SL) .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Estuarine sea catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical Central America: Atlantic draining rivers from Panuco River basin in Mexico to Izabal Lake in Guatemala (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
📊 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
"Estuarine 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 Estuarine sea catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Estuarine 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)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arius aguadulce | Meek | 1904 | Synonym |
| Galeichthys aguadulce | Meek | 1904 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 31 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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