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💧 Freshwater 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Cathorops Manglarensis

Cathorops manglarensis Marceniuk, 2007
Max Length
19.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Cathorops Manglarensis (Cathorops manglarensis), first described by Marceniuk, 2007 is a medium-sized fish in the family Ariidae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 19.50 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. The species is important as a food fish and venomous and potentially dangerous to handle. As a member of the Ariidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.

Scientific Name
Cathorops manglarensis
Authority
Marceniuk, 2007
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Max Length
19.5 cm
Trophic Level
4.2
Vulnerability
24.00/100

🐟 Physical Description

Cathorops manglarensis is distinguished from all congeners through the following combination of characters: 13-16 gill rakers on first arch; 24-27 anal fin rays; dorsal fin spine shorter than pectoral fin spine; posterior margin of pectoral fin spine with shorter serrations. This species can be further distinguished from each of the other species from the Pacific coast of Central and South America by additional characters. Cathorops manglarensis is distinguished from C. dasycephalus in lacking vomerine tooth plates (vs. vomerine tooth plates present) and an osseous bridge formed by the lateral ethmoid and frontal without granulation (vs. granulated along its entire extension). It differs from C. fuerthii by having a median groove of neurocranium deep and large, with lateral margins regular and progressively narrower posteriorly (vs. median groove narrow and shallow, with irregular margins along its entire extension), anterior nostrils closer to each other (3.6-4.8 vs. 4.9-6.0% SL), longer external mental barbel (19.7-24.4 vs. 15.9–19.7% SL), longer internal mental barbel (12.5–17.9 vs. 10.3–12.9% SL), and longer anal fin base (21.0–24.5 vs. 17.8–19.4% SL). It differs from C. hypophthalmus in possessing a shorter distance between anterior nostrils (3.6–4.8 vs. 6.9–7.1% SL) and between posterior nostrils (5.2–7.1 vs. 8.2–8.5% SL), larger orbital diameter (3.7–4.8 vs. 3.0–3.5% SL), narrower mouth (8.8–10.5 vs. 13.1–13.2% SL) and with shorter external mental barbel (19.7–24.4 vs. 34.5–38.1% SL), internal mental barbel (12.5–17.9 vs. 26.1–31.2% SL), and dorsal fin spine (16.9–19.2 vs. 25.0–25.2% SL). Cathorops manglarensis differs from C. multiradiatus in possessing a longer maxillary barbel (28.4–38.2 vs. 22.9–27.7% SL) and pectoral fin spine (18.5–22.5 vs. 16.9–18.7% SL), and longer and wider accessory tooth plates with large and numerous molariform teeth (vs. shorter and narrow accessory tooth plates with small and few molariform teeth). Cathorops manglarensis differs from C. tuyra in possessing a longer internal mental barbel (12.5–17.9 vs. 8.20–12.4% SL) and pectoral fin spine (18.5–22.5 vs. 16.9–18.7% SL), shorter nuchal plate (5.0–6.8 vs. 6.8–7.5% SL), longer anal fin base (21.0–24.5 vs. 13.9–18.3% SL), deeper caudal peduncle (7.8–8.9 vs. 5.8–7.8% SL), and accessory tooth plates and dentary with moderately large molariform teeth (vs. accessory tooth plates and dentary with very large molariform teeth) .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Cathorops Manglarensis is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Tropical South America: Colombia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish
Trophic Level
4.2±0.8

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00468 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
19.5cm

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
24.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Marceniuk, 2007

⚠️ 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

"Cathorops Manglarensis 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 Cathorops Manglarensis is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Cathorops Manglarensis 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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