Salmon catfish
📖 Overview
Occurs in lakes, rivers, muddy coastal seas and estuaries . Inhabits fresh water in upper reaches of streams, also found in brackish estuaries and lower reaches of rivers . Feeds on fishes, prawns, insects, terrestrial fruits, aquatic plants, bottom detritus and mollusks . Breeds between the late dry and early wet season (September to January) in coastal lagoons and flooded swamps. Males orally incubate the eggs until they hatch and guard the fry for about 4 weeks afterwards. A good angling and eating species .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 20. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Salmon catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Salmon catfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Salmon catfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range ? - 135 m . Tropical; 1°S - 19°S
🌿 Ecology
fishes, prawns, insects, terrestrial fruits, aquatic plants, bottom detritus (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Salmon 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 Salmon catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Salmon catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Boofheaded Catfish · Salmon Catfish |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ariopsis leptaspis | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Arius leptaspis | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Hexanematichthys leptaspis | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Sciades leptaspis | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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