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🌊 Marine ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Sawspine catfish

Neoarius pectoralis Kailola, 2000
Max Length
39.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
39.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Sawspine catfish (Neoarius pectoralis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ariidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 39.3 cm. With a trophic level of 3.6, it is a mid-level predator. Venomous.

Scientific Name
Neoarius pectoralis
Authority
Kailola, 2000
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Max Length
39.3 cm
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
39.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Siluriformes
Siluriformes
Family
Ariidae
Ariidae
Genus
Neoarius
Neoarius
Species
Sawspine catfish
Neoarius pectoralis

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 22; Vertebrae: 51. Palatal teeth in two oblique, oval patches; one on each side of palate, well separated. Snout acute; lips fleshy, crenulate; lower jaw truncate. Head shield granular; dorsomedian head groove lanceolate, narrow distally. Eye large, 17-28% HL. Large, flattened serrae along inner margin of pectoral spine; caudal fin lobes slender, acute. Rakers present along posterior face of all gill arches. Distinct, blackish margin on dorsal, pectoral and inner caudal fins .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Sawspine catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner 👄 Mouth Brooder
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal. Tropical Central Pacific: Irian Jaya and Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.6±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00468 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
39.3cm
Dorsal Spines
1
Dorsal Rays
7
Anal Rays
20
Vertebrae
51

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
39.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Kailola, 2000

⚠️ 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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Sawspine Catfish · Sawspined Catfish
🌍CES křížovec chapmanský

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Ariopsis pectoralis Kailola 2000 Synonym
Arius pectoralis Kailola 2000 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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