Chomba Sea-catfish
📖 Overview
Chomba Sea-catfish (Notarius biffi), first described by R. & Acero P., 2004 is a medium-sized fish in the family Ariidae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 32.40 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 9 to 30 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Notarius biffi is distinguished from other EP species of Notarius by the following combination of features: a small mouth, its width 34.2–39.3% (mean 36.2%) HL; eye large, its diameter 3.8–4.5% (mean 4.2%); short mandibulary barbels, their length 10.2–13.1% (mean 11.6%) SL; short anterior internarial distance, 17.9–20.8% (mean 19.4%) HL; relatively slender caudal peduncle, depth 6.1–6.7% (mean 6.4%) SL; and gill rakers on first arch 3–4+7–8 (mode 12). The combination of the following characters also distinguish this species from other EP ariids: triangular humeral process, three pairs of barbels present, fleshy furrow between posterior nostrils absent, fleshy groove in median depression of head absent, coarse to sharp granules or spinulations on anterior surface of head shield absent, and gill rakers on rear surfaces of first two gill arches absent (Ref 54794).
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Chomba Sea-catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 9 - 30 m . Tropical Central Pacific: tropical Eastern Pacific from central and north Costa Rica and El Salvador.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 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
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Chomba Sea-catfish |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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