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💧 Freshwater Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

New Granada sea catfish

Notarius bonillai Miles, 1945
Max Length
80 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Typical Length
40 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found in turbid water over muddy bottoms in the lower portions of streams, estuaries and mangrove-lined lagoons. Mostly restricted to fresh and brackish waters.

Scientific Name
Notarius bonillai
Authority
Miles, 1945
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
80 cm
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
49.00/100

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21. Distinguished by having an elongated parieto-supraoccipital process, which is broader at base than distally, with its sides converging posteriorly to meet the predorsal plate, and 1.6 to 2.0 times longer than the width of its base. Differs also from other Caribbean sea catfishes by having 3 pairs of barbels, a crescent-shaped predorsal plate, much shorter than the parieto-supraoccipital process, and by lacking a fleshy furrow between posterior nostrils, a fleshy groove in a median depression of the head, and gill rakers on rear surfaces of the first two gill arches. Diagnosed from the eastern Pacific Notarius cookei by having a deeper body, with body depth 20.0-20.5% SL (vs. 17.3-17.9% SL in N. cookei). Attains a larger size of at least up to 8.45 cm TL and has a less exposed and rugose head shield than N. cookei with maximum size of 7.9 TL .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for New Granada sea catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

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

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical; 11°N - 1°N

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.6±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00708 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
80cm
Dorsal Spines
1
Dorsal Rays
7
Anal Rays
20

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
49.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Miles, 1945

⚠️ 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

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