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🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Kukwari sea catfish

Notarius phrygiatus Valenciennes, 1840
← All Species
Max Length
35.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
1–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
30.00/100
Typical Length
20 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Occurs in brackish estuaries with very low salinities, nearly entering freshwater . Found on shallow muddy bottoms . The female lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass on a sandy depression. Mouth brooding males guard the eggs until hatching . Marketed fresh.

Scientific Name
Notarius phrygiatus
Authority
Valenciennes, 1840
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
35.5 cm
Depth Range
1–20 m
Latitude
18°S – 12°N
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
30.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Kukwari sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Kukwari sea 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; depth range 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 12°N - 18°S, 72°W - 34°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00661 × L3.2 (TL)
Max TL
35.5cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
30.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
12°N – 18°S
Described By
Valenciennes, 1840

⚠️ 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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