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🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Softhead sea catfish

Notarius rugispinis Valenciennes, 1840
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Max Length
47 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
40.00/100
Typical Length
30 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Coastal, found chiefly in turbid waters of estuaries and around river mouths. Reproduction appears to be between September to November. Egg diameter is 14-15 mm, numbering about 30-35 per female. Males practice mouth brooding . Marketed fresh and salted; exported frozen .

Scientific Name
Notarius rugispinis
Authority
Valenciennes, 1840
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
47 cm
Latitude
3°S – 8°N
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
40.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Softhead sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Softhead 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. Tropical; 8°N - 3°S, 59°W - 43°W South America: Guyana to Maranhão, Brazil.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.48

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00589 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
47cm

🌡️ 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
40.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
8°N – 3°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

👥 Community & Contribute

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