📖 Overview
Found in marine, coastal waters, as well as in estuaries and river mouths. Feeds mainly on invertebrates and small fishes. Caught with shore seines, dipnets, stake traps and set bagnets. Sold mostly fresh in markets.
Scientific Name
Osteogeneiosus militaris
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Soldier catfish is currently being
compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Soldier catfish is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
📦 Batch Spawner
👄 Mouth Brooder
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical West Pacific: west coast of India to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, Malacca, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia.
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
💧 Freshwater
🌿 Brackish
⬇️ Benthic
Food Items
invertebrates and small fishes
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.00575 × L3.12
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
26.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Described By
Linnaeus, 1758
⚠️ Venom Profile
Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention
if envenomated.
Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Delivery
dorsal and pectoral spines with venom glands
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
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Soldier catfish is an edible species."
✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking
Grilling
Pan-frying
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Soldier catfish is
currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Soldier catfish has not yet been
assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year |
Region |
Index |
Notes |
| - |
- |
- |
|
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed
.