Smooth-headed catfish
📖 Overview
Smooth-headed catfish (Plicofollis nella), first described by Valenciennes, 1840 is a large fish in the family Ariidae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 47.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species is venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Smooth-headed catfish is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Smooth-headed catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal. Tropical South and southeast Asia, southern New Guinea and northern Australia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 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 | Shieldhead Catfish · shieldheaded catfish |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Tokaihamagigi · トウカイハマギギ |
| 🌍THA | ปลากดหัวแข็ง |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 內爾海鯰 · 內爾褶囊海鯰 · 成仔丁 · 成仔魚 · 白肉成 · 臭臊成 · 銀成 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arius leiotetocephalus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
| Arius nella | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Bagrus meyenii | Müller & Troschel | 1849 | Synonym |
| Pimelodus nella | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Tachysurus leiotetocephalus | Bleeker | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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