📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal waters and estuaries. Feeds mainly on invertebrates. Caught mainly with bottom trawls, stake traps, shore seines, set bagnets and on hook and line. An important food fish .
Scientific Name
Plicofollis platystomus
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Flatmouth sea catfish is currently being
compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Flatmouth sea catfish is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
📦 Batch Spawner
👄 Mouth Brooder
Spawning Season
spring-summer
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Tropical Indian Ocean: India and Sri Lanka.
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
🌿 Brackish
⬇️ Benthic
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.00794 × L3.08
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
27.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
⚠️ 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
"Flatmouth sea 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 Flatmouth sea catfish is
currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Flatmouth sea 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 |
| - |
- |
- |
|
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
|
Scientific Name |
Author |
Year |
Status |
|
Arius platystomus |
Day |
1877 |
Synonym
|
|
Tachysurus platystomus |
Day |
1877 |
Synonym
|
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed
.