Couma sea catfish
📖 Overview
Confined chiefly to turbid waters in estuaries and the lower parts of rivers. Its delicate flesh is highly valued . Two annual cycles of slower growth are know during the two dry seasons (March and August to November). Probably has a short life span. In the beginning of reproduction, the male's mouth changes to function as a egg repository (buccal incubation). The female lays down her eggs in a sandy depression, then after fertilization, the male puts the eggs into its mouth which is provided with ventilation until hatching. Eggs diameter is about 2 mm and its number varies from 100 to 165 per female. Feeds mainly on crustaceans . Marketed fresh and salted.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1. The head is rounded and flattened on the upper part. The mouth is slightly inferior. It has 3 pairs of barbels (1 pair of maxillary barbels and 2 pairs of mandibular barbels. The cephalic surface is very rough .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Couma sea catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing. Mouth brooding may be employed .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical; 11°N - 8°S, 77°W - 34°W South America: Gulf of Paria to Pernambuco, Brazil.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 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
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Couma sea catfish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 166 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Couma sea catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 134 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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