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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical

Flapnose sea catfish

Sciades dowii Gill, 1863
Max Length
90 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
4
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
53.00/100
Typical Length
50 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found in estuaries and rivers . Feeds on small fishes and benthic invertebrates . Marketed fresh and dried-salted .

Scientific Name
Sciades dowii
Authority
Gill, 1863
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
90 cm
Latitude
2°S – 8°N
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
53.00/100

🐟 Physical Description

Body elongate, not very robust; nostrils connected through the snout by a narrow flap of skin; eyes small (8 to 12 times in head length); cephalic plate entirely covered with thick granules, its edges striate; lower branch of the first gill arch with 17 gill rakers; adipose fin located over the end of the anal fin, its length two to three times that of the dorsal fin. Body blue-brown or blue-gray; belly white; fins dark with numerous brown spots; maxillary barbels dark gray .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Flapnose sea catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Flapnose sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Flapnose sea catfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical; 8°N - 2°S Central and South America: fresh and brackish water along Pacific side from Panama to Ecuador.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4±0.62
Food Items

small fishes and benthic invertebrates (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00398 × L3.18 (TL)
Max TL
90cm

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2007

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
53.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
8°N – 2°S
Described By
Gill, 1863

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Flapnose sea catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Flapnose 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

👥 Community & Contribute

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