| Family: |
Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae |
| Max. size: |
70 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 5,500.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts and northern Gulf of Mexico to southern Florida in USA and Mexico. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: gill rakers on the first and second gill arches 29-32; osseous medial groove present; fleshy medial groove of neurocranium conspicuous and long, always surpassing the posterior margin of eyes; lateral margin of sphenotic notched, narrower medially than anteriorly; pterotic lateral margin smoothly convex; lateral margin of sphenotic notched, narrower medially than anteriorly; mouth 9.1-11.5% SL; close anterior nostrils 4.6-6.4% SL, close posterior nostrils 4.2-7.1% SL; mesethmoid median portion narrow, mesethmoid medial notch narrow and deep; gill rakers on the first gill arch 13–15, rarely 16; external posterior branch of lateral ethmoid columnar and thin; fenestra delimited by mesethmoid and lateral ethmoid conspicuous (Ref. 116660). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit continental waters and enter estuaries. Found in turbid waters over muddy bottoms. Males incubate eggs in the mouth (Ref. 205). Commonly captured from catwalks, bridges and piers, particularly in passes and inland waterways. Edible, but generally not consumed (Ref. 7251). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 January 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
traumatogenic |
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