Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Ariidae (Sea catfishes) > Ariinae
Eponymy: Dr Stephen Hamar Midgley (1918–2014) was an amateur ichthyologist and limnologist whose honorary doctorate was awarded by the University of Queensland (1994). [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Tropical
Oceania: northern Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 140 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); common length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Anal soft rays: 16 - 19; Vertebrae: 55 - 57. Eye size 12.9-21.8% HL. Because of its similarity to A. paucus, the remaining diagnosis refers to both A. midgleyi and A. paucus: a sleek body; strong jaws; jaws upturned slightly at symphyses, mouth broad; snout truncate in profile; head oblong, its width averaging 66% HL. Supraoccipital process narrow with parallel margins. Numerous fine, sharp teeth on palate in transverse band of four oblong groups. No rakers on posterior aspect of gill arches. Barbels thin and short, rarely reaching beyond pectoral fin base and less than 25% SL (Ref. 40908).
Inhabits in lakes, billabongs, rivers and to a lesser extent brackish estuaries and the tidal portion of rivers. Found in clear or turbid fresh water reservoirs and waterholes. Water is typically warm (23-35°C), with pH between 7.0-8.7 (Ref. 44894). Feeds mainly on fishes, prawns and crayfish. Various arthropods are also consumed. Breeds early in the wet season, sometimes extending into the late wet (November to March). Eggs are incubated orally by the male for 5-6 weeks; brooding males form groups in deeper water. Juveniles grow quickly, attaining 20-30 centimeters by the end of the first year, and sexual maturity is reached after 3 years. An excellent eating fish, rapidly growing in popularity (Ref. 44894).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 58010)
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5010 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01000 (0.00244 - 0.04107), b=3.04 (2.81 - 3.27), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.1 ±0.61 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Very high vulnerability (90 of 100).
