Ariopsis seemanni (Günther, 1864)
Tete sea catfish
Ariopsis seemanni
photo by Landines, M.

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  44.4 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 912.3 g
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; pH range: 6.80000019073486 - 8; dH range: 8 - 30
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: El Salvador to Panama.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: osseous medial groove present; lateral margin of sphenotic notched, narrower medially than anteriorly; fleshy medial groove of neurocranium, never surpassing posterior margin of eyes; pterotic lateral margin convex, sometimes angled; gill rakers on the first and second gill arches 30-36; mouth narrow 9.7-12.7% SL; median portion of mesethmoid narrow, medial notch of mesethmoid narrow and deep; external posterior branch of lateral ethmoid columnar and thin; fenestra delimited by mesethmoid and lateral ethmoid conspicuous (Ref. 116660).
Biology:  Common in coastal marine and brackish waters (Ref. 9271). Inhabits medium and large rivers to an elevation of at least 25 m (Ref. 36880). Marketed fresh or salted (Ref. 9271). Aquarium keeping: not suitable for home aquarium; adults in seawater; minimum aquarium size >150 cm (Ref. 51539).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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