Scientific Name
Cathorops melanopus

Common Name
Dark sea catfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal soft rays: 19 - 20. Distinguished from all other species of Cathorops by the possession of the following features: gill rakers on first arch 16-18; anal fin with 19-20 rays; snout length 5.3-5.5% SL; and posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with prominent serrations, except in Cathorops aguadulce, Cathorops kailolae, Cathorops multiradiatus, and Cathorops tuyra. Can be further differentiated from other congeners by the following combination of characters: distance from tip of snout to dorsal-fin origin 30.0-32.6% SL; distance from tip of snout to posterior margin of dorsomedian groove of neurocranium 17.9-19.1% SL; absence of fleshy papillae intercalated with gill rakers on first two arches; head length 22.3-23.0% SL; distance between lateral cornu of lateral ethmoid and external limb of supracleithrum 19.3-19.6% SL; distance between the anterior nostrils 3.6-4.4% SL; distance between posterior nostrils 4.4-5.1%

Classification

Classified By

G?nther, 1864

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Sea catfishes (Ariidae)

Distribution

Region

Central America

Distribution

Central America: Rio Motagua, Guatemala; probably in the Honduran portion of the rio Motagua near itsmouth. Reports from Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama by previous authors are erroneous.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

4.28 s.e. 0.77 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

23.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (29 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 58010)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated