Scientific Name
Amphiarius rugispinis

Common Name
Softhead sea catfish

Biology
Coastal, found chiefly in turbid waters of estuaries and around river mouths. Reproduction appears to be between September to November. Egg diameter is 14-15 mm, numbering about 30-35 per female. Males practice mouth brooding (Ref. 35381). Marketed fresh and salted; exported frozen (Ref. 5217).

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1840

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Sea catfishes (Ariidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Guyana to the mouth of the Amazon River.

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

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal

Trophic Level

3.57 s.e. 0.39 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

45.0 cm

Common Length

30.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (40 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