Arius arius (Hamilton, 1822)
Threadfin sea catfish
photo by Osmany, H.B.

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: India through neighboring coastal states (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, Ref. 4833) to Singapore, South China Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-22. Head shield smooth anteriorly with a series of granules and rugae posteriorly. Adipose fin with a large black spot. Lateral line bifurcating at the base of tail. Gill rakers present on the hind aspect of all gill arches. Dorsal spine with a filament at its tip. Moderately deep caudal peduncle, 1.5 to 2.1 (mean 1.8) in its depth. (Ref. 38478).
Biology:  Common in estuaries, tidal rivers and brackish water lakes. Feeds mostly on invertebrates. Caught mainly with bagnets, dipnets and bamboo stake traps, also on hook and line (Ref. 3290).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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