Salmon catfish (Neoarius leptaspis)

Latin name

Neoarius leptaspis

Other name

Boofhead catfish, freshwater forked tailed catfish, lesser salmon catfish, triangular shield catfish.

Identification

It was described by Pieter Bleeker in 1862, originally within the genus Hexanematichthys. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16-20.

Fish colouring

The body of this fish is silvery gray.

Distribution

Occupy the western Pacific: northern Australia and central-southern New Guinea.

Habitat

A marine, tropical, bottom-dwelling species. They live in marine, brackish and freshwater waters, with a maximum known depth of 135 m (443 ft). 

Size

Maximum length 60 cm. 

Behavior

Like to swim in freshwater in headwater streams, also found in brackish estuaries and lower reaches of rivers. 

Food and feeding habits

Their diet includes insects, clams, shrimp, swimmers and aquatic plants.

Reproduction

Breeds during the late dry and early wet seasons (September to January) in coastal lagoons and submerged marshes. Males incubate eggs orally until fry hatch and then guard them for 4 weeks. 

Fishing

Salmon catfish are harvested commercially and for aquarium culture.

Relationship with a person

They are an important food fish. 

Traumatogenic for humans.