Shovelnose sea catfish (Arius subrostratus)

Latin name

Arius subrostratus

Other name

Short-nosed catfis, marine catfish

Identification

The species was first described in 1840 by Achille Valenciennes.

Features of fish fins

The sharp spines of the dorsal and pectoral fins can inflict painful wounds. 

Fish colouring

They have a silvery gray body color.

Distribution

They inhabit the tropical marine and brackish waters of the Indo-West Pacific, including Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. 

Habitat

A tropical marine brackish benthic species. They live at depths from 0 to 20 m (0 to 66 ft). 

Size

Fish reach a maximum body length of 39.5 centimeters (15.6 inches), but are usually found no longer than 12 centimeters (4.7 inches).

Behavior

It is a non-migratory species. They swim in marine waters as well as in estuaries and intertidal areas, sometimes hiding in the soft mud of mangroves. 

Food and feeding habits

Diet includes detritus, polychaete worms, diatoms, weedy algae, and various crustaceans.

Reproduction

In India, they spawn from January to April and from September to October. The males incubate the eggs in their mouths.

Fishing

They are commercially valuable for fishing. They are caught with nets and magnet baits. 

Relationship with a person

It's mostly sold fresh.