Latin name

Arius arius

Other name

Hamilton's catfish, marine catfis, jella.

Identification

The species was described by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton in 1822, originally as part of the genus Pimelodus.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0.

Fish colouring

The body of this fish is silvery gray.

Distribution

Inhabit the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, including Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and China. 

Habitat

These fish live in tropical brackish and marine waters.

Size

The maximum length is 40 centimeters (16 inches), but 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) is more common.

Behavior

This species is migratory. 

Food and feeding habits

The diet consists of fish of the genus Stolephorus and silver-bellied clams, as well as crabs, clams, shrimp and other invertebrates. 

Reproduction

They feed the eggs in their mouths. 

Fishing

Of commercial interest to fisheries.

Relationship with a person

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently lists the species as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and lack of known threats, although it notes that the collection of empirical data on the effects of fishing on the population may lead to a reassessment.