Arius subrostratus Valenciennes, 1840
Shovelnose sea catfish
photo by FAO

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  39.5 cm NG (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Pakistan east to Thailand then south to the Philippines and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found in marine waters, as well as estuaries and tidal rivers, at times burrowed in the soft mud of the mangroves. Feed mainly on invertebrates. Males incubate the eggs in the buccal cavity (Ref. 43081). The sharp dorsal and pectoral fin spines can inflict painful wounds. Also caught with dipnets and set bagnets. Sold mostly fresh.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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