Arius africanus Günther, 1867
African sea catfish
photo by SAIAB

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  45 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Africa: Pangani River in Tanzania and estuaries of Madagascar (Ref. 3876).
Diagnosis:  Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 19-21. Description: Dorsal profile of head with a steep slope to first dorsal-fin base (Ref. 3290). Mouth with 3 pairs of barbels, the maxillary pair extending to slightly beyond pectoral-fin base; head shield not very granulated; supraoccipital process longer than broad at base, its hind end nearly straight; median longitudinal groove on head shallow, extending to just behind posterior margin of orbit anteriorly, not reaching supraoccipital process posteriorly; premaxillary band of teeth in upper jaw 5 times as long as broad, mandibulary band of teeth in lower jaw deeply curved and medially interrupted; palate teeth, on roof of mouth, granular, in a single triangular patch on each side, diverging behind, with a conical projection at the anterior end, well separated (Ref. 3290). First dorsal and pectoral fins each with a strong spine; total anal fin rays 19-21 (Ref. 3290).

Colouration: Back brownish, sides silvery, belly white (Ref. 3290).

Biology:  Arius africanus is a coastal species, mostly found in freshwater (Ref. 52331), but probably it inhabits also estuaries (Ref. 3290, 5213). It feeds mainly on invertebrates and small fishes (Ref. 3290).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 08 February 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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