Crucifix sea catfish (Sciades proops) fish species and information / pictures of Crucifix sea catfish - Sciades proops

Crucifix sea catfish (Sciades proops) fish species information

Scientific Name
Sciades proops

Common Name
Crucifix sea catfish

Biology
Inhabits mainly brackish estuaries and lagoons. Occurs also in freshwaters (Ref. 58022). Found on shallow muddy bottoms (Ref. 5217). Feeds on fish and shrimps. Two annual cycles of slower growth occur during the dry seasons (March and August to November). Life span is three to four years. Sexually mature at 1.5 to 2 years of age. Reproduction takes place from November to April. Consumed as food (Ref. 35381). Marketed fresh. The skull is sold throughout the world as crucifix.

Classification

Classified By
Valenciennes, 1840
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family
Sea catfishes (Ariidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Caribbean and Atlantic draining rivers and estuaries from Colombia to Brazil.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal
Trophic Level
4.35 s.e. 0.77 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
100.0 cm
Common Length
50.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=1.5; tmax=3.5; K=0.5)
Threat To Humans
  Traumatogenic (Ref. 36613)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated