Scientific Name
Amphiarius phrygiatus

Common Name
Kukwari sea catfish

Biology
Occurs in brackish estuaries with very low salinities, nearly entering freshwater (Ref. 5217). Found on shallow muddy bottoms (Ref. 5217). The female lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass on a sandy depression. Mouth brooding males guard the eggs until hatching (Ref. 35381). Marketed fresh.

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1840

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Sea catfishes (Ariidae)

Distribution

Region

Atlantic

Distribution

Atlantic: draining rivers and estuaries from Guyana to the mouth of the Amazon River.

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; brackish; demersal

Trophic Level

3.49 s.e. 0.38 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 58010)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated