Scientific Name
Sciades herzbergii

Common Name
Pemecou sea catfish

Biology
Adults occur in turbid estuaries, mangrove-lined lagoons and lower parts of rivers being very tolerant to changes in salinity. Found on shallow soft bottoms (Ref. 5217). Feed on a large variety of bottom-living and pelagic organisms including those found among the roots of mangroves. Reproduction occurs between September and December. A female lays 20-30 eggs, with a diameter of 10-12 mm. Males incubate the eggs in their mouth (Ref. 35381).

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1794

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Sea catfishes (Ariidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: 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

3.28 s.e. 0.39 Based on food items.

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

94.2 cm

Common Length

30.0 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: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2-3; Fec=200)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 58010)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated