White barbel (Galeichthys feliceps) fish species and information / pictures of White barbel - Galeichthys feliceps

White barbel (Galeichthys feliceps) fish species information

Scientific Name
Galeichthys feliceps

Common Name
White barbel

Biology
Generally found in large shoals on muddy bottoms in turbid waters, usually on the coastline and estuaries. Also found in rivers (Ref. 3976). Feed on crayfish, small fish, and crabs (Ref. 27121). Considered a nuisance of shore and ski-boat anglers in southern Africa as little else is caught (Ref. 12484). Spines are poisonous and wounds should be treated immediately. Marketed smoked (Ref. 36731).

Classification

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

Distribution

Region
Southeast Atlantic
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: Walvis Bay, Namibia to the vicinity of East london, South Africa (Ref. 85159). Records from Guinea-Bissau as Tachysurus feliceps and from Guinea as Arius feliceps are erroneous.
Range
41°N - 28°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
120 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 120 m (Ref. 27121)
Trophic Level
3.47 s.e. 0.51 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
55.0 cm
Common Length
35.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2-3)
Threat To Humans
  Venomous (Ref. 4716)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated