Sawspine catfish (Neoarius pectoralis)

Scientific name: Neoarius pectoralis Kailola, 2000

The Sawspine catfish (Neoarius pectoralis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ariidae. Native range: Western Central Pacific, Irian Jaya and Australia. Probably also occurring in southern Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby to the Kempwelch River area).

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 22; Vertebrae: 51. Palatal teeth in two oblique, oval patches; one on each side of palate, well separated. Snout acute; lips fleshy, crenulate; lower jaw truncate. Head shield granular; dorsomedian head groove lanceolate, narrow distally. Eye large, 17-28% HL. Large, flattened serrae along inner margin of pectoral spine; caudal fin lobes slender, acute. Rakers present along posterior face of all gill arches. Distinct, blackish margin on dorsal, pectoral and inner caudal fins.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Neoarius pectoralis
Family
Ariidae (Sea catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
39.3
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Central Pacific: Irian Jaya and Australia. Probably also occurring in southern Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby to the Kempwelch River area).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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