SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Arius africanus Günther, 1867

Image contributors to this species:

FAO (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

The African sea catfish (Arius africanus), also known as the marine catfish, is a species of sea catfish in the family Ariidae. It was described by Albert Günther in 1867 and it reaches a maximum standard length of 45cm (18 in). Habitat: Coastal species found in tropical brackish and freshwater in Tanzania, Madagascar, and the Pangani River. Known from the lower to middle reaches of drainages along the western coast of Madagascar and Eastern Africa. Diet: The diet of the African sea catfish consists of small finfish and invertebrates. Etymology: The specific name africanus: from Africa. Remarks: This species is assessed as Data Deficient as little is currently known regarding the status of subpopulations from throughout its range. More research is required (IUCN 2017).

Common Name:

African sea catfish

Synonyms:

Arius falcarius africana, Arius falcarius africanus, Tachysurus africanus.

Family:

Ariidae

Distribution:

Africa: Pangani River, Tanzania and estuaries of Madagascar.

Size:

45.0cm (18ins)

Temp:

20-27°c (67-81°f)

p.H.

7.0-8.5.

Reference:

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 07/2023 ).
Playfair, R. L. and A. Günther, 1867 The fishes of Zanzibar, with a list of the fishes of the whole east coast of Africa. London. i-xix + 1-153, Pls. 1-21.
Sparks, J.S. 2017. Arius africanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.
Taylor, W.R., 1986. Ariidae. p. 153-159. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISBN, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2.

Family: Ariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Arius africanus
Line drawing-Tanzania

If you would like to contribute to the monthly factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail me. You will of course be credited for your work.

If you would like to donate any denomination of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few years yet.