Description:
Two pairs of barbels on rostral region, one pair on
lower jaw, one pair on posterior end of maxilla; end
of maxilla barbel beyond anal fin origin; pectoral
spine filament long, reaching anal fin origin. Colouration:
Dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fin membranes black;
anal fin membrane black distally (some individuals
white), white proximally; body silver gray or blue
grey dorsally, silver white ventrally. Habitat:
Chiefly marine, common around river mouths and also
entering river estuaries. Reproduction:
reproductive season in French Guiana is from May to
November; male incubates the eggs in his mouth until
they hatch; for a few days the newborn (30-40mm) may
hide in the mouth of the male in the presence of danger.
Diet: Feeds on small fishes and invertebrates,
such as crustaceans. Etymology: The
genus and specific name of bagre: meaning
tautonymous with Silurus bagre; according
to Marcgrave (1648), a Portuguese word for catfish
used in Brazil, presumably first applied to B.
bagre.
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