SCOTCAT.COM  

Dave Wilson (3)

The Australian species of the Ariidae family have been revised andplaced in a new genus, Neoarius. "Neo" meaning new in Latin. Description: Anal soft rays: 16 – 19; Vertebrae: 55 – 57. Eye size 12.9-21.8% HL. Because of its similarity to A. paucus, the remaining diagnosis refers to both A. midgleyi and A. paucus: a sleek body; strong jaws; jaws upturned slightly at symphyses, mouth broad; snout truncate in profile; head oblong, its width averaging 66% HL. Supraoccipital process narrow with parallel margins. Numerous fine, sharp teeth on palate in transverse band of  four oblong groups. No rakers on posterior aspect of gill arches. Barbels thin and short, rarely reaching beyond pectoral fin base and less than 25% SL . Inhabits in lakes, billabongs, rivers and to a lesser extent brackish estuaries and the tidal portion of rivers. Habitat: Found in clear or turbid fresh water reservoirs and waterholes. Reproduction: Breeds early in the wet  season, sometimes extending into the late wet (November to March). Eggs are incubated orally by the male for 5-6 weeks; brooding males form groups in deeper water. Juveniles grow quickly, attaining 20-30 centimeters by the end of the first year, and sexual maturity is reached after 3 years. An excellent eating fish, rapidly growing in popularity. This one is not as common as some of the other salmon tailed catfishes but does grow very large. There are plenty in Lake Argyle WA and the WA Gov changed the name to Silver Cobbler to sell the flesh in the Perth Fish Markets. Diet: Feeds mainly on fishes, prawns and crayfish. Various arthropods are also consumed. Etymology: The genus name Neoarius: Neo means "new" in latin and Arius is Derived from the Greek word Apelos (pronounced Araios) which means "sanctified by the god of war", and refers to the bony structure extending from the skull covering to the powerful thorn of the first dorsal fin ray. The specific name midgleyi: in honour of Stephen Hamar Midgley (1918-2014), amateur ichthyologist and limnologist, and his wife Mary, for bringing this catfish to the attention of the senior author, and for their “enthusiastic and dedicated study” of the fresh waters of northern Australia [preferably spelled midgleyorum since name honours more than one person, but ICZN 32.5.1 forbids such a correction].

Silver Cobbler

Arius midgleyi, Neoarius midgleyorum

Ariidae

Oceania: Northern Australia. Victoria River, Northern Territory.

140cm SL. (4ft-8ins)

23-25°C (73-77°F)

7.0-8.5.

Dave Wilson @ aquagreen.com.au/
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2008. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (11/2008).
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.