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Notarius phrygiatus (Valenciennes, 1840)

Image contributors to this species:

Matheus M. Rotundo (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Habitat: Occurs in brackish estuaries with very low salinities, nearly entering freshwater. Found on shallow muddy bottoms. Colouration: Grey-brown above, paler below; fins grey, tail fin with blackish edge. Reproduction: The female lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass on a sandy depression. Mouth brooding males guard the eggs until hatching. Diet: Classified as carnivorous, with a preference for crustaceans (Isopoda and Decapoda). Etymology: The genus name Notarius: Etymology not explained, perhaps notus, back, referring to large occipital process of type species, N. grandicassis, formerly placed in Arius. The specific name phrygiatus: Embroidered, referring to the latero-sensory canals, “which form a sort of embroidery pleasant to the eye” (translation). Remarks: Notarius phrygiatus is a rare species with a broad distribution. It inhabits brackish estuaries and lower reaches of rivers. There is little information on its population structure and dynamics. It is taken occasionally in artisanal fisheries and consumed locally. Fishing is not considered to be a major threat. Therefore, it is listed as Least Concern (IUCN 2015). This species is still found on some online sources as the former synonym, Amphiarius phrygiatus.

Common Name:

Kukwari sea catfish

Synonyms:

Amphiarius phrygiatus, Arius phrygiatus, Cathorops phrygiatus

Family:

Ariidae

Distribution:

Western Atlantic: Atlantic coastal rivers and estuaries from Guyana to mouth of Amazon River (Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela).

Size:

35.5cm (14¼ins)

Temp:

20-27°c (67-81°f)

p.H.

7.0-8.5.

Reference:

Marceniuk, Alexandre P.; Menezes, Naércio A. (2007). "Systematics of the family Ariidae (Ostariophysi, Siluriformes), with a redefinition of the genera" Zootaxa 1416: 1–126.
Marceniuk, A.P., Betancur, R., Giarrizzo, T., Fredou, F.L. & Knudsen, S. 2015. Amphiarius phrygiatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015.
Nelson, J.S., 2006. Fishes of the World. 4th ed. Hoboken (New Jersey, USA): John Wiley & Sons. xix+601 p.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 10/2023 ).
Taylor, W.R. and N.A. Menezes, 1978. Ariidae. In W. Fischer (ed.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. West Atlantic (Fishing Area 31). volume 1. [pag. var.]. FAO, Rome.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Notarius phrygiatus

Notarius phrygiatus
Dorsal view

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