Description:
Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 19; Vertebrae:
55 - 57. Total gill rakers 11-14 on last arch. Eye
diameter 8.9-15.3% HL. Because of its similarity to
N.
midgleyorum,
the remaining diagnosis refers to both N. midgleyorum
and N. 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. Reproduction: Large
eggs are incubated in the mouth of the male for 5-6
weeks. Diet:Predominantly
predatory but becoming a facultative omnivore during
the dry season; feed on fish (often bony bream); aquatic
and terrestrial insects and their larvae; beetles
and crustaceans. Remarks:
In some online sources the synonym Sciades paucus
is still being used (2020).
Common
Name:
Shovelnose
catfish
Synonyms:
Arius paucus, Sciades paucus
Family:
Ariidae
Distribution:
Northern
Australia. Roper and Flinders River systems,
and other rivers draining into Gulf of Carpentaria,
Australia. Type locality: Flinders
River near Maxwellton (20º47'S, 142º43'E),
Queensland, Australia.
Size:
130cm TL. (52ins)
Temp:
-
p.H.
-
Reference:
Dave
[email protected]/ Froese,
R. and D. Pauly.
Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic
publication. www.fishbase.org, version (12/2019). Gomon, M.F. & Bray, D.J. 2020.
Arius paucus Kailola 2000, The Beagle. Rec. Mus. Art.
Gall. N. Terr. 16: 127-144 Flinders River, near Maxwellton,
QLD [20°47’S, 142°43’E] Kailola, P.J., 2000. Six new species
of fork-tailed catfishes (Pisces, Teleostei, Ariidae)
from Australia and New Guinea. Beagle, Rec. Mus. Art
Galler. North. Territ. 16:127-144.
Neoarius
paucus Showing the tooth patches in the roof of the mouth-Westmoreland
Gorge, Lagoon Creek, Queensland
Neoarius
paucus Dorsal head view-Pioneer Lagoon, Lagoon
Creek, Queensland
Neoarius
paucus Pioneer Lagoon, Lagoon Creek, Queensland
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