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Neoarius pectoralis (Kailola, 2000)

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Relevant Information:

Habitat: Found in coastal waters, estuaries and rivers within tidal influence; among mangroves. Description: Head large, eye large, head shield granular with a long narrow median groove; Snout acutely pointed, lips fleshy and crenulated, lower jaw squarish; Inner margin of pectoral-fin spine with large flattened serrations; Caudal fin with slender pointed lobes. Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 22; Vertebrae: 51. Palatal teeth in two oblique, oval patches; one on each side of palate, well separated. Snout acute; lips fleshy, crenulate; lower jaw truncate. Head shield granular; dorsomedian head groove lanceolate, narrow distally. Eye large, 17-28% HL. Large, flattened serrae along inner margin of pectoral spine; caudal fin lobes slender, acute. Rakers present along posterior face of all gill arches. Colouration: Distinct, blackish margin on dorsal, pectoral and inner caudal fins. Etymology: The specific name 'pectoralis' is from Latin meaning 'shoulder', in reference to the strong serrations along the inner margin of the pectoral-fin spine. Remarks: A large fork-tailed catfish with venomous spines that may inflict a very painful wound.

Common Name:

Sawspine Catfish

Synonyms:

Arius pectoralis

Family:

Ariidae

Distribution:

Western Central Pacific: Irian Jaya and Australia. Probably also occurring in southern Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby to the Kempwelch River area). Type locality: Chapman River, Queensland, 14º56'S, 141º38'E, Australia.

Size:

39.0cm. (15½ins)

Temp:

p.H.

Reference:

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.
Dianne J. Bray, Neoarius in Fishes of Australia, accessed 04 Sep 2020. Fishes of Australia.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2019 ).
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.

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

Neoarius pectoralis
Holotype-Chapman River, Queensland

Neoarius pectoralis
Holotype-dorsal view, Chapman River, Queensland

Neoarius pectoralis
Holotype-ventral view, Chapman River, Queensland

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