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Lung-bladder sea catfish (Aspistor luniscutis) — Ariidae

Lung-bladder sea catfish

Aspistor luniscutis
Family: Ariidae

The Lung-bladder sea catfish (Aspistor luniscutis) is a fish of the family Ariidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Lung-bladder sea catfish is a sea catfish (Ariidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic off Brazil. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a sturdy, greyish, scaleless body with three pairs of barbels and an adipose fin. As a bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud for worms, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish; the male broods the large eggs in his mouth. The dorsal and pectoral spines are venomous and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lung-bladder sea catfish?

The Lung-bladder sea catfish is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Lung-bladder sea catfish live?

The Lung-bladder sea catfish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Lung-bladder sea catfish get?

The Lung-bladder sea catfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Lung-bladder sea catfish dangerous to humans?

The Lung-bladder sea catfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maanschild-zeemeerval sourced
English name
Lung-bladder sea catfish sourced
Scientific name
Aspistor luniscutis
Family
Ariidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
35 inferred
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aspistor

More from the family Ariidae

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