Home · Ariidae · Guri sea catfish
Guri sea catfish (Genidens genidens) — Ariidae

Guri sea catfish

Genidens genidens
Family: Ariidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Guri sea catfish (Genidens genidens) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ariidae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
42.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The guri sea catfish is a sea catfish from coastal and estuarine water of eastern South America. The species grows to about 43 cm and has a stocky, greyish body with barbels and strong, serrated spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins that are linked to venom and can inflict painful stings. As a bottom-dweller it searches turbid estuaries for worms, crustaceans and detritus. Males brood the eggs in the mouth. It is a local food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guri sea catfish?

The Guri sea catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Guri sea catfish live?

The Guri sea catfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Guri sea catfish get?

The Guri sea catfish grows to a maximum of about 43 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Guri sea catfish dangerous to humans?

The Guri sea catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Guri sea catfish edible?

Yes, the Guri sea catfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guri-zeemeerval verified
English name
Guri sea catfish verified
Scientific name
Genidens genidens
Family
Ariidae
Other names
Marine catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.5 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netten en handlijnen sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Genidens

More from the family Ariidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →