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Broadbent's sea catfish (Plicofollis argyropleuron) — Ariidae

Broadbent's sea catfish

Plicofollis argyropleuron
Family: Ariidae

The Broadbent's sea catfish (Plicofollis argyropleuron) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ariidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Broadbent's sea catfish is a sea catfish (Ariidae) from coastal and brackish water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, greyish body with barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it searches turbid coastal and estuarine water for worms, crustaceans and small fish; the male broods the eggs in his mouth. Before the dorsal fin and each pectoral fin stands a stout, venomous spine that causes a painful wound; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadbent's sea catfish?

The Broadbent's sea catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Broadbent's sea catfish live?

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

How big does the Broadbent's sea catfish get?

The Broadbent's sea catfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Broadbent's sea catfish dangerous to humans?

The Broadbent's 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
Zilverflank-zeemeerval sourced
English name
Broadbent's sea catfish sourced
Scientific name
Plicofollis argyropleuron
Family
Ariidae
Other names
Large-scaled catfish; Longsnout catfish; Longsnouted catfish; Sand catfish; Sharp-headed catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
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

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
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 Plicofollis

More from the family Ariidae

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