Fin's Fish Guide
The Soldier catfish (Osteogeneiosus militaris) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Ariidae that grows up to 43 cm.
Description
The soldier catfish is a sea catfish from the Indo-West Pacific, from India to Indonesia, in coastal and estuarine water. The species grows to about 43 cm and has a scaleless, greyish body with only a single pair of stout upper-jaw barbels. It carries strong, venomous spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins that give painful puncture wounds. The male broods the large eggs in his mouth. As a bottom-dweller it eats crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Soldier catfish?
The Soldier catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Venomous dorsal and pectoral fin spines; the male is a mouthbrooder
Where does the Soldier catfish live?
The Soldier catfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Soldier catfish get?
The Soldier catfish grows to a maximum of about 43 cm. On average the species is around 23 cm.
Is the Soldier catfish dangerous to humans?
The Soldier catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. The dorsal and pectoral fin spines are venomous and cause painful puncture wounds. Immerse the injured area in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes, clean the wound and seek medical help and a tetanus check for a deep puncture.
Is the Soldier catfish edible?
Yes, the Soldier catfish is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Ariidae
Want the complete picture on the Soldier catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Soldier catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.