The spotted sea catfish (Arius maculatus), also known as the spotted catfish, sea barbel or marine catfish, is a species of sea catfish in the family Ariidae. It was first described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1792, originally under the genus Silurus.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Siluriformes
- Family: Ariidae
- Genus: Arius
- Species: A. maculatus
Distribution and habitat
The species inhabits tropical marine, brackish, and freshwater environments throughout the Indo‑western Pacific region. Its range includes coastal waters of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. It is typically found at depths of 50–100 m (160–330 ft).
Physical description
Adults can reach a maximum total length of about 80 cm (31 in), though most individuals are around 30 cm (12 in) in length. The common name “spotted” refers to the characteristic dark spots distributed over the body and fins.
Diet
The spotted sea catfish is opportunistic, feeding on detritus, polychaete worms, mollusks, various crustaceans, and larvae of milkfish (Chanos chanos).
Reproduction
Spawning has been recorded from January to April along the coast of Mumbai, India, and from September to October on the coast of Karnataka, India. Males practice mouthbrooding, incubating the eggs in their mouths; they may consume a small number of eggs during incubation to mitigate starvation.
Commercial importance
The species is of moderate commercial interest to fisheries. It is commonly marketed fresh, and its air bladders are harvested for use as isinglass in the wine industry.
Conservation status
No specific conservation assessment is widely reported for this species; it is generally considered to be of low concern due to its broad distribution and utilization in local fisheries.
