Ariopsis felis (Linnaeus, 1766)
Description
This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: gill rakers on the first and second gill arches 29-32; osseous medial groove present; fleshy medial groove of neurocranium conspicuous and long, always surpassing the posterior margin of eyes; lateral margin of sphenotic notched, narrower medially than anteriorly; pterotic lateral margin smoothly convex; lateral margin of sphenotic notched, narrower medially than anteriorly; mouth 9.1-11.5% SL; close anterior nostrils 4.6-6.4% SL, close posterior nostrils 4.2-7.1% SL; mesethmoid median portion narrow, mesethmoid medial notch narrow and deep; gill rakers on the first gill arch 13–15, rarely 16; external posterior branch of lateral ethmoid columnar and thin; fenestra delimited by mesethmoid and lateral ethmoid conspicuous (Ref. 116660).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ariidae
Genus: Ariopsis
Species: Ariopsis felis (Linnaeus, 1766)
Climate Zone
Location
Biology
Adults inhabit continental waters and enter estuaries. Found in turbid waters over muddy bottoms. Males incubate eggs in the mouth (Ref. 205). Commonly captured from catwalks, bridges and piers, particularly in passes and inland waterways. Edible, but generally not consumed (Ref. 7251).
Habitat
brackish