Notarius grandicassis (Valenciennes, 1840)
Thomas sea catfish
Notarius grandicassis
photo by Kolding, J.

 Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
 Max. size:  63 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  demersal; depth range 1 - 20 m
 Distribution:  South America: Rivers and estuaries from Gulf of Venezuela to mouth of the Amazon River.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1. Three pairs of barbels on rostral region, two pairs on lower jaw, one pair on posterior end of maxilla; end of maxilla barbel reaching insertion of pectoral fin; body yellow-brown, whitish ventrally; each fin membrane blackish distally (Ref. 13608).
 Biology:  Found on muddy bottoms of shallow brackish waters; also in marine waters. Reproduction seems to occur between May and June. The female lays down 20-30 eggs having a diameter of 10-12 mm, agglutinated in mucus. The male guards the eggs for 10-12 days until hatching (Ref. 35381). Marketed fresh.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  traumatogenic
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Froese, Rainer - 14.09.15
 Checked by: Ferraris, Jr., Carl J. - 11.09.01

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