Notarius kessleri (Steindachner, 1876)
Sculptured sea catfish
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama.
Diagnosis:  Body long and thick; head depressed and narrow (3.5 to 4 times in SL); snout narrow, truncate to rounded, moderately prominent; eyes small (6.5 to 9.5 times in head length); palate with four bands on conical teeth which become fused in adults; first gill arch with 7 to 8 gill rakers; body shiny, greenish blue with a lighter (even white) belly; barbels white with dark edges (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Found in coastal waters (Ref. 9271). Also caught with other artisanal gear (Ref. 9271). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9271). Demersal species in coastal waters (Ref. 55763).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic
Country info:   
 


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