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The Ariidae is one of two siluriform families with a strong representation in marine environments. Consisting of about 150 species in 29 genera (Betancur-R., 2009), this cosmopolitan group of marine fishes is predominantly restricted to the continental shelves of warm-temperate to tropical regions worldwide, although about 43 species are restricted to freshwater habitats (Betancur-R., 2010). Description: Distinguished from other Singapore ariids in having a combination of a moderately prominent lateral ethmoid, short, supraoccipital process with a high keel, and palatal teeth in two elliptical or pear-shaped patches on each side of the mouth, with their long axes parallel or diverging posteriorly. Etymology: The genus name Jayaramichthys: in honour of Indian ichthyologist Kottore Chidambaram Jayaram (1926–2011), who contributed “greatly” to our understanding of the taxonomy, evolution and biogeography of ariids from the Indian subcontinent; ichthys, fish. The specific name leptonotacanthus: leptos, thin; notos, back; acanthus, spine, referring to its slender dorsal spine. Remarks: Still found on some online searches as Arius leptonotacanthus.

Smooth-spined sea catfish

Arius leptonotacanthus, Cephalocassis leptonotacanthus

Ariidae

Western Central Pacific: Along Gulf of Thailand and Indonesia; in coastal waters and estuaries. Type locality: In Freto Madurae prope Kammal et Surabaya.

21.0cm. TL (8¼ins)

20-27°c (67-81°f)

6.5-8.0.

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2022. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (03/2022).
Kailola, P.J., 1999. Ariidae (=Tachysuridae): sea catfishes (fork-tailed catfishes). p. 1827-1879. In K.E. Carpenter and V.H. Niem (eds.) FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome.
Kottelat, M., A.J. Whitten, S.N. Kartikasari and S. Wirjoatmodjo, 1993. Freshwater fishes of Western Indonesia and Sulawesi. Periplus Editions, Hong Kong. 221 p.
Ng, Heok Hee 2012. The Ariid Catfishes of Singapore. Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore 18 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119227, Republic of Singapore.