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Plicofollis platystomus (Day 1877)

Image contributors to this species:

FAO (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal. 1, 7. A. 14-16. P. 1, 12. Very few scattered granulations over posterior part of head. Maxillary barbels reach just beyond base of pectorals, others shorter. Villiform teeth in premaxillaries 6 times longer than wide. Palatine teeth obtusely conic in 2 pyriform patches. Colouration: Bluish on back, lighter on sides and below. Fins with slight tinge of grey. No black mark on adipose. Habitat: Occurs in coastal waters and estuaries. Diet: Feeds mainly on invertebrates. Caught mainly with bottom trawls, stake traps, shore seines, set bagnets and on hook and line. An important food fish. (Munro Ian S.R. 2000). Etymology: The genus name Plicofollis: plico, fold; follis, bellows or windbag, referring to creased or scalloped swim bladder characteristic of the genus. The specific name platystomus: platys, wide; stomus, mouth, width of gape of mouth 4/7 length of head. Remarks: It is listed as least concern in the Red List of Threatened Species. This species has a broad distribution, and although it is a commercially important food source, fishing is not considered a major threat to the population at present. Further research and monitoring of the population numbers and harvest levels of this species is recommended, to determine if it is likely to suffer a significant population decline in the future (IUCN 2010).

Common Name:

Flat mouthed catfish

Synonyms:

Arius platystomus

Family:

Ariidae

Distribution:

Indian Ocean: India and Sri Lanka. Also reported from Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Type locality: Canara [India].

Size:

31.0cm.TL (12½ins)

Temp:

20-27°c (67-81°f)

p.H.

6.5-8.0.

Reference:

Betancur, R. 2010. Plicofollis platystomus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
De Bruin, G.H.P., B.C. Russell and A. Bogusch, 1995 FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. The marine fishery resources of Sri Lanka.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2022. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 11/2022 ).
Ian S R Munroe. The Marine and Fresh Water Fishes of Ceylon. Biotech Books. 1123/74. Tri Nagar. Dheli-110035.
Jayaram, K.C., 1984. Ariidae. In W. Fischer and G. Bianchi (eds.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean fishing area 51. Vol. 1. FAO, Rome. pag. var.
Kailola, P. J. 2022 (29 Sept.) Family Ariidae, Sea catfishes (Pp. 182-198, Pls. 27-29). In: Heemstra, P. C. et al. 2022: Coastal fishes of the western Indian Ocean. Volume 2.

Family: Ariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Plicofollis platystomus
Sri Lanka-Line drawing

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