Neoarius utarus (Kailola, 1990)
Northern rivers catfish
photo by FAO

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  55 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,700.0 g; max.weight: 1,700.0 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia and Oceania: Indonesia (Mamberamo river system in Irian Jaya) and Papua New Guinea (Ramu and Sepik river system). Often misidentified as Arius leptaspis, a closely related species from southern New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-22
Biology:  Prefers main river channels, but also occurs in lakes and on the floodplain. Feeds mainly on large crustaceans (Macrobrachium and Caridina), fishes, aquatic and terrestrial insects, nymphs and detritus. Occurs at temperatures ranging from 26 to 32°C. Mainly diurnal.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 May 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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