Amphiarius phrygiatus (Valenciennes, 1840)
Kukwari sea catfish
photo by Rotundo, M.M.

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  35.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Venezuela to mouth of the Amazon River, Brazil.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occurs in brackish estuaries with very low salinities, nearly entering freshwater (Ref. 5217). Found on shallow muddy bottoms (Ref. 5217). The female lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass on a sandy depression. Mouth brooding males guard the eggs until hatching (Ref. 35381). Marketed fresh.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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