Blotched Catfish

Characterized by its lateral line which appears as a thick white band; barbels extremely short. Head long, broad and flattened. Frontal fontanelle long and extremely narrow. Occipital fontanelle rather small. The `dermosphenotic' and supraorbital bones are separated. Tooth plate extremely broad. Pectoral spine straight and robust. Suprabranchial organ well developed but not completely filling the chamber.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 60 - 80; Analsoft rays: 56 - 63; Vertebrae: 58 - 61

Occurs in well-vegetated sluggish river channels and floodplain lagoons. Breeds during the summer rainy season (Ref. 7248). Eats invertebrates and, when older, other fishes (Ref. 7248, 78218).

fisheries: subsistence fisheries