Catfish

Distinct pairing. Mouth brooding may be employed as a parenting strategy (Ref. 205).

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Inhabits coastal waters, as well as estuaries and tidal rivers. Feeds mainly on invertebrates and small fishes. The sharp dorsal and pectoral fin spines can inflict painful wounds. Sold mostly fresh and dried-salted in markets.

fisheries: commercial

The Sona sea catfish, also called the marine catfish or the dusky catfish, (Sciades sona) is a species of catfish in the family Ariidae. It was described by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton in 1822, originally under the genus Pimelodus. It inhabits rivers, estuaries and marine coasts around Pakistan, Indonesia, Polynesia and Thailand. It reaches a maximum total length of 92 cm (36 in), but more commonly reaches a TL of 55 cm (22 in). Its maximum known life expectancy is 6 years. Males and females mate for life.

The Sona sea catfish feeds on finfish and benthic invertebrates. Its meat is marketed fresh, as well as dried and salted.