The shovelnose sea catfish (Arius subrostratus), also called the short-nosed catfish or the marine catfish,Common names of Arius subrostratus at fishbase.org. is a species of sea catfish in the family Ariidae. It was first described by Achille Valenciennes in 1840.Cuvier, G. and A. Valenciennes, 1840 (Nov.) [ref. 1008] Histoire naturelle des poissons. Tome quinzième. Suite du livre dix-septième. Siluroïdes. v. 15: i-xxxi + 1-540, Pls. 421-455.
Distribution and habitat It is a non-migratory species which inhabits tropical marine and brackish waters in the Indo-western Pacific region, including Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. It dwells at a depth range of . It reaches a maximum NG length of , while commonly reaching a total length of . Biology It has been recorded spawning between the months of January–April and September–October in India.Spawning for Arius subrostratus at fishbase.org. Males incubate the eggs in their mouths.
The diet of the shovelnose sea catfish includes detritus, polychaete worms, diatoms, algal weeds, and various crustaceans.Food items reported for Arius subrostratus at fishbase.org.
Uses The shovelnose sea catfish is of commercial value to fisheries; it is mostly marketed fresh.
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