Species: Ariopsis assimilis, Maya Sea Catfish

Ariopsis assimilis (Gunther, 1864)

Maya Sea Catfish

Head rounded, only slightly flattened above; snout rounded as viewed from above; bony head shield very rough, covered with thin skin, extends to opposite eyes at front; a short central narrow longitudinal groove on shield ends well behind eyes; a broad based bony process at end of shield narrows and shortens at rear, has a slight central keel, extends back to meet a shield-shaped bone plate at base of dorsal fin; 2 pairs of close-set nostrils; no fleshy furrow extends across snout and connects rear nostrils; mouth under snout; 3 pairs of barbels (on chin and both jaws); gill opening wide, membranes not adhering to breast; teeth on roof of mouth in 2 small, narrowly separated or touching oval to square patches in center and 2 large oval patches on sides, these teeth never molar-like; 3-5 tiny rakers on upper rear surfaces of first two gill arches; 1st gill arch with 16-18 rakers on side, 2nd arch with 18-20; mature females have fleshy protuberances on pelvic fins; tail fin deeply forked; a complete lateral line, with branches to top and bottom base of tail fin, no scales.

Yellowish brown above, shading to whitish below; top barbels grey above, white below; chin barbels yellow-white; pectorals white, with black at base that extends onto spine; top of base of pelvic fin intensely black; anal fin silver; tail fin grey, with dark central rays.

Reaches 35 cm.

Primarily in freshwater, but also turbid brackish water in estuaries and lagoons.

Depth range 1-20 m?

NW Caribbean.