Species: Ariopsis assimilis, Mayan sea-catfish

Ariopsis assimilis (Gunther, 1864)

Mayan 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.