Species: Cathorops higuchii, Higuchi’s Sea Catfish

Cathorops higuchii Marceniuk & Betancur-R., 2008

Higuchi’s Sea Catfish

Head moderately long and depressed, 23.3-28.5% of SL; snout short, 6.1-8% of SL; shield on top of head short and slightly granulated, covered with thin skin; a deep, well defined groove along center-top of head; bony process between head shield and dorsal fin base short and wide behind; distance from tip of snout to dorsal fin origin 32.3-38.8% of SL; plate at base of dorsal fin a long, wide crescent; eye small, 3.3-4.4% of SL; 2 pairs of close-set nostrils; no fleshy furrow extends across snout and connects rear nostrils; 3 pairs of barbells (on chin and both jaws), top barbell reaching past pectoral spine base; mouth broad, lower jaws arched, lips thick; roof of mouth with 1 pair of oval, moderately large, well separated, oval tooth patches with large molariform teeth, tooth patches considerably larger in females; jaw teeth in several rows, front teeth smaller than back, which are molar-like; gill opening restricted to sides by adhesion of gill membranes to breast; gill rakers 18-21 on first arch, 17-21 on second arch, present on rear surfaces of first two gill arches; gill rakers of first two arches without fleshy papillae between them; dorsal fin spine long and slender, longer than pectoral fin spine; pectoral spine long and slender, rear edge with short, inconspicuous serrations; anal fin 18-21 rays; tail fin deeply forked; a complete lateral line, with branches to top and bottom base of tail fin, no scales.

Preserved fish brownish, paler below; fins and barbells pale.

Reaches 35 cm.

Lower reaches of rivers and shallow coastal areas.

Depth range: 1-10 m?

SW Caribbean.