Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Siluriformes
(Catfish) > Ariidae
(Sea catfishes) > Ariinae
Etymology: pectoralis: From the Latin for shoulder, in reference to the strong serrae along the inner pectoral fin spine (Ref. 40908).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Marine; brackish; demersal. Tropical
Western Central Pacific: Irian Jaya and Australia. Probably also occurring in southern Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby to the Kempwelch River area).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 39.3 cm FL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40908)
Morphology | Morphometrics
soft rays: 18 - 22;
Vertebrae: 51. Palatal teeth in two oblique, oval patches; one on each side of palate, well separated. Snout acute; lips fleshy, crenulate; lower jaw truncate. Head shield granular; dorsomedian head groove lanceolate, narrow distally. Eye large, 17-28% HL. Large, flattened serrae along inner margin of pectoral spine; caudal fin lobes slender, acute. Rakers present along posterior face of all gill arches. Distinct, blackish margin on dorsal, pectoral and inner caudal fins (Ref. 40908).
Found in coastal waters, estuaries and rivers within tidal influence; among mangroves (Ref. 40908).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kailola, P.J., 2000. Six new species of fork-tailed catfishes (Pisces, Teleostei, Ariidae) from Australia and New Guinea. Beagle, Rec. Mus. Art Galler. North. Territ. 16:127-144. (Ref. 40908)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 119314)
CITES (Ref. 115941)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 58010)
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningFecundityEggsEgg development