Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

3.3.3 Siluriformes

Order: Siluriformes

Mesopterygoid very reduced

Pre opercle and inter opercle relatively small

Adipose fin usually present

Spine like (=spinous) rays present at the front of the dorsal and pectoral fins

Dorsal fin of most cat fishes has two spines; The first being very short and forming a locking mechanism for the second spine.

Body either naked or covered with bony plates.

Usually up to barbells present on head

The nasal and chin barbels may be variously absent.

Maxilla toothless and rudimentary (except in Diplomystidae and the extinct Hypsidoridae)

Caudal fin rays 18 or fewer (most with 17)

Caudal skeleton varying between having six separate hypural plates to complete fusion of caudal elements.

Eye usually small

Air breathing organs present in Claridae and Heteropreustidae

Many cat fishes have a maximum length of below 12 cm. The largest cat fish is Silurus glanis (commonly reaches 3m in length)

Pangasiid and Pimelodid are also known to reach exceptionally large sizes.

Siluriformes consists of

Families : 34

Genera : 412

Species : 2,405

Of which, about 1,440 species are presently available.

Ariidae and Plotosidae consist largely of marine species but also representatives that are frequently found in brackish, coastal waters and sometimes only in fresh water.

Other families are freshwater, although some have species that can invade brackish water.