Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

3.3.3.1 Ariidae (Marine catfishes)

 

• Snout and head rounded to depressed
• 1-3 pairs of barbels present
• Head covered with a bony shield
• A short adipose dorsal fin present
• First dorsal fin short with a short spine or buckler.
• Two pairs of adjacent nostrils on each side of snout.

Eg. Osteogeneiosus militaris, Batrachocephalus mino, Arius dussumieri

Similar Families

All other catfish - Either have widely separated nostrils, a barbel on posterior nostril or dorsal fin and anal fin continuous with caudal fin.

Plotosidae - Pelvic fin with 12 to 14 rays; A dendric apparatus present.