ARIIDAE


Nemapteryx nenga, 20.0 cm SL
(preserved specimen; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Nemapteryx nenga(Hamilton, 1822)
Thickspined Catfish

D I, 7; A 17-20; P1 I, 9-10; P2 6; GR 12-17.

Body elongated, compressed. Head depressed; head shield granulated and striated; dorsomedian groove short, between levels of posterior half of eye and anterior margin of preopercle. Snout rounded; remarkable lateral projection in front of eye. Palatal teeth conical, tips sharp, on a single pair of triangular patches, located just posterior to upper oral valve. Inner gill rakes present on all gill arches. Dorsal and pectoral fin spines very strong, compressed, and granulated. Lateral line bifurcates behind caudal fin base. Color: body silvery; brownish dorsally; dorsal, anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins dusky; adipose fin with a black marking. Size: maximum length about 30 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from west coast of India, through Malay Peninsula, to Kalimantan, and Bali. Remarks: inhabits inshore turbid waters and estuaries.