Shovelnose sea catfish

The shovelnose sea catfish (Arius subrostratus), also called the short-nosed catfish or the marine catfish,[2] is a species of sea catfish in the family Ariidae.[3] It was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1840.[4] It is a non-migratory species which inhabits tropical marine and brackish waters in the Indo-western Pacific region, including Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. It dwells at a depth range of 0 to 20 m (0 to 66 ft). It reaches a maximum NG length of 39.5 cm (15.6 in), while commonly reaching a total length of 12 cm (4.7 in).[3]

The diet of the shovelnose sea catfish includes detritus, polychaete worms, diatoms, algal weeds, and various crustaceans.[5] It has been recorded spawning between the months of January–April and September–October in India.[6] Males incubate the eggs in their mouths.[3]

The shovelnose sea catfish is of commercial value to fisheries; it is mostly marketed fresh.[3]