Crucifix sea catfish
| Crucifix sea catfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Ariidae |
| Genus: | Sciades |
| Species: | S. proops |
| Binomial name | |
| Sciades proops (Valenciennes, 1840) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The crucifix sea catfish (Sciades proops) — also known as the Christfish, the crucifix/crucifex catfish, the crucifixfish, or the gillbacker, — is a species of catfish in the family Ariidae.
This fish was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1840, originally under the genus Bagrus. It inhabits marine, brackish and freshwaters ranging from Brazil to Colombia. It reaches a maximum total length of 100 cm (39 in), more commonly reaching a TL of 50 cm (20 in). It reaches a maximum weight of 9 kg (20 lb). Its maximum known life expectancy is 4 years.
The crucifix sea catfish spawns from October–May. It is harvested by commercial fisheries, and its meat is marketed fresh.