Animal Species:Shovelnose Catfish, Ariopsis paucus (Kailola, 2000)

Identification

The Shovelnose Catfish can be recognised by its forked tail, wide mouth and truncate snout. It usually has a smaller eye than the similar looking Silver Cobbler, Ariopsis midgleyi. Eye length is 8.9% - 15.3% of head length in A. paucus versus 12.9% - 21.8% of head length in A. midgleyi.
This species is endemic to Australia. 

Size range

It grows to at least 60 cm in length.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Australia, occurring from the Roper River, Northern Territory to Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Its distribution is disjunct from that of the Silver Cobbler, which occurs in more westerly drainages including the Victoria, Katherine, Daly, Ord and Kimberley as well as northern waterways such as the Alligator River.

One paratype specimen of this species is stored in the Australian Museum Fish Collection (AMS I.25315-001).

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Shovelnose Catfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Shovelnose Catfish is usually found in freshwaters over soft substrates.

Classification

Species:

paucus

Genus:

Ariopsis

Family:

Ariidae

Order:

Siluriformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

• Kailola, P.J. 2000. Six new species of forktailed catfishes (Pisces, Teleostei, Ariidae) from Australia and New Guinea. The Beagle. Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory. 16: 127–144.

 

Last Updated: 28 July 2012

Tags Shovelnose Catfish, Ariopsis paucus, wide mouth, truncate snout, endemic to Australia, forked tail, 30 cm - 1 m, freshwater,