Neoarius graeffei (Kner & Steindachner, 1867)
Blue salmon catfish
Neoarius graeffei
photo by JJPhoto

Family:  Ariidae (Sea catfishes), subfamily: Ariinae
Max. size:  60 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; pH range: 7.5 - 8.19999980926514; dH range: 18 - 30, anadromous
Distribution:  Western Pacific: northern Australia and southern New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-19
Biology:  Adults inhabit freshwater rivers and lagoons, as well as brackish estuaries and coastal marine waters. Can tolerate temperatures from 11°C to 38°C. Large groups of juveniles are often encountered (Ref. 44894). Feed on arthropods, insects, aquatic plants, mollusks, prawns, crayfish, fishes and bottom detritus. Nest is constructed among gravel where eggs are deposited forming a mound (Ref. 205). The only species among oral incubating ariids exhibiting no parental care (Ref. 205). Breeding takes place from September to February (Ref. 44894). Marine populations of A. graeffei appear to undertake extensive anadromous migrations associated with breeding, but no such movements were observed in the fluviatile population studied (Ref. 38559).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 February 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic
Country info:   
 


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