Black Catfish

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 6; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 89 - 105

Found in rivers and smaller streams, usually where currents are relatively swift (Ref. 5259). Also lives in still or gently flowing water of pools and side channels. A solitary species (Ref. 44894). Feed on mollusks, insects, prawns (Ref. 5259, 44894) crustaceans and worms (Ref. 44894). Spawning period coincides with the rise of the monsoonal floods (Ref. 38147, 44894). Adults migrate upstream into shallow riffle zones where they spawn in pairs. The demersal eggs lodge in crevices on the bottom and hatch 2-3 days later (Ref. 44894).

aquaculture: experimental; aquarium: commercial

Tandanus ater (Perugia, 1894)

USNM 217097, Fly 75–1, 1: 404 mm.

USNM 217098, Fly 75–2, 2: 280–470 mm.

USNM 217099, Fly 75–16, 5: 143–198 mm.

Neosilurus ater, commonly known as black catfish, butter jew or narrowfront tandan is a species of catfish native to rivers and streams in northern Australia and New Guinea. It can reach a length of 47 cm (19 in).