Sculptured Sea Catfish

Body long and thick; head depressed and narrow (3.5 to 4 times in SL); snout narrow, truncate to rounded, moderately prominent; eyes small (6.5 to 9.5 times in head length); palate with four bands on conical teeth which become fused in adults; first gill arch with 7 to 8 gill rakers; body shiny, greenish blue with a lighter (even white) belly; barbels white with dark edges (Ref. 55763).

Found in coastal waters (Ref. 9271). Also caught with other artisanal gear (Ref. 9271). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9271). Demersal species in coastal waters (Ref. 55763).

fisheries: commercial

The sculptured sea catfish (Notarius kessleri) is a species of catfish in the family Ariidae. It was described by Franz Steindachner in 1876, originally under the genus Arius. It inhabits brackish and marine waters in Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama. It reaches a maximum total length of 45 cm (18 in), more commonly reaching a TL of 40 cm (16 in).

The sculptured sea catfish is currently ranked as Least Concern by the IUCN Redlist.