SPECIES INFO
Estuarine sea catfish (Cathorops aguadulce) is found from Veracruz, Mexico south through Quintano Roo, Mexico. Although this is a marine species, it is found primairly in fresh and brackish water. This catfish can grow to about 10 inches in length. The tail is deeply forked.Cathorops genus of marine (and sometimes freshwater) catfish per Robert Rush Miller in 2005 needs to be defined more clearly. We have used this genus name as it serves as a temporary place holder for several species.
Sea catfish family (Ariidae) are found worldwide in tropical to subtropical regions in fresh, backish, and marine waters. There are about 120 medium to large species spread into about 14 different genera. The genera Arius, Bagre, Potamarius, and Cathorops belong here. (Some authors have used the name Tachysuridae for this family.)
Catfish, Order Siluriformes, are found throughout the world. Although most of them are freshwater kinds, a few are found in a marine environment. They are characterized by having whiskers and barbels around their mouths. Many search for their food by smell and make little use of their small eyes.
Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.
Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.
Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.
Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
