Higuchi's Sea Catfish

Differs from all congeners in having 18-21 gill rakers on first arch; slightly granulated cephalic shield; and orbit diameter 11.7-18.9% of external mental barbel length. Additional diagnostic characters include 17-21 gill rakers on second arch; snout length 6.1-8.0% SL; orbital diameter 3.3-4.4% SL; absence of fleshy papillae intercalated with gill rakers on first two gill arches; dorsal-fin spine length 18.6-22.2%SL; dorsal-fin spine longer than pectoral-fin spine; dorsal-fin spine length 35.6-43.3% of distance from tip of snout to pelvic-fin origin; nuchal plate length 6.3-7.5; width of posterior portion of supraoccipital process 2.7-3.3% SL; length of accessory tooth plates 2.6-4.7%SL; premaxilla width 5.7-7.7%SL; supraoccipital process length 3.1-4.5 in maxillary barbel length; supraoccipital process length 2.1-3.1 in external mental barbel length; distance from tip to snout to posterior margin of dorsomedian groove of neurocranium 20.9-26.3% SL; distance between lateral cornu of lateral ethmoid and external limb of the supracleithrum 20.4-25.9% SL and pelvic fin pale (Ref. 75004).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analsoft rays: 19 - 24

Occurs in shallow coastal areas and low portions of coastal rivers (Ref. 75004).

Cathorops higuchii, the Higuchi's sea catfish, is a species of sea catfish. It is named after Horácio Higuchi, a scientist from Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Brazil. The species is found in estuaries and coastal waters of the western Atlantic from eastern Honduras to Colón, Panama. Maximum recorded body length is 35 cm.