Galeichthys

Taxobox
name = "Galeichthys"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Ariidae
subfamilia = Galeichthyinae
subfamilia_authority = Acero P. & Betancur-R., 2007
genus = "Galeichthys"
genus_authority = Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840
type_species = "Galeichthys feliceps"
type_species_authority = Valenciennes, 1840
subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
subdivision =
"Galeichthys ater"
Castelnau, 1861
"Galeichthys feliceps"
Valenciennes, 1840
"Galeichthys peruvianus"
Lütken, 1874

"Galeichthys" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Ariidae.cite journal|url=http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf|title=Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types|first=Carl J., Jr.|last=Ferraris|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1418|pages=1–628|year=2007|format=PDF] The only genus in the subfamily Galeichthyinae, this genus includes three species, "G. ater", "G. feliceps", and "G. peruvianus", and an undescribed species from South Africa.cite journal|url=http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief18_2_06.pdf|title=Monophyly, affinities, and subfamilial clades of sea catfishes (Siluriformes: Ariidae)|first=Arturo|last=Acero P.|coauthors=Betancur-R., Ricardo|journal=Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters|volume=18|issue=2|pages=133–143|date=June 2007]

Distribution

"Galeichthys" species are predominantly marine species distributed in Southern Africa and northwestern South America. "G. ater" is known from the Cape of Good Hope of southern Africa. "G. feliceps" is widely distributed in southern Africa, found in freshwater, estuarine, and coastal environments. "G. peruvianus" is found on the Pacific coast of South America, from Ecuador to Peru.

Description

These fish have three pairs of barbels: a pair of fleshy and cylindrical maxillary barbels and two pairs of mental barbels. The base of the adipose fin is as long as the base of the anal fin. "G. peruvianus" reaches about 35.0 centimetres (13.8 in) TL, "G. ater" about 45.0 cm (17.7 in) TL, and "G. feliceps" about 55.0 cm (21.7 in) TL.cite journal|url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/zt01416p126.pdf|title=Systematics of the family Ariidae (Ostariophysi, Siluriformes), with a redefinition of the genera|first=Alexandre P.|last=Marceniuk|coauthors=Menezes, Naércio A.|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1416|pages=1–126|year=2007|format=PDF] "G. ater" is dark brown to blackish, slightly lighter ventrally with the whole undersurface covered with brown specks. "G. feliceps" is brown to greyish or greenish brown dorsally and whitish on its sides and ventrally; the midline of the abdomen is whitish and never pigmented.

Ecology

"G. feliceps" is generally found in large shoals on the muddy bottoms in turbid waters, usually on the coastline and estuaries, though it is also found in rivers. "G. peruvianus" is found in coastal waters.FishBase species|genus=Galeichthys|species=peruvianus|year=2007|month=Aug] "G. ater" is carnivorous, feeding on benthic invertebrates, primarily annelids.FishBase species|genus=Galeichthys|species=ater|year=2007|month=Aug] "G. feliceps" feeds on crayfish, small fish, and crabs.FishBase species|genus=Galeichthys|species=feliceps|year=2007|month=Aug]

"G. feliceps" is considered a nuisance of shore and ski-boat anglers in southern Africa as little else is caught. Its spines are venomous and wounds should be treated immediately. "G. feliceps" is marketed smoked. "G. peruvianus" is marketed fresh and also reduced to fish meal.

References