ARIIDAE Catfishes

Blunt, flattened head, with strong bony shield, scales absent. Paired maxillary and mandibulary barbels on chin. Deeply forked caudal fin, adipose fin present. Venomous spine present on soft-rayed dorsal fin. Silvery with bronze sheen, elongate. Feeds on small fish and crustaceans.over the shallow sand bars near the coast and offshore over sandy bottoms around structures. Powerful fish regularly caught by shore anglers and their venomous dorsal spine can inflict a nasty wound.Arius thalassinus .