Banjo Catfish

Females carry their eggs and young attached to the ventral surface of the body.

Benthic fish occurring on sandy-muddy bottoms of brackish waters (Ref. 35381) and coastal rivers (Ref. 36695). Found on soft bottoms of shallow turbid water near river mouths. The species has a peculiar mode of egg incubation wherein the female banjo catfish carries the eggs firmly attached to the underside of the body. This seems to be an adaptation to facilitate the oxygenation of the eggs in muddy environments. Reproduction probably occurs during the earlier part of the year (Ref. 35381).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial