Aspistor hardenbergi (Kailola 2000)

Four patches of conical teeth across front of palate; rounded vomerine patches well-separated; outer patches oval or crescentic, 2-3 times larger than inner patches. Snout fleshy, overhanging mouth. Low papillae on palate and posterior face of gill arches; rakers rarely on posterior face of first two gill arches. Barbels thick proximally, thin distally. Head shield very granular, extensive posteriorly; triangular supraoccipital process short, broad. Eye small, dorsolateral. 8-12% HL. Adipose fin large, base longer than anal fin base. Dark grey in color; inner, dorsal aspect of paired fins charcoal blue (Ref. 40908).

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 16 - 18; Vertebrae: 50 - 52

Inhabits muddy, shallow coastal waters and tidal rivers (Ref. 40908).

Aspistor hardenbergi is a species of sea catfish in the family Ariidae. It was described by Patricia J. Kailola in 2000, originally under the genus Arius. It inhabits tropical marine and brackish waters in southern New Guinea. It reaches a maximum standard length of 25.4 cm (10.0 in).

The species epithet, "hardenbergi", was given in honour of J.D.F. Hardenberg, both for his contributions to ichthyology in the Indo-Australian region, and for his recognition that A. hardenbergi was a new species.