Flat Catfish

Head and anterior of body depressed; ribs long, angular, impressed in abdominal body wall. Eye covered with head skin; head smooth. Mouth wide, jaws upturned at symphysis; teeth fixed, cardiform, in 1-2 series on jaws and palate; four elongate patches of palatal teeth. No rakers on posterior of first two arches; mandibular barbel longest, reaching dorsal fin. Fin spines slender, weak. Grey or yellowish in color, fins and mouth bright yellow or orange (Ref. 40908).

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 19 - 23; Vertebrae: 58 - 60

Inhabits shallow mudflats and river mouths; also in muddy coastal waters (Ref. 40908).

The flat catfish (Cochlefelis insidiator) is a species of catfish in the family Ariidae. It was described by Patricia J. Kailola in 2000, originally under the genus Arius. It occurs in rivers, mudflats and marine waters on the coasts of Papua New Guinea and Australia. It reaches a standard length of 35 cm (14 in).