Aristotle Catfish

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Aristotle Catfish
Systematics
Cohort : Otomorpha
Sub-cohort : Ostariophysi
Order : Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family : Real catfish (Siluridae)
Genre : Silurus
Type : Aristotle Catfish
Scientific name
Silurus aristotelis
( Agassiz , 1857)

The Aristotle Wels ( silurus aristotelis ) is a species in the genus silurus and belongs to the genuine catfish (Siluridae). It is endemic to western Greece .

features

The body of the Aristotle catfish is elongated, scaly and slimy, its head is broad and flattened. In contrast to the catfish , its 2 beard threads on the upper jaw do not extend beyond the pectoral fins and it has only 2 short, half as long beard threads on the underside of the head. The sidelines are completely in place. Its dorsal fin contains 3 rays, the anal fin 67 to 76, but mostly 72 rays. There is no adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fin. The back of the Aristotle catfish is dark brown to black in color, the flanks are lighter brownish or greenish. Its ventral side is silvery with dark marbling. At the approach of the anal and caudal fin, the species has a series of dark, black spots. The average length of the Aristotle catfish is 100 to 150 cm, rarely up to 200 cm.

distribution

The natural distribution area of ​​the Aristotle catfish is in western Greece in the catchment area of ​​the Ionian Sea in the area of ​​the Aspropotamos (Acheloos) and its tributaries. Here it settles in calm rivers and stagnant waters with a sandy or muddy bottom.

protection

The Aristotle Catfish is listed by the European Union in Appendix II of the Habitats Directive and is therefore a type of community interest, for whose conservation special protected areas must be designated by the member states.

supporting documents

  • Gunter Steinbach (Ed.): Freshwater fish . Mosaik Verlag., Munich 1984, ISBN 3-576-01274-5 .

Web links