Kingdom Animalia Class Actinopterygii Family Ariidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Siluriformes Genus Arius | |
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Arius manillensis is a species of marine catfish endemic to the island of Luzon, Philippines. It is commonly known as the Manila sea catfish or kanduli. It is fished commercially.
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Taxonomy and nomenclature
Arius manillensis was first described by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes in 1840. It belongs to the genus Arius of the subfamily Ariinae, family Ariidae (ariid or fork-tailed catfishes).
It should not be confused with the closely related Cephalocassis manillensis, also described by Valenciennes in 1840.
Other common names of the species include kandule, dupit, kiti-kiti, tabangongo, and tauti.
Description
Arius manillensis reach a maximum length of 29.6 cm (11.7 in) (in males).
Distribution and habitat
Arius manillensis is endemic to the island of Luzon, Philippines. It is found in the area around Manila, Bataan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal; including the Pasig River and Laguna de Bay. It inhabits marine, brackish, freshwater, and benthopelagic habitats.
Biology
Arius manillensis are mouthbrooders. The males of the species incubate the eggs within their mouths for six to eight weeks and provide shelter for the young once they hatch. A single instance of a female carrying eggs in her mouth has also been reported. Upon hatching, the young forage for plankton in short bursts but will quickly return to the safety of the mouth of the adult if alarmed. They eventually become independent once they reach a size of 30 to 44 mm (1.2 to 1.7 in). During the entire period, the adults do not eat and their stomachs shrink dramatically.