Ariidae

noun

Chiefly marine; occasionally freshwater. Distribution: tropical and subtropical waters. Forked caudal fin. Adipose fin present. Barbels usually 3 pairs, rarely 2 pairs. Nasal barbels absent. Bony plates present on head and near dorsal fin. A leading spine in both pectoral and dorsal fins. Many species enter freshwater and some are restricted to freshwater. Normally the male carries the relatively large eggs in its mouth until hatching.

The family Ariidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Siluriformes. It contains 14 genera and 120 species. It may be found in Marine, Brackish, and Freshwater environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are bearers. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is carangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. Members of this family have been dated back to the lower Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. This family may be found from 42° n to 40° s and 122° w to 154° e. Etymology of this family name: Perhaps from Greek, ari = particle with the meaning of strength, power, but it is need confirmation