Aristotle's catfish

The Aristotle catfish ( Silurus aristotelis ) is a species of the genus Silurus and belongs to the family of the Real catfish ( Siluridae ). It is endemic in western Greece.

Features

The body of Aristotle's catfish is elongated, scaleless and slimy, his head is broad and flattened. In contrast to the rich Wels his two barbels on the upper jaw does not have the pectoral fins out and he has, at the head underside only 2 short, half as long barbels. The lateral line is completely present. Its dorsal fin contains three rays, anal fin 67-76, but usually 72 rays. An adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fin is absent. The back of the Aristotle catfish is dark brown to black, the flanks are bright brownish or greenish. His belly is silvery with dark marbling. At the base of the anal and caudal fins, the way to a series of dark, black spots. In the middle of Aristotle catfish is 100 to 150 cm long, rarely to 200 cm.

Dissemination

The natural range of Aristotle's catfish is located in West Greece in the catchment area of the Ionian Sea in the area of ​​Aspropotamos ( Achelous ) and its tributaries. Here he settled peaceful river bodies and standing waters with sandy or muddy ground.

Documents

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