Author: (Valenciennes, 1840)
FBname: Couma sea catfish
Comments: Confined chiefly to turbid waters in estuaries and the lower parts of rivers.  Its delicate flesh is highly valued (Ref. 27188).  Two annual cycles of slower growth are know during the two dry seasons (March and August to November).  Probably has a short life span.  In the beginning of reproduction, the male's mouth changes to function as a egg repository (buccal incubation).  The female lays down her eggs in a sandy depression, then after fertilization, the male puts the eggs into its mouth which is provided with ventilation until hatching.  Eggs diameter is about 2 mm and its number varies from 100 to 165 per female.  Feeds mainly on crustaceans (Ref. 35381).  Marketed fresh and salted.