Volume 32, Plate IV / Ichthyology (Fish)

Marbled Arius

Arius oncina

Taken in the Rio Padauiri, this scaleless fish has serrated dorsal and pectoral spines, a hard cranium, a straight lateral line, and a yellowish-brown body variously spotted with black much like the markings of the jaguar. With small eyes near the snout, fine teeth thickly set in both jaws, and a slightly forked tail, it grows to ten inches, lives hours out of water, and is reckoned among the best-flavoured fish, caught by baited night-lines.