Records of malformed sea catfishes (Ariopsis seemanni and Ariopsis guatemalensis) (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Ariidae) off San Blas (Mexican Pacific)

Abstract

Fish malformations can be an important hint for assessing the well-being of their populations and the quality of their habitats. Malformations have been observed in species of the order Siluriformes, including the family Ariidae. In this study, we report malformations in the blue sea catfish, Ariopsis guatemalensis (Günther, 1864), and the tete sea catfish, Ariopsis seemanni (Günther, 1864), collected in San Blas, Mexico. The malformations include missing eye, cleft lip, and malformed barbels. Such malformations could be blamed on substantial levels of pesticides in the environment, genetic factors, and/or a pathogenic effect of some parasites specific to the studied fish species.