CR

Arius uncinatus

Declining

Overview

Betancurichthys uncinatus is a species of fish in the family Ariidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Arius uncinatus faces severe population decline primarily due to overfishing and habitat degradation in its limited coastal range. Dam construction and water diversions have altered freshwater flows critical for spawning, while coastal development has destroyed essential nursery habitats. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with fishing pressure targeting both adults and juveniles in shallow coastal waters.

Threat summary

Habitat

This catfish species inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and the lower reaches of rivers where freshwater meets saltwater. It requires access to both marine and freshwater environments for different life stages, particularly depending on estuarine nursery areas with muddy or sandy substrates.

Wetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

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CR

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Arius uncinatus classified as Critically Endangered?
Arius uncinatus is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Arius uncinatus faces severe population decline primarily due to overfishing and habitat degradation in its limited coastal range. Dam construction and water diversions have altered freshwater flows critical for spawning, while coastal development has destroyed essential nursery habitats. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with fishing pressure targeting both adults and juveniles in shallow coastal waters.
Where does Arius uncinatus live?
Arius uncinatus occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Arius uncinatus?
The main threats to Arius uncinatus are 2.1, 5.3, 5.4, and 9.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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