[4] It was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1840, originally under the genus Arius.

[2] It inhabits mud on the floors of brackish and marine waters between the Gulf of Venezuela and the Amazon River, at a depth range of 1 to 20 m (3.3 to 65.6 ft).

It reaches a maximum total length of 63 cm (25 in), more commonly reaching a TL of 40 cm (16 in).

[4] The Thomas sea catfish is currently ranked as Least Concern by the IUCN redlist.

Its meat is of minor commercial value, and is marketed fresh.