Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Bagridae (Bagrid catfishes)
Etymology: Mystus: Greek, mystax = whiskered, used by Belon in 1553 to describe all fishes with whiskers (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bloch.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: 4 - 25. Tropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 1672); 38°N - 0°N
Asia: Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and probably Myanmar. Reported from Malaysia (Ref. 4835), Laos (Ref. 4792), Bhutan (Ref. 9418), Viet Nam (Ref. 36625) and Cambodia (Ref. 36654). May have been confused with other Mystus.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 9.0, range 9 - ? cm
Max length : 21.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4833)
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 13; Vertebrae: 31 - 37. Body elongate and slightly compressed. Maxillary barbels extending beyond the pelvic fins, often to the end of the anal fin. Dorsal spine weak, finely serrated on its inner edge. Adipose fin small, inserted much behind rayed dorsal fin but anterior to the anal fin. Color in life varies with age; generally delicate gray-silvery to shining golden, with several (about 5) pale blue or dark brown to deep black longitudinal on side. A narrow dusky spot often present on the shoulder. The fins glass, with dark tips (Ref. 4792).
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Adults inhabit standing and flowing waters. Usually found among marginal vegetation in lakes and swamps with a mud substrate. Feed on plants, shrimps, insects, mollusks and fish (Ref. 6028). Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Makes sounds during spawning (Ref. 1672).
Pethiyagoda, R., 1991. Freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka. The Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka, Colombo. 362 p. (Ref. 6028)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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