Phylum Chordata Order Siluriformes Genus Bagarius Rank Species | ||
 | ||
Similar Bagarius, Bagarius yarrelli, Sisoridae, Bagarius suchus, Bagarius rutilus | ||
Bagarius bagarius indian goonch catfish
Bagarius bagarius, also known as the devil catfish, dwarf goonch or goonch (Bengali: বাঘাইর), is a species of catfish in the genus Bagarius. It is generally reported as being found in large and medium rivers in South and Southeast Asia, but considerable taxonomic confusion surrounds this species and B. yarrelli.
Contents
- Bagarius bagarius indian goonch catfish
- Big devil catfish fillet huge size bagarius bagarius fish cutting in market
- Taxonomy
- Aquarium
- References
Big devil catfish fillet huge size bagarius bagarius fish cutting in market
Taxonomy
At present the standard is to recognise two species of Bagarius from the Indian Subcontinent: First B. bagarius, supposedly a small species (up to 20 cm or 7.9 in) first described in 1822 by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton based on a specimen from the Ganges River. The second is B. yarrelli, supposedly a very large species (up to 2 m or 6.6 ft) first described in 1839 by William Henry Sykes based on a specimen from the Mula-Mutha River. Recent studies have not been able to document that more than one species exists in the Indian subcontinent, which, if confirmed, would mean that the name B. bagarius is a senior synonym of B. yarrelli. In contrast, Southeast Asian populations typically included in B. bagarius likely represents a separate species.
The larger type has been accused of several fatal attacks on humans in the Mahakali River that is Nepal's western border with India.
Aquarium
B. bagarius is the only member of the genus even marginally suitable for home aquaria. It requires cool, fast-flowing water, and eats bloodworms, shrimp and live or dead fish. Reports exist of very anti-social behaviour by these fish in captivity.
