| Crystal-eyed catfish | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Bagridae |
| Genus: | Hemibagrus |
| Species: | H. wyckii |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemibagrus wyckii (Bleeker, 1858) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hemibagrus wyckii is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Bagridae. It is occasionally called the crystal-eyed catfish [1] or black devil catfish.[ citation needed ]
This species originates in Asia from Thailand to Indonesia. [2] It is known from the Mekong [3] and Chao Phraya [3] drainages in central Indochina. It is also known from the Batang Hari [3] and Musi River [3] drainages in Sumatra, the Pahang River [3] and Perak River [ citation needed ] drainage in Peninsular Malaysia, the Citarum [3] drainage in Java, and the Baram, [3] Rejang, [3] Kapuas, [3] and Barito River [3] drainages in Borneo.
Hemibagrus wyckii are black with a few white markings on the caudal and dorsal fins, and the eyes are sky blue. [4] They reach about 71 centimetres (28 in) SL. [2] The head is extremely depressed and broad. The caudal fin is dark grey. The dorsal fin spine has 10–12 serrations on the posterior edge. [3]
Hemibagrus wyckii bears a resemblance to H. wyckioides , however H. wyckioides lacks serrations on the dorsal fin spine, has a shorter dorsal fin base, and shorter maxillary barbels. [3]
Hemibagrus wyckii appears to be restricted in the middle reaches of the large rivers it inhabits. [2] This species feeds on insects, prawns and fishes. [2] These fish are aggressive and can attack animals of their own size; they have been claimed to be the "only freshwater fish unafraid of man". [1] [4]
This fish is marketed fresh as a food fish. [2] Hemibagrus are aquacultured in Asian countries. [4]
Hemibagrus wyckii and Hemibagrus wyckioides are the two members of this genus imported as aquarium fish. [4] These fish will bite and can damage objects in the aquarium. [1] Due to both its aggressive and its predatory nature, this species should be kept alone. [1]
Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia, and the piraíba of South America, to detritivores, and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the Candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. Neither the armour-plated types nor the naked types have scales. Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels or "whiskers". Members of the Siluriformes order are defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish are of considerable commercial importance; many of the larger species are farmed or fished for food. Many of the smaller species, particularly the genus Corydoras, are important in the aquarium hobby. Many catfish are nocturnal, but others are crepuscular or diurnal.
The Aspredinidae are a small South American family of catfishes also known as the banjo catfishes, with about 43 species.
The Ariidae or ariid catfish are a family of catfish that mainly live in marine waters with many freshwater and brackish water species. They are found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate zones. The family includes about 143 species.
The Bagridae are a family of catfish that are native to Africa (Bagrus) and Asia from Japan to Borneo. It includes about 245 species. These fish are commonly known as naked catfishes or bagrid catfishes.
Akysis is the largest genus of catfishes of the family Akysidae.
Brachyplatystoma is a genus of catfish from the family Pimelodidae. As the occasionally used common name goliath catfishes indicates, this genus includes some of the largest species of catfish, including the piraíba, B. filamentosum, which reaches up to the region of 3.6 metres (12 ft) in length. Brachyplatystoma are found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and other tropical freshwater and brackish habitats in South America. Some species are migratory. These fish are important as food fish and, to some extent, aquarium fish.
Hemibagrus wyckioides, the Asian redtail catfish, is a species of catfish of the family Bagridae.
Batasio is a genus of catfish of the family Bagridae. These small fish are found in fast-flowing hillstreams throughout South and mainland Southeast Asia.
Bagrichthys is a genus of bagrid catfishes.
Hemibagrus is a genus of catfishes of the family Bagridae.
Erethistoides is a genus of South Asian river catfishes.
Erethistes is a genus of South Asian river catfishes.
Pseudobagrus is a genus of bagrid catfishes that inhabit streams and rivers throughout East Asia. About half of these species occur in China.
Bagarius is an Asian genus of catfishes of the family Sisoridae. It includes five to six extant species and potentially one extinct fossil species, B. gigas.
Sisor is a genus of catfishes native to Asia.
Breitensteinia is a genus of catfishes of the family Akysidae. It includes three species.
Acrochordonichthys is a genus of catfishes of the family Akysidae. It includes ten species.
The Somalia catfish is a species of catfish in the family Bagridae. The Somalia catfish is native to the Jubba River in Somalia.
Acanthobunocephalus nicoi is the only species of catfish in the genus Acanthobunocephalus of the family Aspredinidae. This species is known from only three localities and appears to be restricted to the upper Orinoco River system of Venezuela and possibly the upper Rio Negro system of Brazil.
Wallagonia leerii, also known as the Great Tapah, helicopter catfish, and formerly the striped wallago catfish is a species of catfish native to Southeast Asia. Its habitat ranges from the river drainages of Thailand through the Malayan peninsula to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. It can grow up to 2 m in length and weigh up to 150 kg (330 lb). It has been used as food in Southeast Asia since ancient times. Overfishing for its prized meat has caused the population to significantly decrease. Furthermore, the breeding migration pattern of this fish is especially vulnerable to damming, which has also decreased the wild population significantly.