Hemibagrus wyckioides

Last updated

Asian redtail catfish
Redtail-Catfish.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Bagridae
Genus: Hemibagrus
Species:
H. wyckioides
Binomial name
Hemibagrus wyckioides
(P. W. Fang & Chaux, 1949)
Synonyms
  • Macrones wyckioides
    Fang & Chaux, 1949
  • Mystus wyckioides
    (Fang & Chaux, 1949)
  • Mystus aubentoni
    Desoutter, 1975

Hemibagrus wyckioides, the Asian redtail catfish, is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Bagridae.

Contents

Distribution

These catfish originate from the Mekong basin, and are reported from Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, and peninsular Thailand river systems. [2] There is also an introduced population in Malaysia. [3]

Appearance and anatomy

Hemibagrus wyckioides reaches a length of 130 centimetres (51 inches) TL. [2] This species is the largest Bagrid catfish in Asia, and may reach 80 kilograms (180 lb). [4] The caudal fin is white when the fish is small, but it becomes bright red when it reaches about 15 cm (6 in). [2]

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. [4]

Ecology

Hemibagrus wyckioides occurs in large upland rivers, and is common in areas with rocky bottoms and irregular depths. [2] [4] These fish do not migrate, but they reproduce locally and enter the flooded forest during high water in July–October. [4] H. wyckiodies feed on insects, prawns, fish, and crabs. [4]

Relationship to humans

This fish is marketed fresh as a food fish. [2] Hemibagrus are aquacultured in Asian countries. [5]

Hemibagrus wyckioides and Hemibagrus wyckii are the two members of this genus imported as aquarium fish. [5] This species will rearrange decorations in the aquarium. [6] These fish are not picky, and will eat a variety of fish foods. [6] This species is sometimes claimed to be the most aggressive freshwater fish in the world, and should be left alone. [7]

As an Invasive Species

H. wyckioides is an invasive species in Malaysia. They were introduced as a food fish and some individuals escaped from fish farms or were released illegally into rivers. It is now illegal to keep H. wyckioides in net cages in Malaysia. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Vidthayanon, C. (2012). "Hemibagrus wyckioides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012 e.T180905A1676163. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T180905A1676163.en . Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemibagrus wyckioides". FishBase . May 2007 version.
  3. 1 2 "大马渔业局未曾发准证 养殖红尾鲶鱼者皆属违法 - 北马 - 地方". 東方網 馬來西亞東方日報[ Oriental Daily News ] (in Chinese). 2021-04-03. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Ng, Heok Hee; Rainboth, Walter, J. (1999). "The Bagrid Catfish Genus Hemibagrus (Teleostei: Siluriformes) in Central Indochina with a New Species from the Mekong River" (PDF). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 47 (2): 555–576. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2007-06-17.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. 1 2 Linder, R. Shane (June 2000). "The Catfishes of Asia Family Bagridae part two" (PDF). Cat Chat. 1 (2). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-20.
  6. 1 2 Ralph, Chris (2004-10-04). "Hemibagrus wyckioides". ScotCat.com. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
  7. ↑ "Hemibagrus wyckioides". PlanetCatfish.com. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
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