Scientific Name
Heteropneustes fossilis

Common Name
Stinging catfish

Biology
Found mainly in ponds, ditches, swamps and marshes, but sometimes occurs in muddy rivers. Can tolerate slightly brackish water. Omnivorous. Breed in confined waters during the monsoon months, but can breed in ponds, derelict ponds and ditches when sufficient rain-water accumulates. Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family. In great demand due to its medicinal value.

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1794

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Airsac catfishes (Heteropneustidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Myanmar.

Range

33°N - 5°N, 64°E - 97°E

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

21 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 30 demersal

Trophic Level

3.68 s.e. 0.62 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (16 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.23; tm=1; Fec=4,200)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 4716)

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)