Bagarius bagarius

Bagarius bagarius
File:Preserved specimens - Kunming Natural History Museum of Zoology - DSC02402.JPG
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Sisoridae
Genus:	Bagarius
Species:	B. bagarius
Binomial name
Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822)
Synonyms
Pimelodus bagarius Hamilton, 1822

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.

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. This larger type has been accused of several fatal attacks on humans in the Mahakali River that is Nepal's western border with India. 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.

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.

References

5. 'Giant Baghair caught in Jamuna' in The Daily Star (Bangladesh), May 12, 2009]