Bagarius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BagariusTemporal range: Pliocene - Recent
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| Bagarius rutilus | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Sisoridae |
| Subfamily: | Sisorinae |
| Genus: | Bagarius Bleeker, 1854 |
| Type species | |
| Pimelodus bagarius Hamilton, 1822
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Bagarius (Thai: ปลาแค้) is a group of large catfishes found in Asia. These fish belong to the Sisoridae family. There are about five or six types of Bagarius catfish alive today. Scientists also know about one ancient type, called Bagarius gigas, which is now extinct.
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Types of Bagarius Catfish
Here are the main types of Bagarius catfish that live today:
- Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822)
- Bagarius lica (Volz, 1903)
- Bagarius rutilus (Ng & Kottelat, 2000)
- Bagarius suchus (Roberts, 1983) – also known as the Crocodile catfish
- Bagarius vegrandis (Ng & Kottelat, 2021) – also known as the Dwarf goonch catfish
- Bagarius yarrelli (Sykes, 1839) – also known as the Goonch catfish. Some scientists think this one might be the same as Bagarius bagarius.
A recent study in 2021 suggested that the giant devil catfish (Bagarius yarrelli) is actually the same species as Bagarius bagarius. Also, Bagarius lica might be the same as Bagarius vegrandis.
An ancient type, Bagarius gigas, lived a very long time ago in Sumatra.
Where They Live
Bagarius catfish live in rivers across South Asia and Southeast Asia. You can find them in the Indus River in Pakistan and India. They also live eastward, all the way to the Red River in Vietnam. They are also found throughout countries like Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia.
For example, Bagarius bagarius lives in big rivers like the Ganges River, Chao Phraya River, and Mekong River. The Crocodile catfish (Bagarius suchus) is found in the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers. Bagarius rutilus lives in the Red River in northern Vietnam.
Ancient History
The ancient Bagarius gigas is believed to have lived in Sumatra. This was during a very old time period called the Eocene epoch.
The oldest known fossil of a fish from the Sisoridae family is a Bagarius bagarius. This fossil was found in Sumatra and India. It dates back to the Pliocene epoch, which was millions of years ago.
What They Look Like
Bagarius catfish have a wide head that is somewhat flat. Their mouth is broad and usually at the very front or slightly underneath. They have wide gill openings. Both their back fin (dorsal fin) and side fins (pectoral fins) have strong, sharp spines. These spines help protect them.
Their head and body are covered in tough, leathery skin. This skin has small bumps or patches that make it feel rough. Bagarius catfish do not have a special sticky pad on their chest. Their paired fins are also not folded.
All Bagarius species generally have a similar color pattern. They usually have three dark bands or blotches on their body. They might also have irregular spots. The color of their fins can be different for each species. Some have plain fins, while others have spots or bars. Some Bagarius yarrelli can even have many spots, looking a bit like a Dalmatian dog.
There are some small differences between the species. For example, in Bagarius bagarius, the pelvic fins (belly fins) usually start before the last ray of the dorsal fin. But in Bagarius yarrelli, these fins start further back. Also, the small fleshy fin (adipose fin) on their back is in different places for different species. Bagarius suchus tends to have a flatter head and body than the others.
In terms of size, Bagarius bagarius usually grows to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. Bagarius rutilus can grow up to 100 centimeters (about 3 feet) long. The Crocodile catfish (Bagarius suchus) reaches about 70 centimeters (2.3 feet). Both Bagarius yarrelli and Bagarius lica can grow very large. They can reach up to 200 centimeters (about 6.5 feet) long!
How They Live
Bagarius bagarius lives in fast-flowing, rocky parts of large and medium-sized rivers. The Crocodile catfish (Bagarius suchus) also likes rapids in big rivers. The Goonch catfish (Bagarius yarrelli) lives on the bottom of large rivers, even where the current is very strong. They are often found among big rocks in white water.
Bagarius bagarius mainly eats insects. They also eat small fish, frogs, and shrimp. The Crocodile catfish (Bagarius suchus) mainly eats other fish. The Goonch catfish (Bagarius yarrelli) mostly eats prawns. They also eat small fish and water insects.
Bagarius bagarius lays its eggs in rivers before the yearly flood season begins.
The Goonch catfish (Bagarius yarrelli) travels in groups. They are known to move to follow their food. They are also reported to follow another large fish, Catlocarpio siamensis, when it swims upstream. Their main upstream journey seems to happen when the floods are at their highest. At this time, the current is very strong and the water is muddy.
Bagarius and Humans
Bagarius catfish are caught and sold fresh in markets. They are an important food fish for many people. However, their meat spoils quickly. If not handled properly, eating it can cause illness.
See also
In Spanish: Bagarius para niños
