Bagarius bagarius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bagarius bagarius |
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The Bagarius bagarius, often called the giant devil catfish or goonch, is a fascinating type of catfish. In Bangladesh, people call it "baghair" (Bengali: বাঘাইর). This fish lives in big and medium-sized rivers across South Asia. Scientists now think it might be the same species as another fish called B. yarrelli.
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About the Goonch Catfish
The goonch catfish is a very interesting fish. It belongs to a group of fish called Bagarius. These fish are known for living in fast-flowing rivers. They often hide among rocks and logs on the riverbed. This helps them ambush other fish and creatures they like to eat.
Goonch catfish are found in many countries. You can find them in rivers in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. They prefer clear, flowing water, not still ponds. They are an important part of the river ecosystem.
Understanding Its Name
For a long time, scientists thought there were two different types of goonch catfish in the Indian Subcontinent. One was called B. bagarius. It was thought to be a smaller fish, growing up to about 20 cm or 7.9 in (8 inches). This fish was first described in 1822. It was named by a scientist named Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. He found a specimen in the Ganges River.
The other type was called B. yarrelli. This one was believed to be much larger. It could grow up to 2 m or 6.6 ft (6.5 feet) long! This bigger fish was described later, in 1839. It was named by William Henry Sykes from a fish found in the Mula-Mutha River.
Recent Discoveries
New studies have changed what we know about these fish. Scientists looked closely at many goonch catfish. They found that there might only be one species in the Indian subcontinent. This means the smaller B. bagarius and the larger B. yarrelli are actually the same fish!
When two names are given to the same species, the older name is usually kept. This is called a "senior synonym." So, B. bagarius is now the official name for both. This was confirmed by a study in 2021.
Other Goonch Species
It's important to know that goonch catfish from other parts of Asia are different. For example, those found in Southeast Asia, like in the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, are not the same. A 2021 study found that these are a new species. It has been named B. vegrandis.
Stories About the Goonch
The very large goonch catfish has been part of some interesting stories. There are old tales about very large goonch catfish attacking people in certain rivers. One famous river where these stories come from is the Mahakali River. This river forms part of the border between Nepal and India. These stories show how big and powerful these fish can be.
