Yellow catfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow catfish |
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The yellow catfish, also known as the sun catfish, is a special type of catfish. Its scientific name is Horabagrus brachysoma. This fish lives only in the rivers of the Western Ghats in India. People also call it Günther's catfish or Manjakoori in its home country. Other fun names for it include bullseye catfish, golden red tail catfish, and solar catfish.
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About the Yellow Catfish
What Does It Look Like?
The yellow catfish has a big head and a wide mouth. Its eyes are large, and you can even see them from below the fish! It has a dorsal fin with a strong spine on its back. It also has another small fin called an adipose fin.
This fish has four pairs of whiskers, called barbels. One pair is near its nose, one pair is on the sides of its mouth, and two pairs are under its chin. Its body is yellowish, and it has a black spot on its shoulder. This spot is surrounded by a lighter outline, like a halo! The yellow catfish can grow up to 45 centimeters (about 18 inches) long.
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Where Does It Live?
The yellow catfish is found in several places in southern India. These include the Kerala Backwaters, Vembanad Lake, Chalakudy River, and Nethravathi River. It also lives in the Uttara Kannada district.
These fish like to live in calm, slow-moving parts of rivers. They prefer areas with lots of plants. The Periyar River in Kerala used to be their best home. Now, they are often seen in the Chalakudy River. This is because the Chalakudy River has more undisturbed places for them to live. They live in lowland areas of rivers and backwaters. They prefer places with mud or sand at the bottom. You can also find them in deep pools and small streams in the hills.
What Does It Eat?
The yellow catfish is not picky about its food. It eats many different kinds of meaty things. Its diet includes small crustaceans like crabs, molluscs like snails, and even other small fish. Adult yellow catfish might also eat insects that fall into the water. Sometimes, they even eat small frogs!
Scientists have found mud and sand in their stomachs. This shows that they often feed at the bottom of the river. Having a flexible diet helps them survive in their changing habitat. For example, the amount of food available can change a lot during the monsoon season. The yellow catfish eats more during its breeding season. This happens after the monsoon rains. They lay their eggs before the monsoons begin.
Why Is It Important?
The yellow catfish is an important fish for people in India. It is caught and eaten as food. It is also sold to people who keep fish in aquariums.
Sadly, the yellow catfish is a vulnerable species. This means its numbers are going down. Some people even think it is an endangered species. Its population has dropped by 60-70% in recent years. This is mainly because of too much fishing. Also, their homes are being destroyed or changed by human activities. Pollution in the rivers also harms them.
