Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)
Giant river-catfish
Sperata seenghala
photo by Hasan, M.E.

Family:  Bagridae (Bagrid catfishes)
Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh (Ref. 4833). Reported from Thailand (Ref. 37773) and Yunnan, China (Ref. 84139).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Body elongate and compressed; snout broad and spatulate. Barbels extend posteriorly to pelvic fins or beyond to anal fin. Dorsal spine weakly serrated on its posterior edge; adipose fin base short, about as long as the rayed dorsal fin base. Color is brownish-gray on back, silvery on flanks and belly. A dark well-defined spot is on the adipose dorsal fin.
Biology:  Found in rivers, canals, beels, ditches, inundated fields and other freshwater areas. Adults fight well and provide good sport. Carnivore. Breeding occurs before the commencement of monsoons. Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same genus (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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