Bighead catfish
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Lives in lowland wetlands and rivers . Recorded as having been or being farmed in rice fields . Occurs in shallow, open water and is capable of lying buried in mud for lengthy period if ponds and lakes evaporate during dry seasons . Can move out of the water using its extended fins . Found in medium to large-sized rivers, stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals and flooded fields of the Mekong . Spawns in small streams . Feeds on aquatic insects, young shrimps and small fishes . In Thailand, it was thought wrongly as female of Clarias batrachus (Ref 2686). Important foodfish and in pond cultures . Marketed live, fresh and frozen; consumed fried, broiled and baked . Cultivated on a small scale but attempts to farm it are increasing .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0. Distinguished from Southeast Asian congeners by an extremely short and rounded occipital process and by a very high dorsal fin. The combination of these characters are diagnostic for the species . Occipital process wide, broadly curved, with length 3-5 times in its width; distance between dorsal and occipital process 5-7 times in distance from tip of snout to end of occipital process .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bighead catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Bighead catfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Eggs are attached to the roots of plants. Male takes charge of these eggs until they are hatched out.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous ; depth range 1 - ? m . Tropical; 34°N - 4°N
🌿 Ecology
aquatic insects, young shrimps and small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bighead catfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 114 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bighead catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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