Neko-gigi

📖 Overview

Neko-gigi (Coreobagrus ichikawai), first described by Okada & Kubota, 1957 is a small fish in the family Bagridae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 10.80 cm in maximum length. Reported lifespan reaches approximately 4 years. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Temperate waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Vulnerable.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Bagridae kept in the hobby.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16. Resembles Pelteobagrus nudiceps in having a slightly notched posterior caudal fin margin, but distinguished by having a shorter body and fewer fin rays.: elongated; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Neko-gigi is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

Observed from an aquarium, mature males swam around the shelter before spawning, sometimes digging the substrate under the shelter by beating their tail. Although males did not show features of parental care such as fanning or egg-cleaning in an aquarium condition, they continued to tend the shelter and attack other fish introduced to the aquarium. Once a ripe female was introduced to a male aquarium, the male starts to pursue the female, nudging its belly. The female is then led to or visited voluntarily the male shelter. Subsequently, either in the shelter (usually) or outside, the male wraps its body around the head and abdomen of the female, with the female's head against the male's caudal peduncle. The pair remain in this position for 5.2-9.2 seconds (6.1-7.8 seconds on the average for each pair). The female, firmly held by the male's pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins, slowly beats its caudal fin during the embrace. The embrace is terminated by spawning, with the female often turning its abdomen upwards when releasing eggs. Neither conspicuous ejaculatory behavior by the male nor turbidity caused by the semen was observed. Immediately after spawning, the female stirs the eggs by quickly swinging its body, leaves the spawning site afterwards or is chased away by the male. After several minutes, the female either returns voluntarily or is led back by the male to the shelter, repeating the same behavioral pattern all over again. The mean interval between successive spawnings ranged from 1.7-7.0 mins. It was also observed that immediately following spawning, all males were observed to forage for eggs.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate; 35°N - 34°N endemic to the streams in the Mie Prefecture, Honshu Island, Japan.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Neko-gigi.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .

👥 Community & Contribute