Giant river-catfish
📖 Overview
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 .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 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.: elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant river-catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Giant river-catfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Giant river-catfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical; 39°N - 8°N
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Giant river-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 | 16.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 116 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant river-catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Giant river-catfish |
| 🌍CES | sperata dekanská |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aor seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Aoria seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Aorichthys aor sarwari | Mirza, Nawaz & Javed | 1992 | Synonym |
| Aorichthys seengala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Aorichthys seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Bagrus lamarrii | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Bagrus seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Macrones lamarrii | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Macrones seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Mystus seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Mystus seenghali | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Mystus seenghara | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Platystoma seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Platystomus seenghala | Sykes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Sperata sarwari | Mirza, Nawaz & Javed | 1992 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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