Hemibagrus wyckii
| Crystal-eyed catfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Bagridae |
| Genus: | Hemibagrus |
| Species: | H. wyckii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hemibagrus wyckii (Bleeker, 1858)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hemibagrus wyckii is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Bagridae. It is occasionally called the crystal-eyed catfish,[2] blacktail catfish[1] or black devil catfish.
Distribution
This species originates in Asia from Thailand to Indonesia.[3] It is known from the Mekong[4] and Chao Phraya[4] drainages in central Indochina. It is also known from the Batang Hari[4] and Musi River[4] drainages in Sumatra, the Pahang River[4] and Perak River drainage in Peninsular Malaysia, the Citarum[4] drainage in Java, and the Baram,[4] Rejang,[4] Kapuas,[4] and Barito River[4] drainages in Borneo.
Appearance and anatomy
Hemibagrus wyckii are black with a few white markings on the caudal and dorsal fins, and the eyes are sky blue.[5] They reach about 71 centimetres (28 in) SL.[3] The head is extremely depressed and broad. The caudal fin is dark grey. The dorsal fin spine has 10–12 serrations on the posterior edge.[4]
Hemibagrus wyckii bears a resemblance to H. wyckioides, however H. wyckioides lacks serrations on the dorsal fin spine, has a shorter dorsal fin base, and shorter maxillary barbels.[4]
Ecology
Hemibagrus wyckii appears to be restricted in the middle reaches of the large rivers it inhabits.[3] This species feeds on insects, prawns and fishes.[3] These fish are aggressive and can attack animals of their own size; they have been claimed to be the "only freshwater fish unafraid of man".[2][5]
Relationship to humans
This fish is marketed fresh as a food fish.[3] Hemibagrus are aquacultured in Asian countries.[5]
Hemibagrus wyckii and Hemibagrus wyckioides are the two members of this genus imported as aquarium fish.[5] These fish will bite and can damage objects in the aquarium.[2] Due to both its aggressive and its predatory nature, this species should be kept alone.[2]
References
- ^ a b Vidthayanon, C.; Ng, H.H. (2020). "Hemibagrus wyckii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T181293A91180016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T181293A91180016.en. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::December 2002". 2006-08-10. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
- ^ a b c d e Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemibagrus wyckii". FishBase. May 2007 version.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ng, Heok Hee; Rainboth, Walter J. (1999). "The Bagrid Catfish Genus Hemibagrus (Teleostei: Siluriformes) in Central Indochina with a New Species from the Mekong River" (PDF). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 47 (2): 555–576. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-18.
- ^ a b c d Linder, R. Shane (June 2000). "The Catfishes of Asia Family Bagridae part two" (PDF). Cat Chat. 1 (2). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-20.