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Sisor catfish (Sisor rabdophorus) — Sisoridae

Sisor catfish

Sisor rabdophorus
Family: Sisoridae

The Sisor catfish (Sisor rabdophorus) is a freshwater fish of the family Sisoridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sisor catfish is a small hillstream catfish (Sisoridae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Ganges and Indus systems in South Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened body set with bony platelets and tubercles that tapers into a very long, thin tail whip, with barbels around the mouth and a chest plate with which it clings on. As a bottom-dweller it probes gravel and sand for insect larvae. The stout pectoral spine can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sisor catfish?

The Sisor catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sisor catfish live?

The Sisor catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sisor catfish get?

The Sisor catfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Sisor catfish dangerous to humans?

The Sisor catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Sisor catfish edible?

Yes, the Sisor catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zweepstaart-bergmeerval sourced
English name
Sisor catfish sourced
Scientific name
Sisor rabdophorus
Family
Sisoridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Sisoridae

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