Crocodile catfish, a rare fish species was discovered.
Crocodile Catfish – It is one of the largest freshwater catfish species in Asia.
Discovered in – Bahini River, Guwahati, Assam.
Taxonomy
Scientific name – Bagarius suchus.
Family – Sisoridae.
Sisoridae is the largest family of Asian catfishes, found throughout the southern arc of the Asian continent.
It is known as Asian giant river catfish, crocodile goonch catfish or giant devil catfish.
Size – 70 centimeters (28 inches).
Distribution – South and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Habitat – Fast-flowing rivers, turbulent rapids, boulders, large rocks, submerged roots, and debris.
Morphology – It has a long, cylindrical body with a broad head, a wide mouth, typically dark brown or black in colour, and have irregular patches or spots on its body.
The dorsal fin is long and extends almost the entire length of the back.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males – Typically slimmer than females and may have slightly more pronounced coloration.
Characteristics – It habitats the rivers characterized by strong currents, rocky substrates, and cooler water temperatures.
It best fed in the evening or at night when they are most active.
Diet – It is a carnivorous predator feed on smaller fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates.
Its overfeeding lead to poor water quality and health issues.
Threat to aquatic ecosystem – It is an invasive species, threatens the local aquatic ecosystem by depleting native fish populations and disturbing the natural balance.
