Cat-eLog Right Sisoridae Right Sisorinae Right Bagarius  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Bagarius suchus  Roberts, 1983
Common Names Guitar Goonch
Crocodile Catfish, Dværg-djævlemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Kemrat, Thailand.
Pronunciation bag are ee uss - soo kess
Etymology Bagarius: From the Bengali name of the fish (Vaghari). The specific epithet comes from the Greek souchos, which is the Egyptian name for the crocodile. In reference to the crocodile-like appearance of the fish.
Down Species Information
Size 700mm or 27.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Rugose dorsal surface of bony cranium and predorsal plate exposed (not covered by skin); a median sharp ridge on supraoccipital crest and paired sharp longitudinal ridges on predorsal plate; skin on sides of head and on body with closely set beadlike or granular protuberances (resembling those of gecko skin) of similar size; body depth 7.9-9.3 (mean 8.5); a darkly pigmented spot or blotch on side of body midway between darkly pigmented bands associated with bases of dorsal and adipose fins. The skin above the neural spines anterior and posterior to the adipose fin always forms large ridges or humps (seven to nine in front of the adipose fin, three to five behind it), much more prominent and more numerous than the relatively weak humps or ridges sometimes formed over the neural spines in B. bagarius and rarely present and even more weakly developed in B. yarrelli. In B. suchus the adipose fin origin tends to lie even further posterior than i n B. bagarius (and therefore much further posteriorly than in B. yarrelli), and the distance separating the dorsal and adipose fins is much greater in B. suchus than in B. bagarius or B. yarrelli.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins.
Mekong (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Thailand Waters, Chao Praya (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Near Threatened, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH 6.0 - 7.2
Temperature 18.0-23.0°C or 64.4-73.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Cool, fast-flowing water required for this rapid dwelling fish.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Larval foods such as bloodworm and also shrimp. larger morsels (including fish) can be offered as the fish grows. User data.
Furniture Large, smooth and rounded stones over a sandy substrate. Provide a large rock or piece of driftwood for it to hide under.
Compatibility Best kept alone, given its predatory nature.
Suggested Tankmates Will eat or dismantle most tankmates.
Breeding Not reported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Copeia 1983 (no. 2), pp 442, Figs. 2c, 4.
Registered Keepers There are 5 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 5 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Jul 22 22:40 (species record created: 2005 May 23 00:00)