Cat-eLog Right Akysidae Right Parakysinae Right Acrochordonichthys  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Acrochordonichthys falcifer  Ng & Ng, 2001
Common Name Asian Banjo Cat
Type Locality Sungai Segama, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia.
Pronunciation ack roe KOR don ick thees - fall siff err
Etymology Acrochordonichthys: From the Greek akrochordon, meaning wart, and ichthys, meaning fish; in reference to the tuberculate skin. The specific epithet comes from the Latin falx, meaning scythe and fere, meaning to bear; in reference to the curved and smooth pectoral spines.
Down Species Information
Size 92mm or 3.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Catfish of the genus Acrochordonichthys are cryptically coloured species generally found at the bottoms of rivers throughout Southeast Asia. They have a highly rugose skin with tubercles arranged in longitudinal rows along the side of the body, a long low adipose fin and an emarginate caudal fin.

Color pattern with many small spots of various shades of brown; many small, dark brown spots on the dorsal surface of the head. Head length 22.4-28% SL; width 24-28.6%SL; depth 14.5-19.5% SL). Body depth at anus 10.9-13.6% SL; caudal peduncle depth 5.4-6.6% SL. Dorsal to adipose distance 5.5-7.7% SL; snout length 36.8-40.9% HL. Dorsal-fin base 10.8-13.1% SL. Rounded posterior margin of adipose fin. Head with small tubercles with poorly demarcated and indistinct margins; tubercles on body arranged in 5-6 longitudinal rows on each side. Premaxillary tooth band not exposed when the mouth is closed. Pectoral spine without serrations.
Sexing Difficult to sex. Males have a more slender genital papilla immediately in front of anus. Females tend to be larger and fuller-bodied.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Asia: known only from the Kinatabangan and Segama river drainages, and possibly from the Kayan River drainage in northeastern Borneo, Malaysia.
Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Borneo Waters, Kinabatangan (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Borneo Waters, East Borneo Waters, Segama (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category
Data Deficient
, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
pH 5.8 - 7.2
Temperature 18.0-25.0°C or 64.4-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Requires fairly well-oxygenated water and a strong current is preferred.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Ambush predator. Easily adapts to a diet of frozen food and pellets in the aquarium. May eat small bottom dwellers. User data.
Furniture Inhabits clear, swiftly flowing forested streams with sandy or rocky bottoms; hides under submerged logs or rocks with some leaf litter in the swifter parts of the stream. The fish does appear to move about after dark, as it is often found wedged under cover during the day. Driftwood and rocks seem to be their favorite cover, so provide plenty of these.
Compatibility Can be kept with anything other than small bottom dwellers.
Breeding Not reported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Journal of Fish Biology v. 58 (no. 2), pp 408, Figs. 5a, 6g, 16
Registered Keepers There are 3 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There is but a single wish to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
Forum BBCode
Search for A. falcifer
Look up AquaticRepublic.com Look up A. falcifer on AquaticRepublic.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up A. falcifer on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up A. falcifer on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up A. falcifer on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Acrochordonichthys falcifer QR code LFS label creator
ARN ref:1.29.246.1363
Last Update 2020 Sep 16 01:15 (species record created: 2004 Oct 27 00:00)