PlanetCatfish.com - Kryptoglanis shajii (Kryptoglanidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Kryptoglanis shajii** Vincent & Thomas, 2011
Common Name
Type Locality	A water well at 10°20.30'N, 76°18.37'E, Thrissur District, Kerala, India, depth of well 5.5 meters.
Etymology	Is a reference to the cryptic habitat of the type species, the Latin crypta, a vault or tunnel and glanis, a catfish. Named to honor the distinguished fish taxonomist, C.P. Shaji, who significantly contributed to the documentation of freshwater fish diversity of the Kerala region of Western Ghats by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.
Species Information
Size	59mm or 2.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Can be distinguished from all other genera of Siluriformes by the following combination of characters: viz. dorsal fin absent; anal fin with long base, completely confluent with caudal fin; total number of fin rays in the anal and caudal fins 70-74; eyes subcutaneous; mouth upwardly directed with distinctly projecting lower jaw; pectoral fin fan-like, lacking any spines; and four pairs of barbels, one pair being nasal barbels. No dorsal fin, no adipose fin. In freshly collected, live fishes, body translucent, a reddish band visible inside body from middle of head region to caudal-fin base. A few days after collection the body darkened but still reddish brown at head region with bluish area behind pectoral-fin base and bluish tinge on flanks towards caudal region. Some black pigmentation present on ventral surface, especially on anal fin.
Sexing	Abdomen yellow in live females because of presence of yolky ova.
General Remarks	Its habitat of subterranean streams, reduced eyes, diminished body pigmentation, smaller body size and exaggerated appearance of chemo- and mechano- receptors gives it the status of a troglomorphic fish. This subterranean habitat is under constant threat from active urbanization. There are also two species of subterranean clariids, Horaglanis krishnai and Horaglanis alikunhi reported from deep wells in Kerala State.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Collected from wells fed from groundwater springs, Subterranean, Thrissur District, Kerala, India. Indian waters, Kerala State Waters, Kerala subterranian wells (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Endangered , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2021.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Collected fishes were fed and thrived on Artemia nauplii and minced earthworms in the laboratory. User data.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Ichthyological Research v. 58 (no. 2), pp 162, Fig. 1.
Registered Keepers	There are 2 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.138.604.3712
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:35 (species record created: 2011 Jun 18 05:28)