Tachysurus fulvidraco • Bagridae • Cat-eLog

Adult
Close-up of head
Stamp
Stamp
Juvenile, approximately 5cm

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Tachysurus fulvidraco** (Richardson, 1846)
Common Names	Tawny Dragon Catfish Amur Catfish, Yellow Catfish
Type Locality	Canton [= Guangzhou], China.
Synonym(s)	Bagrus calvarius, Macrones fulvidraco, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Pimelodus fulvidraco, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, Silurus calvarius
Pronunciation	full vih DRAY ko
Etymology	The specific epithet is from ''fulva'', tawny, and ''draco'', dragon.
Articles	- CotM 2003 October
Species Information
Size	345mm or 13.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Tachysurus can be identified by an extrascapular without a laterosensory canal, and a pterotic with a broad lateral laminar expansion. It is among the most speciose catfish groups in East Asia and its members inhabit habitats ranging from fast-flowing hillstreams to large rivers. Yellow back, yellowish white belly, large and dark brown speckles on sides. Elongated body. Strong spines on pectoral fins with anterior and posterior serrations. Dorsal fin origin much before ventral fin origin. Has an adipose fin. Caudal fin deeply forked. Is an important food fish in China and Korea. Soup made by simmering the fish with herbs and spices is considered to be a medicinal tonic in China. Nowadays rarely seen in the hobby (at least in North America and Europe).
Sexing	Adult males are larger than females.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Asia: Nam Ma basin (Laos) and Viet Nam to southeastern Siberia. Recorded from Amur river basin. Ma (click on these areas to find other species found there) Vietnam waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH	6.0 - 7.6
Temperature	16.0-25.0°C or 60.8-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	A hardy fish that can live in a wide variety of conditions. This is a cold water fish, so heating is not necessary. Can be successfully maintained in outdoor ponds, assuming climate isn't too hot or cold.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	In nature, feeds at the bottom on insects (particularly on trichopterans and chironomids), molluscs and occasionally fishes. Not a fussy feeder in captivity.
Furniture	Inhabits streams and lakes with muddy and sandy bottoms. Best maintained in an aquarium of 55 gallons or larger. Provide ample hiding places.
Compatibility	Generally a peaceful, solitary fish. Should not be kept with small, slow-moving tank mates, as they may be eaten. As a temperate species, you might be tempted to keep it with goldfish. This is not a good idea, slower moving fish will have fins nipped and scales eaten. Fancy goldfish will fare even worse.
Suggested Tankmates	Larger cold water cyprinids such as carp, given its propensity for eating smaller tankmates.
Breeding	In nature, spawning occurs in summer. Males have been reported to guard both the eggs and larvae in the nest hole, previously dug by the male in the clay bottom. Fry typically hatch in two days. Commercially bred in ponds.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science 15th meeting [1845], pp 286.
Registered Keepers	Keeping this species? Why not . There are 23 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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Last Update	2020 Sep 14 06:01 (species record created: 2001 May 03 00:00)