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The Bagarius of Thailand

by Nonn Panitvong

hanks to the great work from Dr. Ng Heok Hee and Dr. Maurice Kottelat, we can now identify all 4 of our Bagarius with a name. The B. sp. Salween is still a work in progress and I sure hope they will sort it soon. So here is how to tell them apart. After posting the new Thai fish (Kae) article, there are some people who can't identify the difference's between each type. Today, I got the photo's from Dr. Chawalit Wittawittayon, which is a fish that puts a straight set. It makes it easier to see the comparison points than the last time.

Bagarius lica

1. Bagarius lica has a much larger and relatively shorter head than Bagarius sp. "Salween".

Bagarius vegrandis

Bagarius vegrandis

2. Bagarius vegrandis's anal fin (as show by the red verticle line) begins much in advance of its adipose fin (blue line), compare to B. lica which begins almost at the same level and B. sp. "Salween" which anal fin begins a bit in front of the adipose fin.

Bagarius suchus

Bagarius suchus

3. Any fool should be able to tell Bagarius suchus from the rest, eh?

Bagarius sp. "Salween"

Bagarius sp. "Salween"

Let's start with the two types of classification. The 1st and 2rd photo's will see that the 1st one has a bigger and shorter head. If you watch it individually, it may be a bit difficult. If you compare to this, you will see quite clearly. The other point is to see the starting position of the adipose and anal fins where I hit the red and blue lines. You will see that the beginning of 1 is almost lined up in the same way. While in 2 the anal fin is further forward.

Photo Credits

Author & Dr. Chawalit Wittawittayon

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