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Description: Differs from all other species of Mystus in having eyes lateral, rather than dorsolateral, so that they are  about equally visible viewed either from above or from below head (in other species eyes usually cannot be seen at all from directly below). Mouth nearly terminal, less downturned than in any other species of striped Mystus. Serrae of  pectoral  spine  smaller and less erect  than in any other striped Mystus. Adipose fin short but very high, originating  far behind dorsal fin, its length about twice and its height  slightly less than eye diameter. Gill rakers increase in number throughout life  faster than in any other Mystus. The anal fin has slightly more rays (13-15) than other striped Mystus of Thailand (usually 12 or less), and its posterior border is distinctly falcate. Cranial fontanel extends posteriorly to about midway between level of posterior border of eye and base of supraoccipital process. Maxillary barbel extends posteriorly to beyond anal fin or to end of middle caudal fin rays. Habitat: Often found in mixed schools with M. multiradiatus which congregate around tree limbs and other solid objects, browsing the hard surfaces for zooplankton, aquatic insects, crustaceans and rotifers. Moves into flooded forests during the rainy season and returns to rivers in November and December in the lower Mekong. Colouration: Side of body with 3 faint dark and 2 whitish stripes. Reproduction: Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family. Etymology: The genus name Mystus: "Mystax" meaning whiskered (hair on the upper lip) Mystus was first used by Belon in 1553 to describe all fish with whiskers. The specific name mysticetus: generic name of baleen whales, referring to numerous slender, baleen-like gill rakers.

None

Mystus vittatus (non Bloch)

Bagridae

Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya River basins.

13.0cm (5¼ins)

22-28°C (71-83°F)

6.0-7.5.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2004. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (10/2004).
Rainboth, W.J. 1996 Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO Species Identification Field Guide for Fishery Purposes. FAO, Rome, 265 p.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.