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Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794)

Image contributors to this species:

Allan James (1) Frants Lehmann (1 stamp) Beta Mahatvaraj (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (1) Cheilinus Aquarium Photography (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 – 13; Vertebrae: 31 – 37. Body elongate and slightly compressed. Maxillary barbels extending beyond the pelvic fins, often to the end of the anal fin. Dorsal spine weak, finely serrated on its inner edge. Adipose fin small, inserted much behind rayed dorsal fin but anterior to the anal fin. Habitat: Adults inhabit standing and flowing waters. Usually found among marginal vegetation in lakes and swamps with a mud substrate. Colouration: in life varies with age; generally delicate gray-silvery to shining golden, with several (about 5) pale blue or dark brown to deep black longitudinal on side. A narrow dusky spot often present on the shoulder. The fins glass, with dark tips. Feed on plants, shrimps, insects, mollusks and fish. 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 vittatus: banded, referring to the light-blue stripes on sides.

Common Name:

Striped dwarf catfish

Synonyms:

Mystus vittatus vittatus, Silurus vittatus, Macrones vittatus.

Family:

Bagridae

Distribution:

Asia: Inland and coastal rivers of Pakistan, Nepal India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Type locality: Tranquebar.

Size:

21.0cm (8¼ins)

Temp:

22-28°C (71-83°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Despite being targeted in artisanal fisheries and being sometimes harvested as an ornamental fish and demonstrated population declines in parts of its natural distribution, the level of exploitation is not deemed high enough to be a threat to long-term survival of this species as this species has a very wide distribution and is still a relatively abundant fish. Mystus vittatus is therefore assessed as Least Concern. However, taxonomic studies on the conspecificity of the populations found throughout the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka are necessary to verify if only one species, or if multiple species, are involved. Should the latter case prove to be true, it will be necessary to reassess this species (IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Ng, H.H. 2010. Mystus vittatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
Pethiyagoda, R., 1991. Freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka. The Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka, Colombo. 362 p.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Family: Bagridae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Mystus vittatus

Mystus vittatus

Mystus vittatus
Stress colouration

Mystus vittatus

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