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

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.

Striped dwarf catfish

Mystus vittatus vittatus, Silurus vittatus, Macrones vittatus.

Bagridae

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

21.0cm (8¼ins)

22-28°C (71-83°F)

6.0-7.5.

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
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.