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Kryptopterus geminus Ng, 2003

Image contributors to this species:

Fishes of Mainland Southeast Asia (2) Allan James (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: K. geminus, together with K. cryptopterus, can be distinguished from congeners by the dorsal profile lacking a nuchal concavity and short maxillary barbels extending to the base of the pectoral fin. Kryptopterus geminus can be further distinguished from K. cryptopterus in having a narrower head (9.5– 12.0% SL vs. 12.2–14.2), longer anal fin (62.2–72.7% SL vs. 57.2–62.9) and snout (39.5–45.3% HL vs. 35.1–39.8), and more laterally-placed eyes (only ventral half, vs. ventral two-thirds, of the orbital margin visible when the head is viewed ventrally). Habitat: Kryptopterus geminus is described from the Bang Pakong, Mekong, Mae Khlong and Chao Phraya River drainages in mainland Southeast Asia. Occurs in large rivers with turbid waters and in streams and canals. Reproduction: Spawns during the early part of the rainy season. The young move toward the seasonally flooded habitats and are first seen in August. Diet: Feeds on fish, prawns, insects and their larvae. Etymology: The specific name geminus: From the Latin geminus, meaning twin-born; in allusion to the close morphological similarity with Kryptopterus cryptopterus. Remarks: Often misidentified as K. cryptopterus.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Siluridae

Distribution:

Asia: Mekong, Mae Khlong, Bang Pakong and Chao Phraya River drainages in mainland Southeast Asia. Type locality: Cambodia: Stung Treng,Mekong River 2 km downstream from mouth of Tonle San on sandbars, Mekong River drainage.

Size:

17.0cm. (6¾ins)

Temp:

24-28°C (75-83°F)

p.H.

6.0-8.0.

IUCN Red List

Even though there is no information regarding the population size and trends for this species, survey data indicates that it is still abundant throughout much of its range. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern, but needs updating, (IUCN 2012).

Reference:

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2016. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 01/2016 ).
Kottelat, M., 1998. Fishes of the Nam Theun and Xe Bangfai basins, Laos, with diagnoses of twenty-two new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Coiidae and Odontobutidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 9(1):1-128.
Ng, H.H., 2003. Kryptopterus geminus, a new silurid catfish (Teleostei: Siluridae) from mainland Southeast Asia. Zootaxa 305:1-11.
Ng, H.H. 2012. Kryptopterus geminus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.

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

Kryptopterus geminus

Kryptopterus geminus

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