SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Phalacronotus bleekeri (Günther, 1864)

Image contributors to this species:

Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Jean-Francois Helias (2) Upscale Aquatics (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Discription: Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal soft rays: 77 - 85. Maxillary barbels extending to eyes, mandibulary ones minute. Dorsal fin absent; pectoral fins much shorter than head, with a denticulated spine; pelvic fins small; anal fin long, its base 2.8-3.0 times HL. Head 4 2/3 times in SL; vomerine teeth in smoothly curved band; short maxillary barbel not extending beyond jaw; mandibular barbels shorter than eye width; caudal peduncle lacking dark blotch at its base. Body depth 5.1-5.9 times in SL. Habitat: Occurs in rivers, streams and lakes as well as in impoundments. A migratory species. Undertakes lateral migrations from the Mekong River into smaller tributaries and into the floodplains at the start of the flood season, returning back to the main river channel when the water begins to recede at the onset of the dry season. Migrations are triggered by the first rainfall at the end of the dry season, as well as water level changes. Lunar cycle affects also the movements. Returns to the river from the floodplain and tributaries on, or immediately before, the full moon. Diet: Feeds on small fishes, shrimps and aquatic insect larvae. Etymology: The genus name Phalacronoyus: phalakrós, bare; notus, from nôtos, back, referring to absence of dorsal fin, i.e., bare-backed. The specific name bleekeri: In honour of Dutch medical doctor and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker (1819-1878).

Common Name:

Bleeker's Sheathfish

Synonyms:

SKryptopterus bleekeri, Cryptopterus bleekeri, Micronema bleekeri Bocourt, 1866

Family:

Siluridae

Distribution:

Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya River basins, and Sundaland.

Size:

60.0cm. (24ins)

Temp:

20-26°C (67-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Even though this is a species that is likely threatened due to overfishing in parts of its range, recent data indicates that is still sufficiently abundant over most of its range. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern. It may be necessary to reassess this species once the effects of fisheries and other threats on the populations are better understood, but it does need updating (IUCN 2012).

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2008. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (02/2011).
Ng, H.H. 2012. Phalacronotus bleekeri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.
Rainboth, W.J., 1996. Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO Species Identification Field Guide for Fishery Purposes. FAO, Rome, 265 p.

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

Phalacronotus bleekeri

Phalacronotus bleekeri

Phalacronotus bleekeri
Captured by Jean-Francois Helias

Phalacronotus bleekeri
Head view

Phalacronotus bleekeri

If you would like to contribute to the monthly factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail me. You will of course be credited for your work.

If you would like to donate any denomination of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few years yet.