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Wallagonia micropogon (Ng, 2004)

Image contributors to this species:

Nonn Panitvong (2) Fishes of Mainland Southeast Asia (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Wallagonia micropogon is distinguished by the following characters: 14-16 branchiostegal rays; 14-16 gill rakers on first branchial arch; 68-73 anal fin rays; small gape extending to anterior margin of eye; pelvic fin length 8.9-10.6% SL; small eye, 8.7-10.1% HL; maxillary barbels reaching to middle of pectoral-fin base; rounded pectoral fin in which the fourth branched pectoral ray is the longest; pectoral spine length 14.3-16.7% SL; dark colored body with a few pale spots forming a mottled pattern; and 63-65 vertebrae. Habitat: Enters the flooded forest during high water and stays near the edge of the forest during low water. Migrates into smaller streams to spawn. Reproduction: Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family. Aquarium Care: Only juveniles can be kept in aquaria and fed on tablet food, beef heart and similar foods. Adult fish are not deemed suitable for aquarium keeping due to the size, verocity and its feeding needs for living fish. Diet: Adults feed strictly on fishes. Etymology: The specific name micropogon: micro-, from mikrós, small; põgon, beard, referring to its short maxillary barbels. Remarks: Cited in Fishbase and other internet sources as Wallago but in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes the current status is Wallagonia micropogon (Ng, 2004) (2018). The diferences between Wallago and Wallagonia are complex and are due to the different bone structures. Wallagonia was placed by Myers (1948) and nearly all subsequent authors as a junior synonym of Wallago, but it is was later recognised as a distinct genus by Roberts, T. R. 2014.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Siluridae

Distribution:

Asia: Mekong River drainage between Dau Tieng in southern Viet Nam and Luang Prabang in northern Laos; also middle Chao Phraya River drainage in Thailand.

Size:

154.0cm. (5ft 1½ins)

Temp:

22-26°C (71-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Recorded from the Mekong River drainage between southern Viet Nam and Luang Prabang in northern Lao PDR, as well as in the middle Chao Phraya River drainage in Thailand. There is little information available on the species, it is considered vulnerable to loss of habitat, but is assessed as Data Deficient at present, but does need updating, (IUCN 2011).

Reference:

Allen, D.J. 2011. Wallago micropogon. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (12/2010).
Ng, H.H. 2004 Wallago micropogon: a new species of Silurid catfish (Teleostei: Siluridae) from mainland southeast Asia. Copeia (1):92-97.
Roberts, T. R. 2014 (Apr.) Wallago Bleeker, 1851 and Wallagonia Myers, 1938 (Ostariophysi, Siluridae), distinct genera of tropical Asian catfishes, with description of [fossil] Walloago maemohensis from the Miocene of Thailand. BioOne v. 55 (no. 1): 35-47. [Originally as Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History, 55 (1):35-47.].
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Wallagonia micropogon

Wallagonia micropogon

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