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Glyptothorax telchitta (Hamilton, 1822)

Image contributors to this species:

Beta Mahatvaraj (8)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 1; Vertebrae: 34 – 36. Distinguished from its congeners, except Glyptothorax botius, in northeast India in having a combination of large, prominent tubercles on the head and body, a thoracic adhesive apparatus without a median depression, and a very slender body and caudal peduncle (sometimes described as spindle shaped). Glyptothorax botius differs from G. telchitta in having a more triangular snout when viewed laterally, the absence of dark saddles on the body, a thoracic adhesive apparatus with narrower folds of skin, a shorter adipose-fin base (9.5-11.5% SL vs. 12.0- 16.4) and a deeper caudal peduncle (4.7-5.9% SL vs. 3.1-4.2). Dorsal fin with I,5,i, or I,6 rays; Anal fin with iv,8, iv,9, iv,9,i, iv,10 or iv,11,i rays; pectoral fin with I,7,i, I,8 or I,8,i rays; pelvic fin with i,5 rays. Habitat: Lives mainly in hill streams. This specimen was collected from the Bhagirathi (Ganga) at Chakdah, Nadia Dist, West Bengal. Colouration: Darkish brown above and sides, dirty yellow below; head, sides and fins mottled with dark spots; fins excepting caudal and adipose with spotted bands. Etymology: The specific name telchitta: Presumably a local name for this catfish in Bengal (now Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal) and the Indian state of Bihar.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Glyptosternum telchitta, Glyptothorax telchitta telchitta, Pimelodus telchitta.

Family:

Sisoridae

Distribution:

Asia: Ganges drainage, India. Type locality: Hooghly River at Kalna, 23°13’30.0”N, 88°22’39.0”E.

Size:

8.0cm. (3¼ins)

Temp:

18-24°c (63-75°f.)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Although the current population and its trends are unknown for Glyptothorax telchitta, current indications from field surveys are that this species is still relatively widespread and abundant. Therefore, this species is assessed as Least Concern, but needs updating, (IUCN 2010).

Reference:

Alfred W. Thomson & Lawrence M. Page; 30 October 2006. Genera of the Asian Catfish Families Sisoridae and Erethistidae (Teleostei: Siluriformes) (Zootaxa 1345).
Jayaram; K.C. Catfishes of India, Narendera Publishing House. p.253.
Ng, H.H. 2010. Glyptothorax telchitta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran, 1991. Inland fishes of India and adjacent countries. Volume 2. A.A.Balkema, Rotterdam.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Glyptothorax telchitta

Glyptothorax telchitta
Showing the tubercles on the head and body

Glyptothorax telchitta
Close up of the tubercles on the head and body

Glyptothorax telchitta

Glyptothorax telchitta
Head view

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