This is the largest family of catfishes in Asia
with around 100 species known.
There
is an adipose fin present (confluent with caudal
in some genera and consisting of a small spine
in the elongate Sisor); dorsal fin
base short, fin with or without a spine, adhesive
apparatus in thoracic region present or absent;
four pairs of barbels (however, the monotypic
Sisor has one maxillary pair and five
pairs on the lower jaw). They are not too well
known to aquarists as they are only sporadically
exported. The most common being the genus, Gagata,
Bagarius and Glyptothorax.
Known collectively as "hill stream catfishes"
due to many of them being found in fast flowing
rivers. The Sisorids vary in body shape and
are probably the hardest family for the aquarist
to identify.
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.