Description:Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total):
7; Anal soft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 50. Has unique combination
of the following characters: length of caudal peduncle
20.2% SL, length of adipose-fin base 30.8% SL, eye
diameter 23.1% HL, interorbital distance 28.6% HL,
21 gill rakers, 50 vertebrae (24 postanal) and a variegated
brown body with the sensory pores not readily visible.
Aquarium Care: As with most of the
genus, H. variegatus can become a pretty
nasty character in your fish tanks and if housed with
other fish can be lethal. Cichlids such as the Pikes
from the Crenichla genus that can look after
themselves would be the best bet for other tankmates.
If kept with other fish they will have to be able
to look after themselves. Diet:Whilst this catfish is best described as
a predator/carnivore in its natural habitat feedings
of fish, insects, shrimps and other crustaceans, in
captivity this catfish will feed on mussels, prawns,
pieces of fish, earthworms and will even take prepared
foods such as catfish pellets. Etymology:
The genus name Hemibagrus:
Hemi- half; bagrus- from 'bagre',
a South American name for a catfish, but is only used
for African and Asian species. The
specific name variegatus: variegated,
i.e., of different colours, referring to the irregular
dark-brown markings on sides. Remarks:
Very rare in imports.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Bagridae
Distribution:
Asia:
Myanmar (Tenasserim river drainage in the south).
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.