Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total):
7; Anal soft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 43. Distinguished
from all other Mystus (indeed, from all other
Asian Bagridae exceptBagrichthys
hypselopterus) by its
extraordinary high dorsal fin, involving great elongation
of the non-serrate dorsal fin spine and first three
or four soft rays. Within Mystus sensu stricto,
mouth relatively narrow. Habitat:
Occur in medium to large-sized rivers. Reproduction:
Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members
of the same family. Aquarium Care:
Can only be kept with the same or larger species as
this bagrid, common with many from this family, can
eat smaller fish. Keep either 3-5 specimens in a large
tank with plants to the background. Substrate should
be sand and provide hiding places with good filtration.
Diet: Adults feed on crustaceans
and benthic invertebrates. Feed Tablet, pellet foods.
Earthworms, live and frozen foods in the aquarium.
Etymology: The genus name Mystus:
"Mystax" meaning whiskered (hair on the
upper lip) Mystus was first used by Belon
in 1553 to describe all fish with whiskers. The specific
name bocourti: in honour of zoologist and
artist Marie Firmin Bocourt (1819-1904), who collected
type and/or sent specimens to Bleeker for his review.
Common
Name:
Hi fin Mystus
Synonyms:
Heterobagrus bocourti,
Prajadhipokia rex
Family:
Bagridae
Distribution:
Asia:
Mekong and Chao Phraya River basins. Type
locality: Siam.
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.