Description:
A recent study by Ng (2002) recognized two distinct
species in the material generally identified as M.
nigriceps: one in Java and the other in Sumatra,
the Malay Peninsula, and northern and western Borneo.
Ng restricted M. nigriceps for the Javanese
species and described the other as Mystus castaneus.
Habitat: In Kapuas Lakes area in
Kalimantan Barat Indonesia, fishermen reported that
this species breeds 2 or 3 times in a year. Reproduction:
Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members
of the same family. 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 castaneus: chestnut
brown, referring to colour of body and dorsal surface
of head.
Common
Name:
Pearl Catfish
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Bagridae
Distribution:
Asia:
Central Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. Type
locality: Borneo: Sarawak, Serian market,
from Sungai Sadong.
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