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or our first factsheet of the new decade we travel to the Indian sub continent and a visit to the Sisoridae family and to the Gagata genera with Gagata cenia as out first venture into the 2020's. Also known by its common name of the "Clown Catfish" this is a handsome catfish and a veer away from the usual "grey" bodied species that we are so used to seeing from the Siluriformes.

Gagata cenia

Identifying features are of course the large eyes and the black and gold markings especially on the caudal fin where the black patch on each caudal lobe is a strong identifying factor. In its natural habitat Gagata cenia inhabits large rivers with a sandy/muddy bottom.

Gagata cenia

If acquiring this catfish you should note their condition because if they are not fed correctly in your local fish shop they will look thin and it will be hard to bring them around although feeding live or frozen bloodworm and brineshrimp rather than flakes should be the norm. This is not the easiest fish to keep and acclimatise and it is not for the inexperienced fishkeeper as they can be quite emaciated when imported.

Clown Catfish

Pimelodus cenia

Sisorinae

Asia: Widely distributed in the Ganges basin, the Indus River system, and the Mahanadi  River.

12cm. (4¾ins)

20-24°c (67-75°f.)

6.0-7.2.

D.11, 6 (rarely 7); P. 1, 8 (rarely 9); V.i, 5; A. iv-v, 9-11. C. 17-19. Upper jaw and palate without teeth; lower jaw with a few small conical teeth in pocket or depression near symphysis. Four pairs of barbels; maxillary with stiff basal portion, shorter than head, nasal barbels very small, separating the nostrils in the form of a flap; mandibular barbels in a transverse row often with 2 finger like processes in the mid ventral line between base of the barbels. Rayed dorsal fin inserted above half of pectoral fin, spine strong, finely serrated along outer edge distal portion, serrated internally also. Adipose fin well separated from rayed dorsal and caudal fins. Pectoral fin not reaching pelvics, spine strong, denticulated along inner edge and serrated along distal half of outer edge. Pelvic fin not reaching anal origin. Anal fin not reaching caudal flexure. Caudal fin deeply forked, upper lobe slightly longer.

Dorsum of body with dark saddles extending ventrally only to lateral line. Caudal fin with transverse black bar across peduncle and round or square black spot on middle of each lobe. Dorsal fin with black spot on distal part of anterior rays.

This is a peaceful species which would be better kept in a group of about 6 specimens with plenty of swimming space. Provide good filtration and aeration as this species is not the easiest to keep in the aquarium. Provide a sand substrate with plants as an option. Other species that like a strong filtration and cooler water such as the Danio genera.

Not recorded

Not recorded

Live, frozen and tablet foods.

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Maxillary: Pertaining to the upper jaw. (maxillary barbels).
Nasal: Top of the head, by the nostrils. (nasal barbels).
Pectoral fins: The paired fins just behind the head.
Pelvic fin: The paired fins, between the pectorals and the anal fins. (also referred to as ventrals).
Symphysis: The point of articulation of two bones in the median plane of the body; the median part or junction of the two halves of the jaws.

Gagata: Local fish name, kenyakatta, in Bengal.

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl, 1991. Aquarien atlas. Bd. 3. Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur-und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 1104 p.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2011. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version.
Jayaram. K.C. 2006, Catfishes of India. Narendera Publishing House. 383p.
Roberts, T.R. and C.J. Ferraris Jr., 1998. Review of South Asian sisorid catfish genera Gagata and Nangra, with descriptions of a new genus and five new species. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 50(14):315-345.
Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran, 1991. Inland fishes of India and adjacent countries. Volume 2. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam.

Photo Credits

Top Image: Author
Second Image: © 
Map: www.britannica.com