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Dr. Mathews Plamoottil (3)

Abstract: Heteropneustes fuscus (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae), a new catfish species from Kerala, India. Biodiversitas 22: 87-98. Heteropneustes fuscus, a new catfish species, is described from Kerala, India; it is a close congener of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) described from Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu. Heteropneustes fuscus has been misidentified as H. fossilis until now, but it differs from Bloch's species in colour and many other rigid taxonomic variables. The new species can be distinguished from its relative species in the following combination of characters: deep black body and fins, 4-5 branched dorsal-fin soft rays, 72-75 anal fin rays, 58-60 total vertebrae, 26-32 total gill rakers; deeper and wider body; deeper caudal peduncle; greater pre occipital and post occipital distances and longer anal fin. The new fish is edible and found in freshwater rivers, streams, ponds and paddy fields in Kerala. It is also cultivated in some artificial impoundments. Heteropneustes fuscus is compared with its congeners, scientifically named and taxonomically described, (Plamoottil, 2021). Reproduction: Breeds in confined waters during the monsoon months, but can breed in ponds, derelict ponds and ditches when sufficient  rain-water accumulates. Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family. Aquarium Care: Apart from giving it the utmost respect when handling, it does very well in a larger aquarium, and you can either keep it alone with other inhabitants that are too big for its mouth (large Barbs, Cichlids etc.) or in a group situation if you would like the challenge of breeding them. A sand substrate is best with hiding places of rock and cave work and making sure that it has plenty of swimming space, as they do like to cruise the tank during the night time hours. Keep your regular water changes up with good filtration as they are a greedy species, and can make a mess of your aquarium if good husbandry is not adhered to. Diet: Omnivorous. Etymology: The specific name fuscus: Taken from Latin (fuscus meaning-dark); it refers to the black coloured body and fins of the new species. Update 2021: The genus Heteropneustes has now been removed from the Clariidae family and reinstated to the Heteropneustidae Hora, 1936 and H. microps has been deemed to be a synonym of H. fossilis.

Travancore Black Stinging Catfish

None

Heteropneustidae

Asia: Peninsular India: Kerala.

23.0cm. (9ins)

21-25°C (69-77°F)

6.0-8.0.

Plamoottil, Mathews 2021 Heteropneustes fuscus (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae), a new catfish species from Kerala, India. Biodiversitas Volume 23, Number 1, January 2022, Pages: 87-98.