Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Heteropneustidae (Airsac catfishes)
Etymology: Heteropneustes: Greek, heteros = other + Greek, pneo = to breath (Ref. 45335); fuscus: Name from Latin 'fuscus' meaning dark; referring to the lack of colored body and fins of the new species.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Distribution
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Asia: India.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 132393)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 4 - 5; Anal soft rays: 72 - 75; Vertebrae: 58 - 60. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: deep black body and fins; differs from H. fossilis in having a deep black body (vs. chocolate to dark brown color), fins deep black (vs. light brown) and with cephalic fontanel broader and deeper (Ref. 132393).
Cross section: circular.
The species was collected from a stream bed dominated by mud sediments; sand occurs as discrete patches within the mud dominant deposits; depth and width of the area are 0.3-0.7 m and 6.0-7.0 m, respectively; the bank height is 2.0-3.0 m above the water level during summer. This area is also covered by dense to moderate riparian vegetation; intermittent occurrence of low riparian vegetation observed at certain places. Major flora includes Ochreinauclea missionis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Bambusa bambos, B. vulgaris. etc. Associated fish species in the region are the following Haludaria fasciata, Labeo rohita, L. dussumieri, Osteobrama bakeri, Amblypharyngodon microlepis, Rasbora dandia, Dawkinsia filamentosa, Puntius parrah, P. nelsoni, P. viridis, Pethia ticto, Hypselobarbus kurali, Devario malabaricus, Tor khudree, Horabagrus brachysoma, Mystus keralai, Mystus indicus, Wallago attu, Macrognathus albus. It is an economically important catfish in inland capture and culture fisheries. In central Travancore these fishes are caught by gill nets, cast nets, traps and hooks and are sold in large quantities in live condition. Sometimes transported to distant markets, sold alive after several days due to having the air breathing apparatus. Valued as food fish due to its palatability and nutritional quality, and also used as an ornamental fish and found in the aquarium trade (Ref. 132393).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Plamoottil, M., 2021. Heteropneustes fuscus (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae), a new catfish species from Kerala, India. Biodiversitas 23(1):87-98. (Ref. 132393)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5312 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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