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Scientific NameMystus gulio    (Hamilton, 1822)
Common NamesLong Whiskers Catfish
Langskægget Pigmalle (Denmark)
Type LocalityHigher parts of Gangetic estuaries.
Synonym(s)Aoria gulio, Aspidobagrus gulio, Bagrus albilabris, Bagrus albilabrus, Bagrus gulio, Bagrus schlegelii, Macrones gulio, Pimelodus gulio, Pseudobagrus gulio
Pronunciationmiss tuss
EtymologyThe generic name is probably derived from the Latin mystax, meaning moustache, in reference to the long barbels. It was first used by Scopoli in 1777 making it a very old genus that has included many catfishes from throughout the world at one time or another. Named after the genus, Bagrus, which refers to the Arabic name of a fish.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size460mm or 18.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
IdentificationFishes of the genus Mystus Scopoli are small to medium-sized bagrid catfishes occurring in South Asia. Roberts (1994) recognized Mystus to have an elongate cranial fontanel reaching up to the base of the occipital process, long maxillary barbel, very long adipose fin, 11–30 gill rakers on the first gill arch and 37–46 total vertebrae, about equally divided between abdominal and caudal regions. He included only eight species under the genus. Mo (1991) characterized the genus to have a thin needle-like first infraorbital, twisted and thickened metapterygoid loosely attached to the quadrate by means of ligament or a small extent of cartilage. Jayaram & Sanyal (2003) and Ferraris (2007) respectively listed 44 and 33 species of Mystus as valid.

Fishes of the genus Mystus Scopoli are small to medium-sized bagrid catfishes occurring in South Asia. Roberts (1994) recognized Mystus to have an elongate cranial fontanel reaching up to the base of the occipital process, long maxillary barbel, very long adipose fin, 11–30 gill rakers on the first gill arch and 37–46 total vertebrae, about equally divided between abdominal and caudal regions. He included only eight species under the genus. Mo (1991) characterized the genus to have a thin needle-like first infraorbital, twisted and thickened metapterygoid loosely attached to the quadrate by means of ligament or a small extent of cartilage. Jayaram & Sanyal (2003) and Ferraris (2007) respectively listed 44 and 33 species of Mystus as valid.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
DistributionPrimarily Asia but a handful of species in Africa.
Indian waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category
Least Concern
, a distribution map is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH6.0 - 7.8
Temperature20.0-27.0°C or 68-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other ParametersPrefers brackish water.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
FeedingEasily adapts to a wide variety of frozen and prepared food in the aquarium. May eat very small fish. User data.
Breeding ReportsThere is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
ReferenceAn account of the fishes found in the river Ganges, pp 201, 379, Pl. 23 (fig. 66).
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There are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Look up PlanetCatfish.comLook up M. gulio on PlanetCatfish.com
Look up on FishbaseLook up M. gulio on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of LifeLook up M. gulio on Encyclopedia of Life
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Mystus gulio QR codeLFS label creator
ARN ref:1.8.14.450
Last UpdateThu Nov 03, 2022 9:26 pm (Species record created: Thu Jan 01, 1970 1:00 am)