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Scientific Name Sperata aor  (Hamilton, 1822)
Common Names Indian Shovelnose Catfish
Long-whiskered Catfish
Type Locality Rivers of Bengal and upper parts of Gangetic estuaries, India.
Synonym(s) Aoria aor, Aorichthys aor, Macrones aor, Mystus aor, Orichthys aor, Pimelodus aor
Pronunciation ss per AT ah - arr
Etymology The genus is named after MA Sperat. The specific epithet is the Bengali name of the fish (aar).
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 1800mm or 70.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Sperata is easily distinguished from other bagrids in having a long, depressed head and (often) a dark spot at the posterior base of the adipose fin.
Sexing Males are more slender and have an elongate genital papilla in front of the anal fin.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and upper Myanmar.
Indian waters, North Eastern India Waters, Padma, Ganges (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH 6.0 - 7.0
Temperature 20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show species within this range)
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Readily feeds on live or frozen foods, smaller fishes, shrimps, and prepared foods such as pellets. User data.
Furniture Provide ample driftwood for shelter.
Compatibility Not suitable with smaller tankmates, as it will eat them. Territorial with conspecifics, so best kept alone.
Breeding Not reported in aquaria.
Spawning is said to occur before the beginning of the southwest monsoon season in India. Individuals spawn at irregular intervals throughout the reproductive season and females can produce more than 1.2 million ova.
It has been suggested that the males incubate the eggs in highly vascularized, spongy skin on the ventral surface of their abdomen and then feed the newly-hatched fry with a milky-white exudate from the abdominal wall.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference An account of the fishes found in the river Ganges, pp 205, 379, Pl. 20 (fig. 68).
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Apr 20 09:16 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)