Goonch (Bagarius bagarius)

Scientific name: Bagarius bagarius Hamilton, 1822

Goonch (Bagarius bagarius)

The Goonch (Bagarius bagarius) is a freshwater fish of the family Sisoridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 18–25°C (64–77°F). Native range: Asia, Ganges, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. Reported from Salween, Maeklong and Peninsular Thailand.

Goonch care at a glance

Temperature
18–25°C (64–77°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14; Vertebrae: 38 - 42. Pelvic-fin origin in front of the base of the last dorsal ray; adipose-fin origin behind the anal-fin origin. Elongate neural spines 4-8, distally expanded abdominal vertebrae 17-20. Absence of sharp ridge on top of head; absence of bumps on dorsal mid-line behind dorsal fin base. Mouth large, inferior and arciform.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Bagarius bagarius
Family
Sisoridae (Sisorid catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
200
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.8; dH range: 12 - 30 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Ganges, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. Reported from Salween, Maeklong and Peninsular Thailand.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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