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Major catfish (Glyptothorax major) — Sisoridae

Major catfish

Glyptothorax major
Family: Sisoridae

The Major catfish (Glyptothorax major) is a freshwater fish of the family Sisoridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Major catfish is a hillstream catfish (Sisoridae) from fast-flowing fresh water of snelstromende rivieren van Zuid- en Zuidoost-Azie. The species grows to about fast-flowing rivers of South and Southeast Asia cm and has a flattened, grey-brown body with barbels, an inferior mouth and stout dorsal and pectoral spines, adapted to life among stones in flowing water. As a bottom-dweller it searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The sharp fin spines can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Major catfish?

The Major catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Major catfish live?

The Major catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand

How big does the Major catfish get?

The Major catfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Major catfish dangerous to humans?

The Major catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection.

Is the Major catfish edible?

The Major catfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Major catfish sourced
Scientific name
Glyptothorax major
Family
Sisoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Glyptothorax

More from the family Sisoridae

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