Bagarius bagarius

Bagarius bagarius is a fish in the genus Bagarius found in South and Southeast Asia, known as the devil catfish, dwarf goonch, goonch or sand shark (Bengali: বাঘাইর).

Distribution and habitat

Widely distributed in India, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sumatra, Borneo and Java.

Description

B. bagarius is the smallest species in the genus Bagarius. This fish reaches an average of 200 millimetres (7.9 in). It is a predator with small sharp teeth, and largely lives in groups of 4–6 fish.

Ecology

B. bagarius lives in cool, fast-flowing water, with a pH of 7.2–7.6 and a temperature of 18–23 °C (64–73 °F). The fish is not considered dangerous but deadly attacks on humans are recorded, but not confirmed. Most of the attacks happened in warm water where you don't expect the goonch to be. There have been confirmed sightings of devil catfish eating human corpses after the Indian rituals.

Aquarium

B. bagarius is the only member of the genus suitable for home aquaria. It requires cool, fast-flowing water, and eats bloodworms, shrimp and live or dead fish. Reports exist of very anti-social behaviour amongst these fish in captivity.

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