Sperata

Sperata is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Bagridae. It includes five species, S. acicularis, S. aor, S. aorella, S. sarwari, and S. seenghala.^[1]

Distribution

S. acicularis originates from the Irrawaddy, Bago, and Tenasserim River systems of Myanmar. S. aor inhabits the Ganges River system and peninsular India south to the Cauvery River basin. S. aorella lives in the Ganges River in India and Bangladesh. S. sarwari is found in the Indus River basin. S. seenghala is distributed in the Ganges River system and peninsular India at least as far south as the Krishna River.^[1]

Physical description

S. aor reaches 180 centimetres (71 in) TL.^[2] S. seenghala grows up to 150 cm (59 in) TL.^[3]

Ecology

S. aor is found in rivers, ponds, gullies, lakes, channels, and reservoirs.^[2] S. seenghala is found in rivers, canals, beels, ditches, inundated fields, and other freshwater areas.^[3]

Predatory, Sperata feed on small fishes and worms.^[2] Breeding occurs before the commencement of monsoons.^[3]

Relationship to humans

Sperata are sport fish. S. seenghala fights well and provides good sport.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. (2007). "Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types" (PDF). Zootaxa 1418: 1–628. http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Sperata aor" in FishBase. June 2007 version.
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Sperata seenghala" in FishBase. June 2007 version.