Hyalobagrus

Taxobox
name = "Hyalobagrus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Bagridae
genus = "Hyalobagrus"
genus_authority = Ng & Kottelat, 1998
binomial = "Hyalobagrus flavus"
binomial_authority = Ng & Kottelat, 1998
binomial2 = "Hyalobagrus leiacanthus"
binomial2_authority = Ng & Kottelat, 1998
binomial3 = "Hyalobagrus ornatus"
binomial3_authority = (Duncker, 1904)

"Hyalobagrus" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Bagridae. It includes three species, "H. flavus", "H. leiacanthus", and "H. ornatus".cite journal|url=http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf|title=Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types|first=Carl J., Jr.|last=Ferraris|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1418|pages=1–628|year=2007|format=PDF]

Distribution

"Hyalobagrus" species are distributed in Asia. "H. flavus" is currently known only from the Batang Hari drainage in Sumatra and the Mentaya River basin in southern Borneo. "H. leiacanthus" is currently known only from the Kapuas River and the Barito River basins in central Borneo. "H. ornatus" originates from the Muar River drainage in the southern Malay Peninsula of Malaysia and Kapuas basin in western Borneo.

Physical description

These catfish species are small and transparent. The three species can be distinguished by differences in body shape, coloration, and the degree of serrations on the anterior edge of the pectoral fin spine. The three species range from about 3–4.4 centimetres (1.2–1.7 in) SL.FishBase species|genus=Hyalobagrus|species=|year=2007|month=June] FishBase species|genus=Hyalobagrus|species=leiacanthus|year=2007|month=June] FishBase species|genus=Hyalobagrus|species=ornatus|year=2007|month=June]

"Hyalobagrus" species are sexually dimorphic, males possess a genital papilla, and gravid females are easy to spot since their blue-green eggs are visible through their bellies.

Ecology

These catfish are mid-water swimmers. They are also schooling fish. "H. flavus" inhabits brown water habitats that are closely associated with blackwater peat swamps. "H. ornatus" also inhabits peat. In the wild, "H. flavus" occur in large shoals, sometimes mixed with other species of shoaling catfish such as "Pseudeutropius brachypopterus" and "P. moolengurghae". In their natural habitat, they are almost always found closely associated with submerged vegetation.

In the aquarium

"H. flavus" and "H. ornatus" are known to be exported for the aquarium trade. "H. flavus" first appeared in the hobby in the 1980s.cite web|url=http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=165|title=PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::November 2004|date=2005-11-10|accessdate=2007-06-19] They seem to do best in a heavily planted tank with tankmates that will not out compete them for food. They are a peaceful, diurnal community species that accept all kinds of foods. None of these species have been bred in captivity.cite journal|url=http://www.catfishstudygroup.org/pdf/catfishes_of_asia1.pdf|title=The Catfishes of Asia Family Bagridae part one|last=Linder|first=R. Shane|journal=Cat Chat|volume=1|issue=1|date=March 2000|format=PDF]

References