Taxonomic Notes on Catfishes of Travancore...JZBR - Copy

Available online at www.journalzbr.com 

ISSN No: 2349-2856 

Journal of Zoological and Bioscience 

Research, 2015, 2, 3:6-17 

<strong>Taxonomic</strong> notes on the catfishes of central Travancore of Kerala, India 

Mathews Plamoottil 

Asst. Professor in Zoology, Baby John Memorial Government College, Chavara, Kerala 

Correspondence email: mathewsplamoottil@gmail.com 

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ABSTRACT 

The present study was conducted to analyze the taxonomic details of catfishes occurring in water bodies of central 

Travancore of Kerala, India. Catfishes collected from different stations of various aquatic bodies of Travancore; 21 

species of fishes belong to the genera Batasio, Horabagrus, Pangasinodon, Mystus, Ompok, Wallago, 

Pseudotropius, Glyptothorax, Clarias, Heteropneustes and Arius were collected from various locations. They were 

undergone detailed taxonomic studies. 

Keywords: Freshwater fishes, Silurids, Taxonomy, Meristic counts, Metric characters. 

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INTRODUCTION 

The catfishes, belong to an unusually well defined order Siluriformes, constitute 1/3 of the freshwater fish fauna of 

the globe. Most of them occur in abundant numbers and are the second or third fishes of abundance in India. Many 

scientists have showed much interest in the study of phylogeny and taxonomy of catfishes. The publication of five 

volumes on Catfishes of the world by Davis Sands is of interest to aquarists all over the world. The studies by 

Bornbush [1], Ferraris and Pinna [2] and Ferraris [3] on Siluridae, Mo [4] on Bagridae and de Pinna [5] [6] on 

Sisoridae are much relevant. <strong>Taxonomic</strong> works on catfishes of India by Misra[7], Jayaram & Sanyal [8] and 

Jayaram [9] are authentic books indispensable for any student of ichthyology. 

Batasio, Horabagrus, Mystus, Ompok, Glyptothorax, Clarias, Horaglanis, Heteropneustes, Pseudeutropius, Silurus 

and Wallago are the catfish genera residing in the water bodies of Kerala. From the literature it was understood that 

no detailed taxonomic works has been conducted on catfish resources of Central Travancore of Kerala, India. So it 

was an endeavor to study the taxonomy of catfishes of Travancore. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Different species of catfishes were collected from selected stations of central Travancore using different types of 

gears such as gill net, cast net, madavala, vattavala etc. Selection of these gears is based on its fishing efficiency in a 

running water body. Collected fishes were cleaned with water and kept in 10% formalin. After fixation they were 

taken out, identified and taxonomically analyzed. 

Abbreviations Used:D-Dorsal fin rays; A- Anal fin rays; V- Ventral fin rays; P-Pectoral fin rays; C- Caudal fin 

rays; TL- Total length; SL- Standard length; HL- Head length; BD / BDD- Body depth at rayed dorsal fin; BDA- 

Body depth at anal fin; BDAD- Body depth at adipose dorsal fin; BWAD- Body width at adipose dorsal fin; BWD- 

Body width at dorsal fin; BWA- Body width at anal fin; HD- Head depth; PRD- Pre dorsal length; POD- Post dorsal 

length; PRP-Pre pectoral length; PRPL- Pre pelvic length; PRA-Pre anal length; LRD- Length of rayed dorsal fin; 

LBRD-Length of base of rayed dorsal fin; LBAD-Length of base of adipose dorsal fin; LBA-Length of base of anal 

fin; LP-Length of pectoral fin; LDSP- Length of dorsal spine; LPSP-Length of pectoral spine; LPL-Length of pelvic 

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Mathews Plamoottil J. Zool. Biosci. Res., 2015, 2 (3):6-17 

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fin; LCP-Length of caudal peduncle; DCP-Depth of caudal peduncle; WCP- Width of caudal fin; LA-Length of anal 

fin; LAD-Length (height) of adipose dorsal fin; LBPL- Length of base of pelvic fin; LBP-Length of base of pectoral 

fin; DAV- Distance from anal to vent; DVV- Distance from ventral to vent; DRD & AD- Distance from rayed dorsal 

to adipose dorsal fin; DP-PL- Distance from pectoral to pelvic; DPL-A- Distance from pelvic to anal; DA- C- 

Distance from anal to caudal; LATA- length of adhesive thoracic apparatus; WATA- Width of adhesive thoracic 

apparatus; LUCL- Length of upper caudal lobe; LLCL- Length of lower caudal lobe; ; DO- ST-Distance from 

occiput to snout; DO-D- Distance from occiput to dorsal fin; HW- Head width; ED- Eye diameter; IOW-Inter orbital 

width; INW- Inter narial width; STL-Snout length; WGM- Width of gape of mouth; LMB-Length of maxillary 

barbels; LNB-length of nasal barbels; LOMB-Length of outer mandibular barbels; LIMB-Length of inner 

mandibular barbels. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Twenty one species of catfishes were collected from various selected sites of Travancore during 2010- 2012 (Table 

1 & Fig. 1 – 20). Of different species of fishes collected, species of genus Mystus outnumbered all others. Seven 

new catfishes were discovered, named and described during this study; they belong to the genera Batasio, 

Horabagrus, Mystus and Glyptothorax. Culturable fishes are Pangasinodon hypothalamus, Clarius gariepinus, 

Wallago attu and Heteropneustes fossilis. The first two are exotic. Arius subrostratus is an estuarine fish might 

have been ascended from Vembanad Lake. All the fishes except Batasio travancoria, B. flavus and Glyptothorax 

elankadensis are edible. 

Batasiotravancoria Hora and Law 

Fig. 1.Batasio travancoria 

Fig. 2.Batasio flavus 

Batasio travancoria Hora & Law, 1941, Rec. Indian Mus. 43 (1): 40 (type locality: Perumthenaruvi, tributary of 

Pamba River at Edakadathy, Kerala). 

Diagnosis: Body with a narrow dark streak along lateral line; a triangular spot present at the caudal peduncle. Many 

pores and skin folding present on the head region. Barbels not extending beyond eyes; a distinct depression, shaded 

by a bluish black color present on humeral region; a black line present in between humeral and caudal blotches. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; A- 12; V-I, 5; P-I, 7; C-16. 

Metric Characters: TL (mm)- 86.0; SL (mm)- 70.0; HL (mm)- 16.0.% SL: BD- 20.0; HL- 22.9; HD-17.1; PRD- 

38.6; POD- 65.7; PRP-50.0; PRA-74.3; LD-14.3; LBRD-12.8; LBAD- 28.6; LBA-15.7; LP-12.8; LPL-14.3; LCP- 

15.7; DCP-12.1; LA-8.6; LAD-1.4; LBPL- 4.3; LBP- 4.3. % HL: HD- 75.0; ED- 15.6; IOW- 37.5; STL- 43.8; 

LMB- 43.8; LNB- 25.0; LOMB-18.8; LIMB-9.4. 

Other features: Live fishes have a dark pink color; ventral side yellowish white; ventro lateral side of the body has 

minute distinct black spots; all fins, except ventral, have a moderate dark shade. Pectoral spine deeply serrated 

behind; its outer side granulated or only very finely serrated; caudal lobes have unequal length. Adipose dorsal 

present on a thin long ridge; its length of base greatly longer compared to all other fins. 


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Table 1.Synonyms. systematic position and common names of the catfishes of Central Travancore 

Sl. 

No. 

Name of Species Synonyms Order Family Common 

Name 

1 Batasio travancoria Nil Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

Travancore 

Batasio 

2 Batasio flavus Nil Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Yelow Batasio 

Bagrinae 

3 Horabagrus 

brachysoma 

Siluriformes 

Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

Gunther’s 

catfish 

Pseudobagrus brachysoma 

Pseudobagrus chryseus 

Macrones chryseus 

4 Horabagrus 

melanosoma 

Siluriformes 

Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

5 Pangasinodon 

Nil Siluriformes Pangasidae 

hypothalamus 

6 Mystus oculatus Bagrus oculatus 

Siluriformes 

Bagridae, 

Macrones oculatus 

Bagrinae 

7 Mystus gulio Pimelodus gulio 

Siluriformes 

Bagridae, 

Macrones gulio 

Bagrinae 

8 Mystus keralai Nil Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

9 Mystus heoki Nil Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

10 Mystus menoni Nil Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

11 Mystus indicus Nil Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

Black 

Horabagrus 

Malabar Mystus 

Longwhiskered 

catfish, 

Shadow cat fish 

Longwhiskered 

Kerala catfish 

Elongated 

Kerala Mystus 

Idukki Mystus 

Central 

Travancore 

catfish 

Nil 

12 Mystus canarensis Hara malabarica Siluriformes Bagridae, 

Bagrinae 

13 Ompok malabaricus Silurus malabaricus 

Siluriformes Siluridae Goan catfish 

Callichrous malabaricus 

Silurus goae 

14 Ompok bimaculatus Silurus bimaculatus 

Siluriformes Siluridae Indian butter 

Callichrous bimaculatus 

catfish 

Callichrousmacrophthalmus 

Ompokcanio 

Ompoksindensis 

15 Wallago attu Silurus attu 

Wallagonia attu 

W. attu valeya 

16 Pseudotropius 

mitchelli 

17 Glyptothorax 

elankadensis 

Siluriformes Siluridae Boal, 

Freshwater 

shark, 

Shark catfish 

Malabar Patashi 

Pseudotropius sykesii Siluriformes Schilbeidae 

Schilbeinae 

Nil Siluriformes Sisoridae Travancore rock 

catfish 

18 Clarius dussumeiri Nil Siluriformes Clariidae Valenciennes’ 

clariid 

19 Clarius garipinus Nil Siluriformes Clariidae Burchell’s 

clariid 

20 Arius subrostratus Pimelodus arius 

Siluriformes Aridae Treadfin catfish 

Arius buchanani 

Tachysurus arius 

21 Heteropneustes fossilis Silurus fossilis 

Sacchobranchus fossilis 

Siluriformes Heteropneustidae Stinging catfish 

Batasio flavus Plamoottil 

Batasioflavus,Plamoottil, 2015, Journal of Research in Biology, 5 (5): 1799- 1808 (Type locality: Paduthode, 

Manimala River, Kerala, India) 

Diagnosis: It can be distinguished from its congeners in having a slender (BDD 16.0-18.0 % SL) body; flatter (HD 

53.0-57.1 % SL) head; occipital process very small and hidden under skin; orbits widely set (IOW 27.0-31.3 % HL); 


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dorsal profile nearly straight; single median longitudinal groove on head; adipose dorsal fin with a straight margin 

for entire length and inserted behind a considerable distance from rayed dorsal fin. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; A- iv, 9- 10; V-5; P-I, 7- 8; C-17. 

Metric Characters: TL (mm)- 82.0-106.0; SL (mm)- 69.0-88.0; HL (mm)- 16.0-21.0. % SL: BD- 16.0-18.0; HL- 

21.0-23.8; HD- 11.1- 13.6; PRD- 32.6-35.8; POD-63.0-65.2; PRP-21.7-23.9: PRA-65.0-68.0; LRD-13.6-17.6; 

LBRD-13.1-14.5; LBAD-25.0-29.0; LBA-14.2-16.0; LP-14.8-17.3; LPL-12.3-14.8; LCP- 17.2-21.7; DCP-8.6-11.6; 

LA-11.1-12.5; LAD-3.0- 5.0; LBPL- 3.3-4.1; LBP-3.6-4.3. 

Other Features: Body and fins yellow; a small brownish black triangular spot present in front of rayed dorsal fin 

base; a triangular dark or light brownish black spot present on caudal base. A thin brownish black line passes 

through mid lateral line. 

Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther) 

Pseudobagrus brachysoma Gunther, 1864, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. 5: 86 (type locality: “Cochin China” lapsuscalami 

for Cochin). 

Diagnosis: occipital process extends to pre dorsal plate; mouth sub terminal; a large round blotch present at the 

branchial region. Maxillary barbels extend to pectoral fin base; rayed dorsal fin with a strong, feebly serrated spine; 

adipose dorsal fin is short and low. 

Fig. 3.Horbagrus brachysoma; 

Fig. 4.Horbagrus melanosoma 

Meristic charaters: D- I, 6-7; P- I, 8-9; V- I, 5; A- III, 20- 25. C- 17. 

Metric characters: TL (mm) - 214.0; SL (mm)- 175.0.% SL: HL- 28.4; HD- 17.4; HW- 20.9; BD- 22.7; PRD- 37.2; 

POD- 60.5; PRP- 23.5; PRA- 63.1; PRPL- 52.0; LRD- 20.6; LBRD- 9.5; LBAD- 4.4; LBA- 24.6; LP- 20.0; LPL- 

11.5; DCP- 12.0; LCP- 12.5; LA- 12.6; LAD- 7.4; LBPL- 4.1; LBP- 4.9. % HL: HD- 61.4; HW- 73.6; ED- 18.7; 

IOW- 53.9; INW- 32.6; STL- 40.2; WGM- 48.8; LMB- 70.5; LNB- 59.3; LOMB- 65.2; LIMB- 47.6. 

Other features: Color dark greenish above with golden yellow flanks; dorsal and anal fins yellowish orange; caudal 

fin yellow; a semi lunar thick black patch present at the caudal fin base. 

Horabagrus melanosoma Plamoottil & Abraham 

Horabagrus melanosoma, Plamoottil& Abraham, 2013, Int.J. Pure Appl. Zool, 1 (4): 280-288 (Type locality: West 

Venpala). 

Diagnosis: Color black to grayish black, fins grey to black, pelvic fin does not reach anal fin and the latter with iii, 

28- 30 rays. Lengths of head, dorsal fin, dorsal spine and pectoral spine shorter compared to the congeners. 

Meristic counts: D- II, 6; P- I, 7-8; V- i, 5; A- iii, 28- 30; C- 17. 


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Metric characters: TL ( mm)- 124.0-282.0; SL (mm)- 96.0-235.0. % SL: HL-21.9- 27.6; BDD-18.8- 24.0; PRD- 

32.7-37.0; POD-60.7- 71.4; PRP- 21.9- 24.1; PRA- 60.2-64.7; PRPL- 45.2- 51.1; LRD- 16.2-19.5; LBRD- 7.7- 8.4; 

LBAD- 3.8- 4.5; LBA- 23.1- 25.6; LP- 15.7- 20.1; DCP- 9.8- 10.6; LCP-8.7- 13.0; LA- 8.9- 11.0; LAD- 7.5- 8.0. % 

HL: HD- 59.2- 80.0; HW-75.0- 102; ED-16.7-22.2; IOW-53.0- 66.7; STL-35.2- 45.6; WGM-46.3- 57.8; LMB-51.8- 

77.8; LNB-46.6- 55.6; LOMB-62.1- 77.8; LIMB- 41.4- 53.4. 

Remarks 

It is the third species of Horabagrus discovered from Kerala; it is an edible fish endemic to Kerala. 

Pangasinodon hypothalamus (Sauvage) 

Helicophagus hypophthalmus, Sauvage, H.-E. 1878. Bulletin de la Sociétéphilomathique de Paris (7th Séries) v. 2: 

233-242. 

Diagnosis: Head dorso- ventrally flattened; rest of the body laterally compressed; pelvic fins with 8 rays; maxillaries 

and mandibulars short; maxillaries never reach base of pectoral or outermost part of opercle. 

Fig. 5. Pangsinodon hypothalamus 

Fig. 6. Mystus oculatus 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, i, 9; V- i, 7; A - iv, 29; C- 18. 

Metric characters: SL (mm)- 375.0; HL (mm) – 100.% SL:HL- 26.7; BDD- 40.0; BDA-34.7; BWD-18.7; BWA- 

13.3; PRD-37.9; POD-61.3; PRP- 22.9; PRPL-49.3; PRA-61.3; LAD- 5.6; LPL-12.3; LA-12.0; LBRD-7.2; LBA- 

29.1; LBP- 5.1; LBPL-5.9; LCP- 13.3; DCP-13.1; WCP- 6.1; DAV-1.1; DVV-9.8.% HL: HD- 65.0; HW- 58.0; 

ED- 10.0; IOW- 55.0; STL- 35.0; LMB- 32.0; LOMB- 19.0. 

Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes) 

Bagrus oculatus Valenciennes, 1839, IN Cuvier &Valenciennes Hist. Nat. Poiss. 14: 434 (type locality: ‘Cote 

de’(Kuttiadi), Malabar). 

Diagnosis: Occipital process extends to basal bone of dorsal fin; median longitudinal groove on head extends to base 

of occipital process; maxillary barbels extend to middle of anal fin; a dark spot is present at the origin of the dorsal 

fin. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; A- iii- iv, 8-9; P- I, 6; V- i, 5. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 10.2; SL (mm)- 7.8; HL (mm)- 18.0.% SL: BDD- 23.1; HL-23.1; HD-21.8; PRD-38.5; 

POD-64.1; PRP-50.0; PRA- 69.2; LD-24.4; LBRD-16.7; LBAD-14.1; LBA-12.8; LP- 19.2; LPL-15.4; DCP-10.3; 

LCP-10.3; LA-14.1; LAD- 12.8; LBPL- 3.8; LBP- 3.8. 

% HL: HD- 94.4; ED-16.7; IOW-41.7; STL-30.6. 

Other features: Silvery or yellowish on the flanks and darker on the dorsal region; abdomen whitish. Adipose dorsal 

fin base short; inter dorsal distance about 1.2 times in adipose dorsal fin base. 


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Mystus gulio (Hamilton- Buchanan) 

Pimelodus gulio Hamilton- Buchanan, 1822, Fish of Ganges: 201 (type locality: Upper parts of Gangetic Provinces). 

Diagnosis: Occipital process extends to the basal bone of dorsal fin; median longitudinal groove does not extend to 

the occipital process. Maxillary barbels extend to end of pelvic fins. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 8-9; V- i, 5; A- iii- iv, 9-11; C - 17. 

Fig. 7. Mystus gulio; 

Fig. 8. Mystus keralai 

Metric characters- TL (mm)- 156.0; SL (mm)- 125.0. % SL: HL- 27.6; HD- 17.8; HW- 21.8; BDD- 21.8; BDA- 

18.9; BWD- 19.9; BWA-11.1; PRD-36.8; POD-64.1; PRP-24.7; PRPL-52.2; PRA-67.2; LRD- 21.3; LP- 18.4; LPL- 

12.7; LA- 16.0; LBSOD- 11.4; LBA- 11.0; LBP-5.1; LBPL- 4.0; LCP-15.7; DCP-11.1; WCP-5.3. . % HL: ED- 

15.55- 18.95; IOW-40- 43.90; INW--21.40- 24.77; STL-35- 39.63; WGM-36.58- 44.44. 

Other features: Body dark on the flanks and above; dull white below; fins black. Dorsal spine strong, serrated on its 

inner edge; adipose fin small, inserted considerably behind rayed dorsal fin; least height of caudal peduncle equals 

its length. 

Mystus keralai Plamoottil & Abraham 

Mystus keralai, Plamoottil& Abraham, 2014, Int.J. Pure Appl. Zool., 2 (3): 231- 240 (Type locality: Chenapady, 

Manimala River, Kerala). 

Diagnosis: Mystus keralai differs from its relative species in having an elongated, wider but less deep head, smaller 

eyes, deeper anterior part of frontal groove, longer adipose dorsal fin and pectoral spine, weaker pectoral spine and 

longer base of rayed dorsal fin base. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 8; V-i, 5; A- iv, 9; C- 15. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)-72-78; SL (mm)- 58-59. % SL: HL-27.1- 27.6; HD-18.1- 18.9; HW-18.1- 18.9; BDD- 

21.0- 22.4; BDA-18.6- 18.9; BWD-15.8- 17.0; BWA-10.3- 11.2; PRD-36.2- 38.9; POD-67.2- 67.8; PRPL-48.3- 

54.2; LRD- 22.4- 23.7; LC-29.8- 32.2. % HL: ED-21.9- 25.0; IOW-34.3- 34.4; INW-20.0- 25.0; STL-37.5; WGM- 

37.5-45.0. 

Mystus heoki Plamoottil& Abraham 

Mystus heoki, Plamoottil& Abraham, Biosystematica, 2013: 7(1): 43-58 (Type locality: Elankadu, Idukki Dt, Kerala, 

India). 


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Fig. 9.Mystus heoki. 

Fig. 10. Mystus menoni 

Diagnosis: The new species can be differentiated from all its congeners in having a markedly elongated body, 

shorter head, smaller eyes, shorter rayed dorsal fin and shorter pectoral fin. 

Meristic counts: D- II, 7; P- I, 7; V- i, 5; A- ii- iii, 8; C-15. 

Metric characters: TL (mm) - 105.5- 167.0; SL (mm)-85.5- 137.0.% SL: HL-18.9- 22.5; HD-10.9- 12.5; HW-14.8- 

17.4; BDD-15.0- 16.9; BDA-13.3- 16.4; BWD- 12.5- 15.2; PRD-31.7- 34.2; POD-59.7- 67.2; PRPL-43.3- 45.9; 

LRD-14.3- 15.4; LC-22.7- 24.5.% HL: ED- 16.7- 20.4; IOW-32.4- 38.6; STL- 36.4- 41.7; WGM- 41.7- 48.7. 

Mystus menoni Plamoottil & Abraham 

Mystus menoni Plamoottil & Abraham, Int. J. Pure Appl. Zool., 2013, 1(4): 315-325 (type locality: Elankadu, 

Manimala River, Kerala, India). 

Diagnosis: Mystus menoni can be diagnosed from all its congeners in having an elongated snout, widely set eyes, 

short inter dorsal distance and a thick bluish green band present in the mid lateral line. 

Meristic counts: D- II, 7; P- I, 7; V- I, 5; A- iii, 8; C- 15- 17. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)-128.5- 139.0; SL (mm)-101.0- 109.0.% SL: HL-22.9- 24.3; HD-13.9- 15.7; HW-17.8- 

18.4; BDD-21.1- 23.6; BDA-16.8-18.8; BWD-17.3- 19.6; PRD- 33.0- 36.9; POD-59.8- 67.9; PRPL-46.3- 51.4; 

LRD-16.7- 20.8.% HL: ED-22.9- 25.0; IOW-36.0- 40.4; STL- 34.6- 41.7; WGM-42.3- 50.0 

Mystus indicus Plamoottil & Abraham 

Mystus indicus, Plamoottil & Abraham, Biosystematica,2013: 7(1): 43-58 (type locality: Kuttoor, Manimala River, 

Kerala, India). 

Fig. 11.Mystus indicus. 

Fig. 12.Mystus canarensis 


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Diagnosis: The new species can be differentiated from its congeners in having an elongated snout, a thick layer of 

flesh present on both sides of occipital process, pectoral spine with more teeth, greater pre pelvic length, rayed 

dorsal fin base prominently swollen on both sides and wide caudal peduncle. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 6-8; V-i, 5; A- iii, 7-8; C- 15-17. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)-102.5-136.0; SL (mm)- 81.0-107.0.% SL: HL-22.4-26.0; HD-14.4-16.2; HW-16.7-20.2; 

BDD-18.8- 25.3; BDA-17.8- 21.2; BWD-16.7-19.2; PRD-30.8-36.0; POD-64.5-70.8; PRPL-50.6-55.5; LRD-15.8- 

21.8.% HL: ED-24.0- 29.2; IOW-36.3- 45.0; STL-36.2- 42.5; WGM-34.8- 40.9. 

Mystus canarensis (Grant) 

Mystus canarensis Grant, S. 1999, Aqua. J. Ichthyol.& Aquatic Biol, 3 (4): 169- 174. 

Diagnosis: A prominent dark brown spot present on the humeral region; length of base of adipose dorsal fin fairly 

short; caudal fin lobes overlap each other; pectoral fin with 9 branched rays and caudal fin with 18 rays. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 9; V-i, 5; A- iii, 8; C-18. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)-107.0- 126.0; SL (mm)- 87.0-101.0.% SL: HL-22.8-24.3; HD-11.2-13.0; HW-15.0- 

17.8; BDD-17.2-20.8; BDA-16.6-18.1; BWD-14.7-16.8; PRD-36.2-38.1; POD- 62.0-65.8; PRPL-48.7-49.7; LRD- 

15.8-17.8.% HL: ED-20.4-27.5; IOW-30.2-35.0; STL-31.7- 36.3; WGM-39.0- 40.8. 

Ompok malabaricus (Valenciennes) 

Silurus malabaricus Valenciennes IN Cuvier &Valenciennes, 1839, Hist. Nat. Poiss. 14: 353 (type locality: 

Malabar). 

Diagnosis: Mouth somewhat oblique and its gape wide; maxillary barbels extend beyond pelvic fin origin; 

mandibular barbels extending posteriorly no farther than hind border of eye; pectoral spine strong, serrated on its 

inner edge. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 3; P- I, 11- 12; V- i, 7; A- iii, 63- 69. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 179.0; SL (mm)- 161.0. % SL: HL- 18.6; HD-14.3; HW-11.8; BDD- 19.8; BDA-19.2; 

BWD-13.0; BWA- 11.8; PRD-27.3; POD-59.6; PRP-20.5; PRPL-33.0; PRA-34.8; LP-11.2; LPL- 5.6; LA-11.2; 

LBP- 5.0; LBPL-2.5; LC- 11.2; DP-PL-15.0; DPL-A- 5.6; ED- 2.2; IOW-9.3; INW-6.2; STL-6.8; WGM-11.8. 

Fig. 13.Ompok malabaricus 

Fig. 14.Ompok bimaculatus 

Other features: Teeth in broad villiform bands on jaws medially interrupted; teeth on vomer in two large, crescentshaped 

patches, separated from each other by a distance equal to half length of one patch. Colour: Grayish brown 

shot with purple, which becomes paler yellow; the membrane of fin elements mottled with minute black dots. 

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) 

Silurus bimaculatus Bloch, 1797, Nat. Hist. Poiss. 17 (2) (type locality: Malabar). 


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Diagnosis: Lower border of eyes on the level of edge of mouth; anal fin not confluent with caudal fin; the latter is 

forked with round lobes; a black humeral blotch present. 

Meristic counts: D- 4; P- I, 9; V- I, 6; A- 64; C-14. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 119.0; SL (mm)- 105.0. % SL: HL- 22.4; HD-15.2; HW-12.4; BDD-20.2; BWD-9.5; 

PRD-36.2; POD- 68.6; PRP-21.4; PRPL- 30.5; PRA- 39.5; LP- 14.8; LPL-7.6; LA-7.1; LBP-4.8; LBPL-1.1; LC- 

13.3; DP- PL-11.0; DPL-A- 9.0; IOW-9.0; STL- 9.0; WGM- 1 1.2. 

Other features: Lateral line complete, extending from head to tail; various small grooves present on the ventral 

region of head. Maxillary barbels extend to the base of pectoral fin; a diffused black spot present on the lowest part 

of pectorals; pelvic fin extend to anal fin origin and a little longer; no space between anal and caudal fin. 

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider) 

Silurus attu Blotch &Scheiner, Syst. Ichthyol. 378 (type locality: Malabar). 

Diagnosis: Mouth is oblique and cleft of mouth extends beyond the orbit. Maxillaries extend well beyond origin of 

anal fin; pectoral spine weak, poorly serrated on its inner edge. Caudal fin deeply forked and its upper lobe longer. 

Fig. 15.Wallago attu 

Fig. 16. Pseudotropius mitchelli 

Meristic counts: D- 5; P- I, 13- 15; V-i, 7- 9; A-iii, 74- 93. 

Metric characters: TL- 303.0; SL- 270.0; HL- 5.9.% SL: HL-21.8; HD-14.1; HW-11.8; BDD-16.3; BDA-14.4; 

BWD-9.6; PRD-27.4; POD-68.5; PRP-20.4; PRPL-33.0; PRA-40.7; LD-14.8; LP-14.8; LPL-7.0; LA-3.0; LC-11.0; 

LBD-1.5; LBP-3.3; LBPL-2.6; LBA-57.4; LBC-4.4; LCP-1.8; DCP-4.4; WCP-1.1; DP- PL-14.1; DPL-A-7.4; DA- 

C-59.3; LUCL-12.2; LLCL-9.6; DO- ST-14.1; DO-D-16.0.% HL: HD- 64.4; HW-54.2; ED-11.8; IOW-44.1; INW- 

20.3; WGM-47.5. 

Pseudeutropius mitchelli Gunther 

Pseudeutropius mitchelli Gunther, 1864, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. 5: 59 (type locality: Madras presidency). 

Diagnosis: Maxillaries extend to middle of pelvic fin; adipose dorsal fin very small and located far back on the 

body; body height at dorsal origin 5.7- 6.2 in SL. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 6-7; P- I, 8-9; V- i, 5; A- 37; C- 16-18. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 125.0; SL (mm)- 106.0; HL (mm)- 20.0.% SL: HL-18.8; HD-12.3; HW-11.3; BDD- 

16.0; BDAD-11.3; BWD-11.3; BWAD-7.5; PRD-25.5; POD-72.6; PRP-18.8; PRPL-37.8; PRA-48.1; LRD-14.2; 

LAD-4.7; LP- 12.3; LPL-7.5; LA-9.4; LDSP-11.2; LPSP-10.4; LBRD-7.5; LBAD-0.9; LBP-2.8; LBPL- 2.8; LBA- 

35.0; DP-PL-17.9; DPL- A- 10.4; LCP-14.2; DCP-8.5; WCP-2.8; DRD & AD-44.3; LMB-38.7; LNB- 2.8; LOMB- 

18.8; LIMB- 18.8; LUCL- 18.8; LLCL-17.0.% HL: HD-65.0; HW-60.0; ED-30.0; IOW-40.0; INW-20.0; STL-35.0; 

WGM-30.0. 


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Glyptothorax elankadensis Plamoottil & Abraham 

Glyptothorax elankadensis, Plamoottil, M. & Abraham, N. P, 2012, Biosystematica, 6 (2): 17- 25 (type locality: 

Elankadu, Idukki dt, Kerala). 

Fig. 17. Glyptothorax elankadensis 

Fig. 18. Heteropneustes fossilis 

Diagnosis: A round yellowish spot in between eyes. Median fontanel on the dorsal side of the head very faint and 

indistinct. Occipital process does not reach basal bone of dorsal fin. Eyes very minute. 

Meristic counts: D- iii, 4-6; P- i, 8- 10; . V- i, 5; A- i-iii, 7-10; C- 17. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 124- 137; SL (mm)- 101- 115; HL (mm)- 25.0- 26.0.% SL: HL- 22.6- 24.7; HD- 13.0- 

15.0; HW- 19.1- 21.8; BDD- 15.6- 18.2; BDA- 12.2- 16.3; BWD- 13.9- 18.8; BWA- 10.4- 13.8; PRD- 31.0- 36.4; 

POD- 54.4- 69.8; PRP- 19.5- 21.8; PRPL- 45.2- 49.5; PRA- 63.5- 67.4; LRD- 19.1- 21.8; LP- 20.9- 21.9; LPL- 

17.3- 17.4; LA- 16.8- 17.4; LAD- 8.7- 16.4; LBRD- 10.4 -12.3; LBAD- 10.0- 15.4; LBA- 13.0- 13.6; LBP- 7.8- 9.1; 

LBPL- 4.3- 6.4; DRD & AD- 23.5- 40.0; LCP- 16.9- 19.8; DCP- 7.8- 8.2; WCP- 5.4- 6.4; DAV- 4.9- 5.5; DVV- 

11.3- 13.6. % HL: HD-57.7- 63.5; HW- 84.6- 88.5; ED- 4.0- 7.7; STL- 50.0- 54.0; IOW- 23.8- 30.8; INW- 16- 2.1; 

WGM- 36.0- 42.3; LMB- 84.8- 96.2; LBMB- 15.4- 23.1; LNB- 15.4- 26.9; LOMB- 38.0- 46.2; LIMB- 23.1- 26.9; 

LATA- 57.7- 60.0; WATA- 38.5- 44.0. 

Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) 

Silurus fossilis, Bloch, 1794, Naturg.Ausland Fische 8; 46 (type locality: Tranquebar). 

Diagnosis: Median frontal groove on head limited to a round depression between and backwards of eyes; occipital 

process short and not extending to base of dorsal fin; rayed dorsal fin is short and without a spine; anal fin long 

based, separated by a distinct notch from caudal fin. 

Meristic counts: D- 6-7; P- I, 7; V- i, 5; A- 60- 70. 

Metric characters: TL (mm) - 171.0; SL (mm) - 150.0; HL (mm)- 29.0. % SL: HL- 19.3; HD-10.0; HW-16.0; BDD- 

20.0; BWD-15.3; PRD-32.7; POD-68.7; PRP-16.7; POD-68.7; PRP-16.7; PRPL-35.3; PRA-40.7; LD-11.3; LP- 

13.3; LPL-8.7; LA-10.7; LC-14.0; LBD-40.0; LBP- 26.7; LBPL-18.0; LBA- 48.7; LBC-40.0; DP-PL-21.3; DPL-A- 

40.0. % HL:ED-13.8; IOW-48.3; INW-27.6; WGM-38.0; DO-ST-82.8; DO-D-86.2. 

Other features: Body yellow above and on lateral sides, lighter below; dorsal located a little in front of pelvic; 

pectoral never reach pelvic fin, the latter reach behind anal origin; anal never fused to caudal 

Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes 

Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes IN Cuvier &Valenciennes Hist. Nat. Poiss, 1840, 15: 382 (type locality: 

Pondicherry and Malabar). 


15


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Diagnosis: Head depressed snout broad; occipital process broadly rounded; anal and dorsal fins are long based. 

Pectoral fin with a strong spine, which is serrated on its outer edge, but only a few small teeth present in the middle 

of its inner margin. 

Meristic counts: D- 66- 69; P- I, 10- 14; V- I, 5; A- 45- 59. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 270.0; SL (mm)- 235.0.% SL: BDD-15.3; HL-24.2; HD- 12.0; PRD-36.2; POD-77.4; 

PRP 49.0; LD-4.3; LBAD-60.0; LBA-30.6; LP-12.3; LPL-10.2; LCP-4.7; DCP-7.2. 

Other features: Body color dark above, lighter ventrally; dorsal, anal and caudal fins are tinged with red. 

Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) 

Diagnosis: Cephalic groove divided into two fontanels; of this, anterior one is elongated and posterior one is round 

and deep; in addition to this a small groove present on occiput also; occipital process never reach dorsal fin front; 

nasal barbels short and never reach occiput; maxillaries and outer mandibulars reach just behind pectoral base, inner 

mandibulars never reach pectoral base. Tip of pelvic fin reach behind the origin of anal fin. Dorsal and anal fin 

long but never fused to caudal. 

Meristic counts: D- 63; P- I, 8; V- 6; A- 52; C- 19. 

Fig. 19. Clarius gariepinus 

Fig. 20. Arius subrostratus 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 352.0; SL (mm)- 307.0; HL (mm)- 66.0.% SL; HL- 21.5; HD-11.4; HW-18.6; BDD- 

14.0; PRD-30.5; POD-63.5; LD-3.3; LBA-44.0; LP-10.7; LPL-11.1; LA-5.2; LC-14.6; DP- PL- 22.1; DPL- A- 9.4; 

DAV- 3.3; DVV- 4.6.% HL: HD-53.0; HW-86.4; ED-10.6; STL-37.8; IOW-48.5; INW-34.8; LMB-92.4; LNB-47.0; 

LOMB-74.2; LIMB-55.3. 

Arius subrostratus Valenciennes 

Arius subrostratus Valenciennes, Hist. nat. Poiss., 15, P.62 (Type locality: Malabar) 

Diagnosis: Cephalic frontal groove narrow, considerably deep and reach to occiput; occipital process reaches dorsal 

front; distal half of last undivided ray of rayed dorsal fin extremely long, filamentous and extends up to or very near 

to origin of adipose dorsal fin; anal tip reach caudal base. 

Meristic counts: D- I, 7; V- i, 6; P- I, 12; A- VI, 14; C- 16. 

Metric characters: TL (mm)- 252.0; SL (mm)- 216.0.% SL; HL- 20..5; HD-1.1; HW-16,2; BDD-12.0; PRD-28.5; 

POD-60.5; LD- 6.7; LBA-41.0; LP-11.7; LPL-10.0; LA-4.2; LC-13.6; DP- PL- 20.1; DPL- A- 7.4.% HL: HD-59.2; 

HW- 65.3; ED-22.4; STL-44.8; IOW-34.7; INW-14.3. 

Other features: Upper caudal lobe longer than the lower one; dorsal spine serrated on inner and outer sides; pectoral 

spine finely serrated on outer side and moderately serrated on inner side. Maxillary barbels reach just behind the 


16


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front border of orbit and also reach half way between maxillary base and pectoral base; outer mandibulars shorter 

than maxillary; it never reach orbit; inner mandibulars shorter than outer mandibulars; no nasals. 

CONCLUSION 

Even though many scientific studies are being conducted on the freshwater fishes of central Travancore, detailed 

taxonomic studies are very rare. Ichthyodiversity was found to be greater in this region; moreover, some species are 

abundantly distributed in the low level regions. But total number of many species has greatly been reduced; many 

fishes were not collected from some sites from where they were recorded in the past. Aquatic bioinvasion and 

habitat destruction are major reasons for the decline of biodiversity of fishes. 

Acknowledgement 

The author acknowledges Principal, Baby John Memorial Government College, Chavara, Kerala for providing the 

facilities. I am grateful to anonymous reviewers for comments that helped to improve the manuscript. 

REFERENCES 

[1] Bornbush, A. H. Zool. J. Limn. Soc.1991,101: 105- 120. 

[2] Ferraris, C. J. Pinna, M. C. C. de.Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 1999, 51 (1): 1- 17. 

[3] Ferraris, C. L. Zootaxa, 2007, 1418: 441. 

[4] Mo, T. Anatomy and Systematics of Bagridae (Teleostei) and siluroid phylogeny. Koeltz, scientific books, 

Koenigstein, Germany, 1991, 125. 

[5] de Pinna, M.C.C. Higher level phylogeny of Siluriformes (Teleostei, Ostariophysi) with a new classification of 

the order. Ph.D dissertation.City University of New York.American Museum of Natural History, 1993. 

[6]de Pinna, M. C. C.Fieldiana Zoology New Series, 1996, 84: iv+ 83. 

[7] Misra, K. S. The fauna of India and Adjacent countries.Siluri, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata,1976, 3:109. 

[8] Jayaram, K. C. Sanyal, A. A taxonomic revision of the fishes of the genus MystusScopeli.Records of Zoological 

Survey of India, Occational Paper No. 207,2003, 136. 

[9] Jayaram, K. C. Cat fishes of India, Narendra Publishing House, Delhi,2006, 41- 145. 


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