Sun Catfish Care Guide
Horabagrus brachysoma is a large golden catfish endemic to the Western Ghats rivers of India, listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Overview
The sun catfish (Horabagrus brachysoma) is a large Indian catfish described by Günther in 1864, also called Günther's catfish or yellow catfish. It has a yellowish body marked by a black shoulder spot surrounded by a lighter outline, a large head with a wide mouth, and four pairs of barbels. It is an important food fish in India.
Taxonomy
- Family: Horabagridae (the species record lists Bagridae)
- Genus: Horabagrus
- Scientific name: Horabagrus brachysoma
Habitat
Horabagrus brachysoma is endemic to the rivers of the Western Ghats in India, including the Kerala Backwaters, Vembanad Lake, the Chalakudy, Meenachil and Nethravathi rivers, and the Uttara Kannada district. It prefers smooth-flowing areas with dense vegetation and lowland river and backwater zones with mud or sand substrate.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Maximum size: up to 45 cm (Wikipedia)
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
It is an unspecialized bottom feeder that eats a variety of meaty foods. In the wild it consumes crustaceans, molluscs, fish, terrestrial insects and frogs, and feeding increases during the post-monsoon breeding season.
Compatibility
Given its size and predatory feeding, it should be housed with similarly large tankmates. The record lists large barbs, large gouramis, bichirs and large plecos as suitable companions, while small fish, invertebrates and aggressive cichlids are best avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Wikipedia reports a population decline of 60-70 percent in recent years due to overexploitation, habitat alteration and pollution.