Science News: Bagridae - Hemibagrus gracilis

[Silurus]

Synopsis by Shane Linder

Hemibagrus gracilis Ng & Ng, 1995, is described from the eastern part of the Malay Peninsula. This new species is closely allied to H. planiceps. H. gracilis occurs in the upper waters of the Sungei Endau and Sungei Kinchin in the Endau-Rompin area near the borders of the states of Johor and Pahang, Malaysia. The fish reaches a length of 500 mm (just under 20 inches). This species prefers fast clear waters in undisturbed rain forest. The substrate in this area is sand and rocks.

Also presented in this paper is a discussion of the confusing status of H. nemurus which, as presently understood, likely encompasses a number of valid species.


References: Ng P. K. L. & H. H. Ng. 1995. Hemibagrus gracilis, a new species of large riverine catfish (Teleostei: Bagridae) from Peninsular Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 43(1): 133-142.