Heteropneustes fossilis

Heteropneustes fossilis, also known as Asian stinging catfish or fossil cat, is a species of airsac catfish found in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bhutan. It has also been introduced to the Tigris River Basin in western Iran.^[1]

Heteropneustes fossilis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Heteropneustidae
Genus:	Heteropneustes
Species:	H. fossilis
Binomial name
Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)
Synonyms
List Silurus fossilis Bloch, 1794 Saccobranchus fossilis (Bloch, 1794) Silurus singio Hamilton, 1822 Saccobranchus singio (Hamilton, 1822) Silurus laticeps Swainson, 1838 Silurus biserratus Swainson, 1839 Saccobranchus microcephalus Günther, 1864

Description

H. fossilis is found mainly in ponds, ditches, swamps, and marshes, but sometimes occurs in muddy rivers. It can tolerate slightly brackish water. It is omnivorous. This species breeds in confined waters during the monsoon, but can breed in ponds, derelict ponds, and ditches when sufficient rainwater accumulates. It is in great demand due to its alleged medicinal value.^[2]

The stinging catfish is able to deliver a painful sting to humans. Poison from a gland on its pectoral fin spine has been known to be extremely painful.

This species grows to a total length of 30 cm (12 in), and is an important component of local commercial fisheries. It is also farmed and found in the aquarium trade.^[2]