baung fish ( genus bagridae)

Family BagridaeAfrica, Asia. These are scaleless catfishes with well developed dorsal and pectoral spines, a distinct adipose fin and often forked caudal fins. Some species are among the largest of the Malayan catfishes. Genus MystusPrimarily freshwater fish/Euryhaline; oviparous; omnivorous (large specimens are often predators of small fish); solitary or gregarious; benthic. Members of this genus usually bear four pairs of barbels, which are often quite long and stiff. They are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal. The taxonomy of many of these fishes is rather confused at the moment, so some of the names used at present may have to be changed in the future.Estuarine BaungMystus sp.Ikan Baung, Euryhaline; 15 cm. Indigenous, uncommon. Drains, rural ponds, reservoirs, estuarine streams and mangrove creeks.This catfish is able to tolerate brackish water and may be encountered in mangroves where it may be seen travelling in schools. The damming up of certain estuaries may have caused some populations of this fish to become landlocked