Fishes of Nepal: Mapping distributions based on voucher specimens

Fishes of Nepal: Mapping distributions based on voucher specimens – Appendix II.Species in the orders Siluriformes, Cyprinodontiformes, Beloniformes, Synbranchi-formes, Perciformes, and Tetraodontiformes

EMPORIA STATE RESEARCH STUDIES Vol. 48, no. 2, p. 52-74 (2012)

Table of contents

Order Siluriformes Family Bagridae (p. 53)

Batasio macronotus Ng & Edds 2004Batasio tengana (Hamilton 1822)Mystus bleekeri (Day 1877)Mystus cavasius (Hamilton 1822)Mystus tengara (Hamilton 1822)Mystus vittatus (Bloch 1794)Rita rita (Hamilton 1822)Sperata aor (Hamilton 1822)Sperata seenghala (Sykes 1839)

Family Siluridae (p. 56)Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch 1794)Ompok pabda (Hamilton 1822)Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider 1801)

Family Schilbeidae (p. 57)Ailia coila (Hamilton 1822)Clupisoma garua (Hamilton 1822)Eutropiichthys murius (Hamilton 1822)Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton 1822)

Family Amblycipitidae (p. 58)Amblyceps mangois (Hamilton 1822)

Family Sisoridae Subfamily Sisorinae (p. 59)

Bagarius yarrelli (Sykes 1839)Gagata cenia (Hamilton 1822)Gagata sexualis Tilak 1970Gogangra viridescens (Hamilton 1822)Nangra assamensis Sen & Biswas 1994Nangra nangra (Hamilton 1822)Sisor rheophilus Ng 2003

Subfamily Glyptosterninae (p. 61)Glyptothorax alaknandi Tilak 1969

Glyptothorax botius (Hamilton 1822)Glyptothorax cavia (Hamilton 1822)Glyptothorax garhwali Tilak 1969Glyptothorax gracilis (Günther 1864)Glyptothorax indicus Talwar 1991Glyptothorax telchitta (Hamilton 1822)Glyptothorax trilineatus Blyth 1860Myersglanis blythii (Day 1870)Parachiloglanis hodgarti (Hora 1923)Pseudecheneis eddsi Ng 2006Pseudecheneis serracula Ng & Edds 2005

Family Erethistidae (p. 65)Erethistoides ascita Ng & Edds 2005Pseudolaguvia kapuri (Tilak & Husain 1975)

Family Clariidae (p. 65)Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus 1758)

Family Heteropneustidae (p. 66)Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch 1794)

Family Chacidae (p. 66)Chaca chaca (Hamilton 1822)

Order Cyprinodontiformes Family Aplocheilidae (p. 66)

Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton 1822)

Order Beloniformes Family Belonidae (p. 67)

Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton 1822)

Order Synbranchiformes Family Synbranchidae (p. 67)

Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton 1822)

Family Mastacembelidae (p. 67)Macrognathus pancalus Hamilton 1822Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède 1800)

1. Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801. Present address: Oklahoma StateUniversity, Stillwater, OK 74078 <[email protected]>

2. Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801. Corresponding author<[email protected]>

OM H. SHRESTHA1 AND DAVID R. EDDS2

Emporia State Research Studies 48(2), 2012 53

Order Perciformes Family Ambassidae (p. 68)

Chanda nama Hamilton 1822Parambassis baculis (Hamilton 1822)Parambassis lala (Hamilton 1822)Pseudambassis ranga (Hamilton 1822)

Family Nandidae (p. 70)Nandus nandus (Hamilton 1822)

Family Badidae (p. 70)Badis badis (Hamilton 1822)

Family Mugilidae (p. 70)Sicamugil cascasia (Hamilton 1822)

Family Gobiidae Subfamily Gobiinae (p. 71)

Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton 1822)

Family Anabantidae (p. 71)Anabas cobojius (Hamilton 1822)

Family Osphronemidae Subfamily Luciocephalinae (p. 71)

Trichogaster chuna (Hamilton 1822)Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider 1801Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton 1822)

Family Channidae (p. 72)Channa gachua (Hamilton 1822)Channa marulius (Hamilton 1822)Channa punctata (Bloch 1793)

Order Tetraodontiformes Family Tetraodontidae (p. 74)

Tetraodon cutcutia Hamilton 1822

Species accounts

Batasio macronotus Ng & Edds 2004Batasio

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Bagridae

Batasio macronotus, KU 34546, 85.6 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Known only from the Koshi River in eastern Nepal;quiet lowland waters over sand and mud substrate (Ngand Edds 2004).

Feeding habits: No available primary literature.Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Batasio tengana (Hamilton 1822)Assamese Batasio


Batasio tengana, KU 35240, 39.1 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Kanchanpur, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Submontane rivers and ponds (Menon 1999).Feeding habits: No available primary literature.Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Hossain and Haque

2005).

Mystus bleekeri (Day 1877)Day’s Mystus


Shrestha and Edds 54

Mystus bleekeri, KU 28623, 69.1 mm SL


Habitat use: Streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); ponds, rivers, lakes,ditches (Molur and Walker 1998).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998; Rasooland Suleman 1999); insects, mosquito larvae, mollusks,arthropods (Rasool and Suleman 1999); predator (Tamotand Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to August (Hossain andHaque 2005).

Mystus cavasius (Hamilton 1822)Gangetic Mystus


Mystus cavasius, KU 28965, 75.1 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Submontane streams (Khan 1934); muddy streams(Shaw and Shebbeare 1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a,b); rivers, ponds, lakes (Molur and Walker 1998); rivers,streams, ponds, lakes, flooded fields (Daniels 2002); rivers,canals, ponds, ditches, inundated fields (Roy and Hossain2006).

Feeding habits: Mid-water feeder, algae, rotifers, crustaceans,pelagic insects and their larvae (Das and Moitra 1955);carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to July (Hossain and Haque2005).

Mystus tengara (Hamilton 1822)Tengara Mystus


Mystus tengara, KU 28624, 64.6 mm SL


Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); rivers, ponds inthe plains (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Omnivorous (Nazneen and Bari 1982).Reproduction: Breeds from April to July with peak in May and

June (Parameswaran, Radhakrishnan and Selvarj 1971);April to August (Hossain and Haque 2005).


Mystus vittatus (Bloch 1794)Striped Dwarf Catfish


Mystus vittatus, KU 29576, 55.2 mm SL


Habitat use: Streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Sheabbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); ponds, lakes, rivers(Molur and Walker 1998); ponds, streams, ditches, canals,flood waters, lakes, swamps with muddy substrate (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Mid-water feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998); aquatic insects andother invertebrates (Daniels 2002); feeding on small fishes(Ahmed et al. 2007).

Reproduction: Breeds in rainwater pools, ditches (Daniels2002); April to August (Hossain and Haque 2005);December to August (Rajagopal and Davidar 2008).

Rita rita (Hamilton 1822)Rita


Rita rita, KU 29415, 126.6 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Kailali, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Rivers and streams (Khan 1934); rivers (Shawand Shebbeare 1937; Molur and Walker 1998); lowlandrivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); backwaters in tributaries oflarge rivers (Shrestha 1990); rivers (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Khan 1934; Molur and Walker1998); insects and their larvae, young fishes (Khan 1934);bottom feeder (Das and Moitra 1955); insects,crustaceans, rotifers, algae, macrophytes (Laghari et al.2009).

Reproduction: Breeds from June to end of July, prolific breeder(Khan 1934); annual breeder (Molur and Walker 1998);during monsoon (Hossain and Haque 2005); July toAugust (Rajagopal and Davidar 2008).

Sperata aor (Hamilton 1822)Long-Whiskered Catfish


Sperata aor, KU 29382, 110.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari,Udayapur

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); rivers, ponds,lakes, inundated fields (Rahman 1989); large rivers, lakes,reservoirs (Menon 1999).


Feeding habits: Predator (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).Reproduction: Breeds in June and July (Khan 1934); April to

July (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Sperata seenghala (Sykes 1839)Giant River-Catfish


Sperata seenghala, KU 29592, 210.0 mm SL


Habitat use: Rivers (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937; Ratanatrivong,Anurakchanaachai and Rungpiboonsophit 2002); lowlandrivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); inundated fields (Menon1999); large rivers, ponds, reservoirs, canals, flooded fields(Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous, feeding on fish eggs and fry(Khan 1934); mid-water feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);omnivorous, feeding on fishes and aquatic insectsincluding dragonfly nymphs (Edds 1987); herbivorous(Rasool and Suleman 1999).

Reproduction: Breeds in June and July (Khan 1934); Januaryto April at 1 to 2 m depth along shore, excavating nest insand-gravel, male guards fry (Ratanatrivong,Anurakchanaachai and Rungpiboonsophit 2002); beforemonsoon, lays eggs in nests (Daniels 2002); April to July(Hossain and Haque 2005).

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch 1794)Butter Catfish

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Siluridae

Ompok bimaculatus, KU 28625, 125.3 mm SL


Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); lakes, ponds,rivers (Molur and Walker 1998); shallow rivers and pondswith mud and sand substrate in plains and submontaneregions (Menon 1999); rivers of plains and hills, shallow,quiet waters, sandy streams (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Piscivorous, carnivorous (Molur and Walker1998); predator (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds in July and August (Khan 1934);monsoon (Daniels 2002); June to August (Hossain andHaque 2005).

Ompok pabda (Hamilton 1822)Pabdah Catfish


Ompok pabda, KU 29585, 131.4 mm SL



Habitat use: Clear streams and muddy pools in the lowlands(Shaw and Shebbeare 1937); small and large rivers of thelowlands, in slight current with some submerged plants(Edds 1985); rivers, ponds (Molur and Walker 1998); rivers,streams, ponds, lakes (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Surface feeder (Das and Moitra 1955; Molurand Walker 1998); omnivorous (Nazneen and Bari 1982);carnivorous, piscivorous (Molur and Walker 1998);predator (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds in July and August (Khan 1934); Juneto late July (Parameswaran, Radhakrishnan and Shelvarj1971); during monsoon (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider 1801)Wallago


Wallago attu, KU 12162, 195.0 mm SL


Habitat use: Fast and sluggish waters (Khan 1934); still, deeppools in clear streams and ponds (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); rivers, lakes,

reservoirs (Molur and Walker 1998); prefers deep waterswith mud or silt substrate (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Scavenger, voracious eater feeding on fishes,their eggs and fry (Khan 1934); carnivorous, feeding oncrustaceans, insects, small fishes (Chaudhary and Singh2006); predator (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds from July to August in shallow water(Khan 1934); before monsoon (Daniels 2002); May toAugust (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Ailia coila (Hamilton 1822)Gangetic Ailia

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Schilbeidae

Ailia coila, KU 29095, 81.3 mm SL


Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); rivers, reservoirs(Molur and Walker 1998); large rivers (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Surface feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).

Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Hossain and Haque2005).

Clupisoma garua (Hamilton 1822)Garua Bachcha


Clupisoma garua, KU 29108, 108.2 mm SL


Nepal distribution: Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Rivers (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937; Molur andWalker 1998); rivers of the hills and lowlands (Edds 1993);large rivers (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Feeds on insects and their larvae, crustaceans,small fishes (Khan 1934); dobsonfly larvae, beetle larvae,caddisfly larvae, terrestrial insects (Edds 1987);carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).

Reproduction: Breeds in March, ascends to cold waters tobreed, lays eggs in shallow streams (Khan 1934); Marchto July (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Eutropiichthys murius (Hamilton 1822)Murius Vacha


Eutropiichthys murius, KU 29184, 83.3 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Jhapa

Habitat use: Submontane regions (Khan 1934); rivers, streams(Rahman 1989; Molur and Walker 1998; Menon 1999);lakes (Molur and Walker 1998).

Feeding habits: Feeds on insects and their larvae and on smallfishes (Khan 1934); carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).

Reproduction: Breeds in June (Khan 1934); monsoon (Hossainand Haque 2005).

Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton 1822)Batchwa Vacha


Eutropiichthys vacha, KU 29593, 175.0 mm SL


Habitat use: Rivers (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937; Molur andWalker 1998); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); large rivers(Menon 1999); large rivers (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Feeds on larval and adult insects and smallfishes (Khan 1934); carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998);surface feeder (Daniels 2002).


Amblyceps mangois (Hamilton 1822)Catfish

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Amblycipitidae

Amblyceps mangois, KU 29101, 68.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Chitwan, Jhapa, Kailali,Kanchanpur, Morang, Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari


Habitat use: Rivers in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937);rivers in hills and lowlands (Edds 1993), in shallow, rockyriffles (Edds 2007); hill streams (Molur and Walker 1998);rivers over sand and pebbles (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Insectivorous, feeding on aquatic insects,including caddisfly larvae (Edds 1987); carnivorous(Molur and Walker 1998).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to June (Khan 1934).

Bagarius yarrelli (Sykes 1839)Goonch

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Sisoridae

Subfamily—Sisorinae

Bagarius yarrelli, KU 29586, 147.7 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Kailali, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); rapids androcky pools of large rivers (Menon 1999); large andmedium-sized rivers (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937); rivers(Sharma 2008; Subba 2008).

Feeding habits: Prawns, fishes, aquatic insects (Roberts 1983).Reproduction: Breeds from April to July (Hossain and Haque

2005).

Gagata cenia (Hamilton 1822)Indian Gagata



Gagata cenia, KU 29183, 53.2 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Jhapa, Kailali, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); rivers (Menon1999).

Feeding habits: Omnivorous, feeding on crustaceans,mollusks, plants, algal filaments, fish scales (Joaddar 2006).


Gagata sexualis Tilak 1970Koel Gagata



Gagata sexualis, KU 29479, 51.8 mm SL



Habitat use: Lowland rivers with slight current over mud andsand (Edds 1985); bottom-dwelling in rivers (Molur andWalker 1998).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Gogangra viridescens (Hamilton 1822)Huddah Nangra



Gogangra viridescens, KU 29098, 70.1 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Morang, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b).Feeding habits: No available primary literature.Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Nangra assamensis Sen & Biswas 1994Nangra



Nangra assamensis, KU 29511, 79.9 mm SL


Habitat use: Lowland, swift-flowing rivers over sand (Eddsand Ng 2007).


Nangra nangra (Hamilton 1822)Kosi Nangra



Nangra nangra, KU 29383, 48.4 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Dhanusa, Morang, Nawalparasi, Saptari,Sarlahi, Sunsari

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b).Feeding habits: Bottom feeder (Molur and Walker 1998).Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Hossain and Haque

2005).


Sisor rheophilus Ng 2003Kirkiree



Sisor rheophilus, KU 29109, 96.2 mm SL


Habitat use: Fast-flowing rivers over sand (Ng 2003); lowlandrivers over sand with some rock, in moderate flow (Eddsand Ng 2007).


Glyptothorax alaknandi Tilak 1969Kapre


Subfamily—Glyptosterninae

Glyptothorax alaknandi, KU 28653, 51.2 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Kanchanpur

Habitat use: Hill streams, bottom dweller (Molur and Walker1998); rivers with shallow, rocky riffles and strong currentin hills and lowlands (Edds and Ng 2007).


Glyptothorax botius (Hamilton 1822)Telcapre



Glyptothorax botius, KU 38561, 81.1 mm SL


Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds and Ng 2007).Feeding habits: No available primary literature.Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Glyptothorax cavia (Hamilton 1822)Catfish




Glyptothorax cavia, KU 29582, 86.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Baglung, Bardiya, Kailali, Nawalparasi,Parbat, Saptari, Sunsari, Udayapur

Habitat use: Rivers in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937);hill streams, bottom dweller (Molur and Walker 1998); rockyriffles in rivers of hills and lowlands (Edds 1993, 2007).


Glyptothorax garhwali Tilak 1969Capre



Glyptothorax garhwali, KU 29016, 116.8 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Baglung, Gulmi, Parbat, Syangja

Habitat use: Hill streams, bottom dweller (Molur and Walker1998); rivers of the hills having strong current overshallow, rocky riffles (Edds and Ng 2007).


Glyptothorax gracilis (Günther 1864)Catfish



Glyptothorax gracilis, KU 29001, 116.8 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Bhojpur, Chitwan, Dhankuta,Kailali, Kanchanpur, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Rautahat,Sankhuwasabha, Sarlahi, Syangja, Tanahun, Udayapur

Habitat use: Rivers (Molur and Walker 1998); bottom dweller(Molur and Walker 1998); rocky riffles of lowland rivers(Edds 2007).


Glyptothorax indicus Talwar 1991Catfish




Glyptothorax indicus, KU 29432, 119.8 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Achham, Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Kailali,Nawalparasi, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi, Sunsari, Surkhet

Habitat use: Torrential streams (Molur and Walker 1998); bottomdweller (Molur and Walker 1998); rocky riffles of lowlandrivers (Edds 2007).


Glyptothorax telchitta (Hamilton 1822)Telcapre



Glyptothorax telchitta, KU 28813, 45.3 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Kailali,Nawalparasi, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi, Sunsari, Tanahun

Habitat use: Pools and rivers (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937);lowland rivers (Edds 1993); submontane streams, bottomdweller (Molur and Walker 1998).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Singh, Bahuguna and Bhatt 1993;Molur and Walker 1998), feeding on aquatic insects andtheir larvae (Singh, Bahuguna and Bhatt 1993).


Glyptothorax trilineatus Blyth 1860Three-Lined Catfish



Glyptothorax trilineatus, KU 29631, 65.3 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bhojpur, Chitwan, Gulmi, Nawalparasi,Sankhuwasabha, Saptari, Sunsari, Syangja, Tanahun

Habitat use: Hill streams and sluggish streams (Rahman 1989);rivers of the hills and lowlands (Edds 1993).


Myersglanis blythii (Day 1870)Stone Cat



Myersglanis blythii, KU 27888, 56.1 mm SL


Nepal distribution: Mugu, Myagdi

Habitat use: Rivers with swift flow over rocky substrate inmountains and hills (Edds 2007).

Feeding habits: Insectivorous, feeding on aquatic insectsincluding stonefly nymphs and caddisfly larvae (Edds1987).

Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Parachiloglanis hodgarti (Hora 1923)Torrent Catfish



Parachiloglanis hodgarti, KU 29045, 50.9 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bajura, Mugu, Myagdi

Habitat use: Rapid, mountain streams (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); cold waters, torrential streams (Molur and Walker1998).

Feeding habits: Omnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Pseudecheneis eddsi Ng 2006Kabre



Pseudecheneis eddsi, KU 36872, 84.1 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Tanahun

Habitat use: Known only from Nepal; hill rivers with swiftwaters over rocky riffles (Ng 2006).


Pseudecheneis serracula Ng & Edds 2005Kabre



Pseudecheneis serracula, KU 29554, 153.2 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bajura, Gulmi, Kanchanpur, Mugu, Syangja,Tanahun


Habitat use: Rivers of hills and lowlands, exclusively in broad,shallow riffles with swift velocity over cobble and pebblesubstrate (Ng and Edds 2005a).

Feeding habits: Insectivorous, feeding on aquatic insectsincluding caddisflies (Edds 1987; Ng and Edds 2005a).

Reproduction: Breeds in upper reaches of rivers duringmonsoon (Ng and Edds 2005a).

Erethistoides ascita Ng & Edds 2005Katakanti

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Erethistidae

Erethistoides ascita, KU 35016, 36.7 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Jhapa, Udayapur

Habitat use: Pebble and cobble riffles with moderate depthand current velocity (Ng and Edds 2005b).


Pseudolaguvia kapuri (Tilak & Husain 1975)Datari

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Erethistidae

Pseudolaguvia kapuri, KU 29169, 26.3 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Dang Deokhuri, Jhapa

Habitat use: Slow-moving streams (Molur and Walker 1998);mountain rapids (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous, bottom dweller (Molur andWalker 1998).

Reproduction: No available primary literature.

Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus 1758)Philippine Catfish

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Clariidae

Clarias batrachus, KU 29332, 117.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Morang

Habitat use: Over mud (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937); lowlandlakes (Edds 1986a); rivers, ponds, swamps, ditches, slow-moving muddy waters (Menon 1999); buried in the bottomof streams, ponds, flooded rice fields (Daniels 2002).


Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Sinha and Moitra 1978; Molurand Walker 1998); omnivorous (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds from July to August (Daniels 2002;Rajagopal and Davidar 2008); prefers inundated paddyfields (Hossain and Haque 2005); May to July (Hossainand Haque 2005).

Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch 1794)Stinging Catfish

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Heteropneustidae

Heteropneustes fossilis, KU 29331, 103.4 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Morang, Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Rivers and ponds in the lowlands (Shaw andShebbeare, 1937); lowland lakes (Edds 1986a); ponds,ditches, marshes, swamps, rivers (Molur and Walker 1998);rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, flooded waters (Daniels 2002);ponds (Khan, Islam and Hussain 2003).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998;Chaudhary and Singh 2006; Ahmed et al. 2007); feeds oncrustaceans, rotifers, adult insects and larvae, fish fry andfingerlings, mollusks, shrimps (Chaudhary and Singh2006).

Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Khan 1934; Daniels2002; Hossain and Haque 2005) in ditches (Daniels 2002);multiseasonal (Rajagopal and Davidar 2008).

Chaca chaca (Hamilton 1822)Squarehead Catfish

Order—SiluriformesFamily—Chacidae

Chaca chaca, KU 29118, 144.7 mm SL


Habitat use: Rivers and ponds in the lowlands (Shaw andShebbeare 1937).

Feeding habits: Sits on bottom and lures fish prey by wigglingmaxillary barbels (Schifter 1965).


Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton 1822)Blue Panchax

Order—CyprinodontiformesFamily—Aplocheilidae

Aplocheilus panchax, KU 28582, 37.4 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Jhapa, Kailali, Morang, Saptari, Sunsari


Habitat use: Clear, shallow waters (Molur and Walker 1998);shallow ponds, canals, ditches (Daniels 2002); lowlandbackwaters (Edds 2007); at low altitudes (Chandra et al.2008).

Feeding habits: Filamentous algae, copepods, chironomids,aqutic insects (Sen 1937); larvivorous (Molur and Walker1998; Chandra et al. 2008); planktophagous (Molur andWalker 1998).

Reproduction: Spawns on submerged aquatic plants (Brederand Rosen 1966); sexually mature in 4-5 months; breedsthroughout the year; lays eggs onto floating, submergedplants (Daniels 2002); monsoon (Hossain and Haque2005).

Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton 1822)Freshwater Garfish

Order—BeloniformesFamily—Belonidae

Xenentodon cancila, KU 29399, 112.8 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Chitwan, Kailali, Nawalparasi,Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Pools in clear, gravel-bed streams in the lowlands(Shaw and Shebbeare 1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1993)with sand and mud substrate (Edds 2007); streams, rivers,ponds over rocks or sand (Menon 1999); surface dwellerin clear, gravelly, perennial streams and ponds (Chandraet al. 2008).

Feeding habits: Mid-water feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);carnivorous, feeding on mayfly nymphs and fishes,including X. cancila (Edds 1987); omnivorous (Molur andWalker 1998); mosquito larvae (Chandra et al. 2008);predator (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).


Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton 1822)Blind Fish

Order—SynbranchiformesFamily—Synbranchidae

Monopterus cuchia, KU 29333, 490.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Morang, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Mud holes in rice fields in the lowlands (Shawand Shebbeare 1937); rivers and floodplains (Ahmed etal. 2009).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).Reproduction: Builds nest on burrows at the beginning of

rainy season (Breder and Rosen 1966); monsoon (Hossainand Haque 2005).

Macrognathus pancalus Hamilton 1822Striped Spiny Eel

Order—SynbranchiformesFamily—Mastacembelidae


Macrognathus pancalus, KU 29395, 117.2 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Dang Deokhuri, Kailali, Saptari,Sunsari, Udayapur

Habitat use: Streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1993, 2007); ponds, rivers(Molur and Walker 1998); rivers in the plains (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Detritivorous, bottom dweller (Molur andWalker 1998); insect larvae, annelids (Suresh et al. 2006).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to July (Hossain and Haque2005); May to August (Suresh et al. 2006).

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède 1800)Zig-Zag Eel

Order—SynbranchiformesFamily—Mastacembelidae

Mastacembelus armatus, KU 29584, 104.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Chitwan, Dang Deokhuri,Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari, Tanahun

Habitat use: Clear streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); rivers of the hills and lowlands (Edds 1993); streamsand rivers over sand, pebbles, or rocks (Menon 1999);rivers with sand, pebble, or boulder substrate (Daniels

2002); ponds, lakes, streams, rivers (Narejo, Rahmatullahand Rashid 2002).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous, feeding on fish eggs and fry(Khan 1934); insect larvae, prawns, fishes (Hora andMukerji 1936); mayfly nymphs, terrestrial dipterans, fishes(Edds 1987); Mid-water feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);carnivorous (Rasool and Suleman 1999); detritus, buriedworms (Daniels 2002); predator (Tamot and Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds in July (Narejo, Rahmatullah and Rashid2002); April to July (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Chanda nama Hamilton 1822Elongate Glass-Perchlet

Order—PerciformesFamily—Ambassidae

Chanda nama, KU 28585, 53.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Chitwan, Kailali, Nawalparasi,Saptari, Sunsari, Udayapur

Habitat use: Streams of the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); freshwaterswith thick vegetation (Chandra et al. 2008).

Feeding habits: Surface feeder (Das and Moitra 1955); fishscales, insects, microcrustaceans (Grubh and Winemiller2004); mosquito larvae (Chandra et al. 2008); omnivorous(Tamot and Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds in March through July (Grubh and Winemiller2004); March to October (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Parambassis baculis (Hamilton 1822)Himalayan Glassy Perchlet



Parambassis baculis, KU 29496, 37.2 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Banke, Chitwan, Kanchanpur, Nawalparasi,Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1993); ponds, rivers, lakes(Molur and Walker 1998); rivers, ponds, ditches (Menon 1999);quiet waters over sand and mud substrate (Edds 2007).

Feeding habits: Insectivorous, feeding on aquatic insects,including mayfly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs, andchironomid larvae (Edds 1987); carnivorous, column feeder(Molur and Walker 1998).


Parambassis lala (Hamilton 1822)Highfin Glassy Perchlet


Parambassis lala, KU 28742, 28.6 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Jhapa, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Clear streams and rivers in the lowlands (Shawand Shebbeare 1937); backwaters of lowland rivers (Edds2007).

Feeding habits: Feeds on mosquito larvae (Sen 1937).Reproduction: Male swims around the female during courtship

display (Breder and Rosen 1966).

Pseudambassis ranga (Hamilton 1822)Siamese Glassfish


Pseudambassis ranga, KU 29562, 40.0 mm SL


Habitat use: Streams, ponds, inundated fields (Rahman 1989);lowland rivers (Edds 1993); rivers (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Surface feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);phytoplankton (Daniels 2002).


Reproduction: Breeds throughout rainy season (Daniels 2002);monsoon (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Nandus nandus (Hamilton 1822)Gangetic Leaffish

Order—PerciformesFamily—Nandidae

Nandus nandus, KU 29103, 83.3 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Kanchanpur, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Muddy streams and ponds in the lowlands,ditches, inundated fields (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937);lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); rivers, lakes,reservoirs (Molur and Walker 1998).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998; Pal etal. 2003); predator (Daniels 2002); feeds on insects, smallshrimp, small fish (Pal et al. 2003).


Badis badis (Hamilton 1822)Badis

Order—PerciformesFamily—Badidae

Badis badis, KU 28609, 39.5 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Jhapa, Kanchanpur, Morang,Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Clear streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers and backwaters (Edds 1986a, b,2007); rivers, ponds, ditches (Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Mosquito larvae (Sen 1937).Reproduction: Lays eggs on stones; male clasps female from

below with his caudal fin on her pectoral fin (Breder andRosen 1966); monsoon (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Sicamugil cascasia (Hamilton 1822)Yellowtail Mullet

Order—PerciformesFamily—Mugilidae

Sicamugil cascasia, KU 28952, 56.1 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Nawalparasi

Habitat use: Lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); rivers (Rahman1989; Molur and Walker 1998; Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Omnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Hossain and Haque

2005).


Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton 1822)Tank Goby

Order—PerciformesFamily—Gobiidae

Subfamily—Gobiinae

Glossogobius giuris, KU 28791, 56.1 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Bardiya, Chitwan, Jhapa, Kailali,Nawalparasi, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi, Sunsari, Udayapur

Habitat use: Streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1993, 2007); ponds, lakes, riversin the plains (Molur and Walker 1998); rivers, streams,lakes, ponds (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Surface feeder (Das and Moitra 1955);piscivorous, feeding on fish, adult and larval insects,shrimp (Piet and Guruge 1997); omnivorous (Molur andWalker 1998); predator (Daniels 2002); carnivorous (Tamotand Awasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Lays eggs onto submerged logs (Daniels 2002);March to October (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Anabas cobojius (Hamilton 1822)Gangetic Koi

Order—PerciformesFamily—Anabantidae

Anabas cobojius, KU 29567, 80.7 mm SL


Habitat use: Ponds, lakes, ditches, paddy fields (Menon 1999);ponds, swamps, ditches (Molur and Walker 1998);lowlands (Edds and Ng 2007).

Feeding habits: Mosquito larvae (Sen 1937); omnivorous(Molur and Walker 1998).

Reproduction: Annual breeder (Molur and Walker 1998).

Trichogaster chuna (Hamilton 1822)Sunset Gourami

Order—PerciformesFamily—Osphronemidae

Subfamily—Luciocephalinae

Trichogaster chuna, KU 28602, 30.9 mm SL


Habitat use: Rivers and lakes with vegetation (Menon 1999);small, lowland rivers with sandy substrate (Edds 2007);rivers and lakes (Chandra et al. 2008).

Feeding habits: Mosquito larvae (Chandra et al. 2008).Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Hossain and Haque

2005).


Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider 1801Banded Gourami



Trichogaster fasciata, KU 28613, 45.8 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Jhapa, Kailali, Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Clear streams in the lowlands (Shaw and Shebbeare1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b) and backwaters withsubmerged vegetation (Edds 2007); rivers, lakes, ponds,swamps (Molur and Walker 1998); rivers, lakes, prefersweedy habitat (Chandra et al. 2008).

Feeding habits: Mosquito larvae (Sen 1937; Chandra et al.2008); carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998);phytoplankton (Mitra et al. 2007); herbivorous (Tamot andAwasthi 2010).

Reproduction: Breeds from June to October (Hossain andHaque 2005); March to October (Mitra et al. 2007).

Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton 1822)Dwarf Gourami



Trichogaster lalius, KU 29357, 18.5 mm SL(caudal fin damaged)

Nepal distribution: Saptari

Habitat use: Ponds, lakes, ditches (Daniels 2002); lowlandbackwaters over mud substrate with submergedvegetation (Edds 2007); streams and lakes with abundantvegetation (Chandra et al. 2008).

Feeding habits: Mosquito larvae (Chandra et al. 2008).Reproduction: Lays eggs within bubble-nest (Daniels 2002);

June to October (Hossain and Haque 2005).

Channa gachua (Hamilton 1822)Garahi

Order—PerciformesFamily—Channidae

Channa gachua, KU 29187, 88.0 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Ilam, Kanchanpur, Morang, Nawalparasi,Saptari, Sunsari


Habitat use: Rivers, ditches, borrow pits (Khan 1934); hill (Edds1986b) and lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b, 2007); ponds,pools, lakes, rivers, bottom-living (Molur and Walker1998); shallow streams hiding under rocks (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Khan 1934; Molur and Walker1998); predaceous, piscivorous (Daniels 2002).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to June (Khan 1934; Hossainand Haque 2005); monogamous, spawns in clear andsluggish waters, eggs laid without nest (Khan 1934);annual breeder (Molur and Walker 1998); shallow pools,throughout the year (Daniels 2002).

Channa marulius (Hamilton 1822)Giant Snakehead


Channa marulius, KU 12180, 177.0 mm SL


Habitat use: Rivers, streams, slow-moving to swift waters (Khan1934); lowland rivers (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937; Edds1986a, b); ponds, lakes, rivers, bottom dweller (Molur andWalker 1998); large lakes, rivers, prefers deep waters withrocky or sandy bottoms (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Fishes, frogs, tadpoles (Khan 1934);carnivorous, feeding on shrimp (Edds 1987); predator,feeding on fishes, water birds, snakes, rodents (Daniels2002).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to June (Khan 1934; Hossainand Haque 2005); monogamous (Khan 1934); annualbreeder (Molur and Walker 1998); April to June, lays eggson floating nest made of plants and leaves (Daniels 2002).

Channa punctata (Bloch 1793)Spotted Snakehead


Channa punctata, KU 29344, 90.4 mm SL

Nepal distribution: Jhapa, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Morang,Nawalparasi, Saptari, Sunsari

Habitat use: Rivers, streams, borrow pits, ditches (Khan 1934);muddy streams and ponds (Shaw and Shebbeare 1937);lowland rivers (Edds 1993, 2007); ponds, pools, lakes,rivers, bottom dweller (Molur and Walker 1998); ponds,ditches, lakes (Daniels 2002).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998;Chaudhary and Singh 2006); insects, mosquito larvae,mollusks, arthropods (Rasool and Suleman 1999);predaceous (Daniels 2002); crustaceans, rotifers, adultinsects and their larvae, fish fry and fingerlings, mollusks,shrimps (Chaudhary and Singh 2006); crustaceans,copepods, worms, small fishes (Ahmed et al. 2007).

Reproduction: Breeds from April to June, lays eggs in a nestalong the bank (Khan 1934); throughout the year, layseggs in shallow waters with silty substrate (Daniels 2002);winter (Hossain and Haque 2005); annual breeder (Molurand Walker 1998).


Tetraodon cutcutia Hamilton 1822Ocellated Pufferfish

Order—TetraodontiformesFamily—Tetraodontidae

Tetraodon cutcutia, KU 29094, 28.1 mm SL


Habitat use: Slow-flowing, clear streams in the lowlands (Shawand Shebbeare 1937); lowland rivers (Edds 1986a, b); rivers(Molur and Walker 1998; Menon 1999).

Feeding habits: Carnivorous (Molur and Walker 1998).Reproduction: Breeds during monsoon (Hossain and Haque

2005).

Documents

Fishes of Nepal: Mapping distributions based on voucher specimens