Asian Banjo Catfish, also scientifically known as Acrochordonichthys rugosus, is a type of catfish that belongs to the Akysidae family.
These fish are found in fast-moving streams with clear water in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
These streams usually have a pH level of 7 and sandy or rocky bottoms.
Asian banjo catfish likes to hide under logs or rocks in areas with fast-moving water and some leaves.
It’s a predator that ambushes its prey, which includes loaches from the Nemacheilus genus and catfish from the Glyptothorax genus.
You can refer to Acrochordonichthys sources for more information on this species’ relationship with other members of its genus.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Asian Banjo Catfish Interesting Facts
- Asian banjo catfish are found in fast-moving streams in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia with pH levels around 7.
- They ambush their prey, including loaches and other catfish, while hiding under rocks or logs in fast-moving water.
- These fish grow up to 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) long and have long nasal barbels (whisker-like structures) on their heads.
- Their adipose fin has an angular back edge, and the pectoral spine features serrations along the rear edge.
Asian Banjo Catfish Habitat
Asian banjo catfish comes from Asia, specifically Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
It lives in freshwater at the bottom (demersal) and prefers a pH range of 7.0 or higher. This fish thrives in tropical environments.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Asian Banjo Catfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters)
Asian banjo catfish grows up to 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) in length. It has one dorsal spine and 4 to 5 dorsal soft rays.
It also has 8 to 10 anal soft rays and about 35 to 37 vertebrae. Its color is usually dark brown with irregular light brown patches.
This fish has long nasal barbels, which are whisker-like structures on its head ranging from 6.5% to 15.6% of the head length.
The sides of the head slope steeply and have a convex snout when viewed from above.
Asian banjo catfish’s adipose fin, a small fin located between the dorsal and caudal fins, has an angular back edge.
Its pectoral spine features serrations along the rear edge as well.
Asian Banjo Catfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Akysidae |
| Genus: | Acrochordonichthys |
| Scientific Name: | Acrochordonichthys rugosus |
| Also Known As: | Asian Banjo Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |