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Horabagrus_brachysoma.a species of bagrid catfish endemic to Vembanadu Lake , Kerala , India

Sun catfish

A yellow catfish with a black shoulder spot from India.

Photo: Saleeshkumar2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The sun catfish is a freshwater species native to the Western Ghats of India. It features a distinct yellow body and black marking. Locals value it for food and the aquarium trade, though wild numbers have fallen due to habitat loss and overfishing.

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  • Endemic to Western Ghats rivers in India
  • Yellow body with a black shoulder spot
  • Eats crustaceans, fish, insects and frogs
  • Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN
  • Popular in the aquarium trade

What it is

This catfish has a large head and a wide mouth positioned slightly below the snout. Its eyes are big enough to be seen from underneath. Four pairs of barbels help it sense its surroundings: one pair near the nose, one on the upper jaw, and two on the lower jaw. The body is yellowish in colour. A prominent black spot sits on the shoulder, ringed by a lighter outline. The dorsal fin contains one spine and five to seven rays. An adipose fin is also present. Adults can grow up to 45 centimetres in total length.

Where it lives

The species is endemic to the Western Ghats region of India. It inhabits the Kerala backwaters and Vembanad Lake. Rivers such as the Chalakudy, Meenachil, and Nethravathi support populations. It is found in southern Karnataka and the Uttara Kannada district. These fish prefer smooth flowing waters with plenty of vegetation. They live over substrates of mud or sand. Records also show them in deep pools and hill streams within this limited geographic range.

How it lives

It is an unspecialized feeder with a flexible diet. Meals include crustaceans, molluscs, and other fish. Adults may eat terrestrial insects and frogs when available. This variety helps it survive in habitats where food supply changes with the monsoons. Feeding activity rises in the months following the monsoon, from September to December. Rates drop during the monsoon itself, between May and July. This decline likely results from ecological shifts and reduced prey abundance rather than spawning demands.

Breeding and life cycle

Spawning occurs in the months after the monsoon season. In Vembanad Lake, this takes place from September to December. The decrease in feeding during the monsoon coincides with this period but is not directly caused by breeding activities. Instead, environmental changes during the rains reduce the availability of food items. The population genetic structure has been studied using markers, indicating scientific interest in its reproductive and genetic health.

Sun catfish
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Locals call it mannjakoori. It serves as an important food fish in India. The species is also sold in the aquarium trade under names like sun catfish or golden red tail catfish. Other English names include eclipse catfish and bullseye catfish. Its striking appearance makes it popular among hobbyists. However, wild collection and local consumption contribute to pressure on natural stocks.

Status and threats

The IUCN lists this species as Vulnerable. Some assessments have classified it as Endangered. Populations declined significantly in the early 2000s. Threats include overexploitation for food and the pet trade. Habitat alteration and pollution further stress the environment. Anthropogenic pressures in the Western Ghats have reduced numbers. Conservation efforts are needed to address these human impacts on its limited range.

Horabagrus brachysoma
Horabagrus brachysoma. Photo: Ranjith-chemmad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Known as Horabagrus brachysoma or the sun catfish is found in specific rivers in the Western Ghats and this is belongs the Chalakudy River and grows to a length of 18 inch.
Known as Horabagrus brachysoma or the sun catfish is found in specific rivers in the Western Ghats and this is belongs t. Photo: Jan Joseph George, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Horabagrus brachysoma is a species of catfish endemic to India
Horabagrus brachysoma is a species of catfish endemic to India. Photo: Ranjith-chemmad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Sun catfish

Where does the sun catfish live?

It is found only in the Western Ghats of India. Specific locations include Kerala backwaters, Vembanad Lake, and rivers like the Chalakudy and Nethravathi. It prefers smooth flowing water with vegetation and muddy or sandy bottoms.

What does the sun catfish eat?

It is an unspecialized feeder. Its diet includes crustaceans, molluscs, and other fish. Adults also consume terrestrial insects and frogs. This flexible diet helps it adapt to seasonal changes in food availability caused by monsoons.

Is the sun catfish endangered?

The IUCN considers it Vulnerable, though some classify it as Endangered. Populations dropped in the early 2000s due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. It faces pressure from both the food market and the aquarium trade.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Horabagrus brachysoma", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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