Long Whiskers Catfish
A brackish water catfish with long barbels found in South and Southeast Asia.
The Long Whiskers Catfish is a species of bagrid catfish native to rivers and estuaries across South and Southeast Asia. Its population has declined recently due to fishing, the pet trade, and loss of habitat.
- Scientific name is Mystus gulio.
- Belongs to the Bagridae family.
- Found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Vietnam.
- Lives in brackish and fresh water.
- Population is decreasing due to catching and habitat loss.
What it is
This fish belongs to the family Bagridae and is commonly called the Long Whiskers Catfish. The name comes from the Latin word for moustache, referring to its very long whisker-like feelers known as barbels. These sensory organs help it find food in murky waters. It is a medium-sized catfish adapted to living in both salty and sweet water environments.
Where it lives
The species occurs across several countries in South and Southeast Asia. Records place it in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Vietnam. It prefers areas where river water meets the sea but also moves fully into freshwater systems. This flexibility allows it to inhabit estuaries and inland rivers alike.
How it lives
It spends much of its time in brackish water before entering fresh water to live. As a catfish, it likely feeds on small organisms found near the bottom. Predators are not listed in the available material.
Breeding and life cycle
Information regarding the growth rate of young fish or specific breeding seasons is also absent from the records.
Fish and people
Humans catch this fish, which contributes to the decline of its numbers. It is also taken for the pet trade, adding further stress to wild populations. Habitat destruction in its home regions poses another major threat to its survival.
Status and threats
The population is known to be decreasing in recent times. The main causes are overcatching, collection for aquariums, and the loss of suitable habitats.
Questions people ask about Long Whiskers Catfish
What kind of fish is the Long Whiskers Catfish?
It is a member of the Bagridae family, which are catfish. The name refers to its long barbels, or whiskers, that resemble a moustache.
Where can this fish be found?
It lives in parts of South and Southeast Asia, specifically in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Vietnam.
Does it live in salt water or fresh water?
It is primarily a brackish water fish but enters and lives in fresh water as well.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mystus gulio", 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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