Long-whiskered catfish
Large Asian catfish prized for food and sport.
The long-whiskered catfish is a large species native to southern Asia. It inhabits rivers in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Anglers target it for sport, while commercial fisheries harvest it for food.
- Grows up to 180 centimetres in length
- Found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar
- Popular gamefish and commercial food source
- Known as aṛ in Bengali and ãri in Assamese
What it is
This creature belongs to the catfish order and falls within the Bagridae family. It features prominent whiskers, which are sensory barbels used to detect food in murky water. The body can reach substantial sizes, with recorded lengths up to 180 centimetres. Its common name reflects these distinctive facial appendages. The fish is native to freshwater systems across southern Asia.
Where it lives
Populations exist in several nations across southern Asia. The range includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. These waters provide the freshwater habitat required for its survival. The species is distributed throughout river systems in these regions, supporting both local ecosystems and human fishing activities.
How it lives
Specific details regarding daily behaviour, schooling habits or dietary preferences are not provided in the available records. As a catfish, it likely uses its barbels to locate prey on riverbeds. It serves as a target for predators and humans alike. Its size suggests it occupies a significant niche within its freshwater environment.
Breeding and life cycle
Information on spawning seasons, egg laying or juvenile development is not included in the current data. Reproductive cycles for this specific species remain unspecified in the provided material. Further study would be needed to understand its breeding biology and growth rates from hatchling to adult.
Fish and people
Local communities value this fish for two main purposes. It is a popular target for sport fishing due to its size and fighting ability. Commercial fisheries also harvest it for human consumption. In Bengal, it is known as aṛ, while Assamese speakers call it ãri. These names reflect its cultural presence in regional languages.
Status and threats
The species remains commercially fished, indicating ongoing exploitation in its native range.
Questions people ask about Long-whiskered catfish
How large does the long-whiskered catfish grow?
This species can reach a maximum length of 180 centimetres. This substantial size makes it a notable catch for both commercial fishermen and sport anglers in its native range.
Where is the long-whiskered catfish found?
It is native to southern Asia. Populations inhabit freshwater systems in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is well established in these regional river networks.
Is the long-whiskered catfish eaten by people?
Yes, it is commercially fished for human consumption. It is valued as a food source in the countries where it lives, contributing to local diets and economies through regular harvests.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Sperata aor", 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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