Order : Siluriformes
Family : SILURIDAE
Species : Silurichthys hasseltii
Maximum Length : 14 cm

This small, elusive catfish inhabits clear, unpolluted, acidic forest streams and freshwater swamp forest habitats.

By day it lies concealed amongst stream-side vegetation or beneath submerged logs or  stream-bed leaf litter. By night it becomes active and can be found patrolling surface water in its search for insects and other foodstuff.

The caudal fin (tail fin) of the species merges unbroken with the long anal fin, forming a single elongated fin which extends along most of the underside of the fish. Undulation of this fin gives the fish an attractive, sinuous swimming motion.

The species ranges from Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Indonesia including Borneo and Sumatra.

Fig 1 : Dark specimen from freshwater swamp forest, Singapore.

Figs 2 and 3 : Pale specimens from freshwater swamp forest, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.


References :

Lim, K.P. and Ng, K.L. 1990. A Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.