SIRIPED CATFISH
Siriped Catfish are a diverse group of fish. Named for their prominent , which give the image of cat-like whiskers, they are found primarily in freshwater environments of all kinds, with species on every continent except Antarctica. Some species from the families Ariidae and Plotosidae are also found in marine environments. They feature some of the smallest known vertebrates, including the candiru, the only vertebrate parasite to attack humans, as well as Mekong giant catfish, the largest reported freshwater fish. There are armour-plated types and also naked types, neither having scales. Not all catfish families have prominent barbels; what defines a fish as being in the order Siluriformes are certain features of the skull and swimbladder.
Physical characteristics
Catfish have no scales. All catfish, except members of Malapteruridae (electric catfish), possess a strong, hollow, bonified leading ray on their dorsal and pectoral fins, through which a stinging protein can be delivered if the fish is irritated . In members of the family Plotosidae, and of the genus Heteropneustes, this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans unfortunate enough to receive a sting. In many catfish, these fins may be held open and locked in place.
Catfish belong to a superorder called the Ostariophysi, which also includes the Cypriniformes, Characiformes, Gonorynchiformes and Gymnotiformes (although some place Gymnotiformes as a sub-order of Siluriformes). As of 2005 there are 37 catfish families, and around 2,000 species have been described, although this number is in constant flux due to taxonomic work on the order.
Catfish as food
In Asia, many catfish species are important as food. Several walking catfish (Clariidae) and shark catfish (Pangasiidae) species are heavily cultured in Africa and Asia. Exports of one particular shark catfish species from Vietnam, Pangasius bocourti, has met with pressures from the U.S. catfish industry. In 2003, The U.S. Congress passed a law preventing the imported fish from being labeled as catfish.As a result, the Vietnamese exporters of this fish now label their products sold in the U.S. as "basa fish." In Indonesia catfish are very popular food. They are usually served grilled in street stalls called warung and eaten with vegetables, the dish is called Pecel Lele. (Lele is the indonesian word for catfish)
Catfish as aquarium fish
There is a large and growing ornamental fish trade, with hundreds of species of catfish, especially the genus Corydoras, being a popular component of many aquaria. Other catfish commonly found in the aquarium trade are armored suckermouth catfish, banjo catfish, talking catfish, and long-whiskered catfish.
Common silver barb
Other common names:
Java Barb.
Tawes.
Thai Silver Barb.
Identification:
Complete body silvery with a golden or brown tint.
Grey-yellow dorsal and caudal fins, and light orange anal and pelvic fins.
A deep and robust body with a small head and a pointed snout.
Typical location:
Bottom to midwater in slow flowing or standing waters
of lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs.
Fishing methods:
Float or bottom fishing with dough, weed or maggots.
Fighting characteristics:
Short but very quick pulls with constant direction changes
The fish production parameters of five polyculture combinations, consisting of small and large silver barb, Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker), small and large Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and small common carp, Cyprinus carpio L, fingerlings in three replicates, were investigated in a rice-fish culture experiment (duration 149 days) conducted in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The survival rate was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the polyculture combination, but when grouped according to species, the mean survival of silver barb and tilapia was 64.3% and 63.7%, respectively, significantly higher than the mean common carp survival rate (33.4%). The growth of silver barb and tilapia was proportionally related to the stocking density, probably because of intraspecific competition and a synergistic interaction between silver barb and tilapia. The growth of common carp was not significantly different among the polyculture combinations. The highest net production (474.1 kg ha−1) was obtained in the polyculture combination consisting of 80% small-sized silver barb fingerlings, but the fish was not marketable at that time. In concurrent rice-fish culture, it is recommended to raise large silver barb fingerlings. Small tilapia can be polycultured with silver barb, provided a stocking density lower than 1400 ha−1. Common carp is considered less suitable because of a limited tolerance for the water quality conditions in the ricefield and the large size required by the market.
Creative by
Nakhonsawan Provincial Administration Organiaztion www.nakhonsawanpao.org
Tel. 0-5680-3567-70 connect 701
