Scientific Name: Osteogeneiosus militaris (Linnaeus, 1758)
English Name: Soldier catfish
Local/Bangla Name: Apuia (আপুইয়া)
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ariidae
Description:
Head is significantly flattened and the head shield is smooth. Palatine teeth are conical with blunt tips, grouped into two large, elliptical patches, one on each side. There are no mental or mandibulary barbels. The maxillary barbel is rigid and extends at least to the base of the pectoral fin. The fin spines are thin. In terms of coloration, the upper part of the body is bluish, while the lower part is white or cream. The margins of the dorsal and adipose fins are dark blue.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Occur in estuaries and the Bay of Bengal. Available in Meghna river near Chandpur during monsoon.
Environment:
Freshwater, Brackish
Comments:
It is also found in marine envirment
References:
Rahman AKA (2005) Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh. 2nd ed. Zool. Soc. Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. xviii + 394 pp.
Siddiqui KU, Islam MA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Ahmed ATA, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hasan MA, Khondker M and Rahman MM (eds.) (2007) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. Vol. 23. Freshwater Fishes. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka. 300+xxxi. pp.
