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The Asian stinging catfish or fossil cat (Heteropneustes fossilis) is a species of airsac catfish found in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bhutan. It has also been introduced to the Tigris River Basin in Iran.[1]

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Heteropneustes fossilis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Heteropneustidae
Genus:	Heteropneustes
Species:	H. fossilis
Binomial name
Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)
Synonyms
Silurus fossilis Bloch, 1794 8Saccobranchus fossilis (Bloch, 1794) Silurus singio Hamilton, 1822 Saccobranchus singio (Hamilton, 1822) Silurus laticeps Swainson, 1838 Silurus biserratus Swainson, 1839 Saccobranchus microcephalus Günther, 1864

H. fossilis is found mainly in ponds, ditches, swamps, and marshes, but sometimes occurs in muddy rivers. It can tolerate slightly brackish water. It is omnivorous. This species breeds in confined waters during the monsoon, but can breed in ponds, derelict ponds, and ditches when sufficient rain water accumulates. It is in great demand due to its alleged medicinal value.[2]

The stinging catfish is able to deliver a painful sting to humans. Poison from a gland on its pectoral fin spine has been known to be extremely painful.

This species grows to a total length of 30 cm (12 in), and is an important component of local commercial fisheries. It is also farmed and found in the aquarium trade.[2]

In India in Kerala, it is locally called as kadu (Malayalam:കടു) or karri (Malayalam:കാരി). It is highly preferred in Assam and locally known as xingi maas (Assamese: শিঙি মাছ). In Bangladesh, this fish is called singi mach,[3] In Sri Lanka, this fish is called hunga (හුංඟා) [4] by the Sinhala-speaking community.

References

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