This species’ distribution is unclear although individuals from the aquarium trade are said to have been collected in the Tenasserim river basin in Tananthayi Region, southern Myanmar.

Type locality is ‘supposedly from Tananthayi district, Tananthayi River basin, obtained dead from aquarium fish vendor at Meik’.

There is considerable confusion surrounding the identity of B. bagarius with its name having been widely applied to a relatively small species that is said to reach only 200 mm SL and considered to be common in northern India and much of Indochina.

This species is clearly unsuitable for the home aquarium given its eventual size and natural behaviour, and we know of only a handful of private aquarists with the facilities required to house it long-term.

The grouping currently contains four species but is in urgent need of review with a number of additional taxa thought to exist and B. yarrelli possibly representing a synonym of B. bagarius.

This species is also referred to as ‘giant’, ‘great’, ‘cobra’, or ‘Indian’ snakehead.

Although currently-considered to be distributed throughout much of southern Asia it is widely-accepted to represent a complex of related species in need of additional research.

A number of geographical variants exhibiting diffe…

Known only from the Ataran River system in Kayin state, Myanmar.

The Ataran forms the headwaters of part of the larger Salween drainage, and some of its tributaries extend across the nearby border into Thailand, where it’s known as the Kasat.

Type locality is ‘Stream ”Chon Son’ between Kyondaw and Phadaw, about 20 kilometers north…

This unidentified species was first collected in 2007 but very little is known about it.

The vernacular name refers to the colour pattern on the body which resembles that of a giraffe, and it’s known to be collected in Myanmar although its distribution and natural habitat remain a mystery.

Thrives in an aquarium set up to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn rocks, sand, fine gravel and perhaps some small boulders.

This can be further furnished with driftwood roots or branches, and while the majority of aquatic plants will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor.

This species is sometimes referred to as ‘Hora danio’ or Salween danio’.

It is distinguished from similar-looking species by a combination of characters as follows: lateral line complete or incomplete with 22-33 pored scales; absence of infraorbital process; 7 branched dorsal-fin rays; usually 10 or 11 branched anal-fin rays; barbels absent or rudimentary; flank markings comprising a series of narrow vertical bars on the anterior portion of each flank, fol…

Prefers a dimly-lit aquarium with plenty of cover in the form of live plants, driftwood branches, terracotta pipes, plant pots, etc., arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies, and shaded spots.

Surface vegetation such as Ceratopteris spp. is also appreciated and makes the fish less inclined to conceal themselves.

This unidentified species first appeared in the aquarium trade during 2009.

It’s easily told apart from similar-looking congeners by the patches of vivid red pigmentation surrounding the eye and sides of the mouth plus the thick, reddish, marginal band in the caudal-fin.