Family : Heteropneustidae (Airsac catfishes)
Order : Siluriformes  (catfish)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name :
Fish Name : Heteropneustes microps
Max size : 15.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 6028)
Environment : demersal
Climate : tropical; 22 - 26°C; 8°N - 7°N
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec < 10,000)Distribution : Asia: known to be endemic to Sri Lanka (Ref. 6028), but recorded from India (Ref. 4833, 43640).
Diagnosis :
Biology : Adults occur mainly in swamps and similar still, often turbid waters (e.g. irrigation ditches). Form loose schools of about ten individuals of approximately the same size. Enter brackish water. Can survive temperatures up to 39.8°C (Ref. 7256). An omnivore with nocturnal feeding habits. Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family (Ref. 205). Very easily maintained in captivity. Sympatric with H. fossilis which is more abundant in the type locality. Best method of catch is dewatering of small water holes during drought period
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Pethiyagoda, R.. 1991. (Ref. 6028)

India country information
Common Names : தேளீ, Thelee
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater
Uses : no uses