Chaca chaca (Hamilton, 1822)
Squarehead catfish
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Chacidae (Squarehead or angler catfish)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 4 - 25, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaya and Indonesia (Ref. 41236). Reported from Myanmar (Ref. 4537).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits rivers, beels, canals and ponds (Ref. 1479). Prefers soft substrates where it lies concealed in the soft mire of the river bed. It depends upon this concealment for protection and will not even move when it is touched lightly. Lies quietly on the bottom until some prey comes along (Ref. 6868). Apparently a worm-like appendix at the fringe of the mouth is used to attract prey (Ref. 50926). Fairly common in catches, but is not eaten perhaps due to its ugly appearance.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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