''Kryptopterus cryptopterus'' (blue sheatfish) is a species of

catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive ...

, the type species of the genus ''

Kryptopterus ''Kryptopterus'' is a genus of catfishes belonging to the family Siluridae. They are found in freshwater throughout Southeast Asia. The scientific name comes from Ancient Greek ''kryptós'' (κρυπτός, "hidden") + ''ptéryx'' (πτέρυ� ...

''. It can be distinguished from all its congeners, with the exception of the newly split ''

Kryptopterus geminus ''Kryptopterus geminus'' is a species of catfish belonging to the family Siluridae. It can be distinguished from all its congeners, with the exception of '' Kryptopterus cryptopterus'', by the almost flat dorsal profile with no concavity behind th ...

'', by the almost flat

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal c ...

profile with no concavity behind the head. This species grows to a length of SL. This distinctively shaped, translucent fish is found in

Peninsular Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia ( ms, Semenanjung Malaysia; Jawi: سمننجڠ مليسيا), or the States of Malaya ( ms, Negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu; Jawi: نڬري-نڬري تانه ملايو), also known as West Malaysia or the Malaysian Peninsula, ...

Borneo Borneo (; id, Kalimantan) is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. At the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia, in relation to major Indonesian islands, it is located north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and ea ...

and Sumatra. Specimens from

Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailan ...

, Laos,

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

and

Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making i ...

previously assigned to this species are now recognized as a separate species, ''K. geminus''. ''K. cryptopterus'' can be distinguished from this close relative by its broader head, shorter snout, shorter anal fin and eyes located much more ventrally.

As food

In Thailand it is one of the catfish species known in the markets as ''Pla Nuea On'' (ปลาเนื้ออ่อน), highly valued as food in the local cuisine for its delicate flesh. This fish is also often used for making

fish ball Fish balls are rounded meat balls made from fish paste which are then boiled or deep fried. Similar in composition to fishcake, fish balls are often made from fish mince or surimi, salt, and a culinary binder such as tapioca flour, corn, or p ...

s.14 Thai Fishes and their preparation styles
/ref>

References

External links

Bangkok Post - All fished out
Siluridae Fish of Asia Freshwater fish of Indonesia Freshwater fish of Malaysia Fish of Thailand Fish described in 1851 {{catfish-stub IUCN Red List least concern species

As food

See also

References

External links