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Heteropneustidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 477 words | Copyright

Heteropneustidae (airsac catfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Siluriformes) A family of freshwater fish that have four pairs of barbels around the mouth, a single dorsal fin, a very long anal fin, a rounded tail fin, and (especially in the males) poisonous spines (which are dreaded by local fishermen) in the dorsal and pectoral fins. The long air sac extending from the gill chamber is also typical, and gives rise to the alternative name, ‘Saccobranchidae’.

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