Stinging Catfish is a common fish of swamps, ponds, and tanks of low country of both wet and dry zone. Sometime it can be found even in brackish water. Copper red color of young fishes (pic above and referred as Rathu Hunga[Red Hunga]) changes to the dark brown with two yellow lateral bands of the adults. Uniform yellow color forms are also occurs (Refers as Kaha[Yellow] Hunga in vernacular language) and assumes as adults in sexual maturity. When handling it can inflict painful wounds by its pectoral spines. Stinging Catfish is an omnivorous fish.
