Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)

[N]—Giant river-catfish

Taxonomy. Original description: Platystoma seenghala Sykes, 1839: 164 [Deccan, India; no types known)].— Afghanistan synonyms: Bagrus aorinus Valenciennes, 1840; M ystus seenghala (Sykes, 1839); Aorichthys seenghala (Sykes, 1839); Aorichthys aor sarwari Mirza, Nawaz & Javed, 1992 .—Revisions: Jayaram (2006: 31).—Illustration: Talwar & Jhingran (1991: fig.).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Günther (1864); confirmed by Coad (1981: 15 as Mystus seenghala; 2014: 300; 2015: 229).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kabu River.—General distribution: South Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh.—Habitat: This species inhabits larger streams and lakes. Freshwater, brackish.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Ng 2010b).—Threats: FIT.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.