''Sperata'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of bagrid catfishes.

Species

There are currently six recognized species in this genus: * '' Sperata acicularis''

Ferraris Ferrari S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello. Founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), the company built Auto Avio Costruzioni 815, its first car in 1940, adopted its current name in 1945, and be ...

& Runge, 1999 * '' Sperata aor'' ( F. Hamilton, 1822) - Long-whiskered catfish * '' Sperata aorella'' ( Blyth, 1858) *'' Sperata aorides'' *'' Sperata lamarrii'' * '' Sperata seenghala'' (

Sykes "Sykes" is a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origins, which generally has topographical roots as it original linguistic origin. The name derives from the Old Norse word "sík" or "síkja", meaning a small stream, marshy hollow, or gully. It eventua ...

, 1839) - Giant river-catfish

Distribution

Species of ''Sperata'' are found in southern

Asia Asia ( , ) is the largest continent in the world by both land area and population. It covers an area of more than 44 million square kilometres, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8% of Earth's total surface area. The continent, which ...

from

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

where they are found in a wide variety of water bodies.

Relationship to humans

At least two of the ''Sperata'' species (''S. aor'' & ''S. seenghala'') are sport fish as well as being important

food fish Many species of fish are caught by humans and consumed as food in virtually all regions around the world. Their meat has been an important dietary source of protein and other nutrients in the human diet. The English language does not have a s ...

References

Bagridae Fish of Asia Catfish genera Freshwater fish genera {{bagridae-stub