PlanetCatfish.com - Belodontichthys dinema (Siluridae) Cat-eLog

Juvenile (15cm TL)
Close-up of teeth
Close-up of eye
Close-up of head
Dorsal view fo head

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Belodontichthys dinema** (Bleeker, 1851)
Common Name
Type Locality	Bandjarmasin [Banjarmasin], Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia.
Synonym(s)	Belodontichthys macrochir, Wallago dinema
Pronunciation	Bee law dawn tick thees - dai neem ah
Etymology	From the Greek belos, meaning arrow, odontos, meaning tooth and ichthyos, meaning fish; in reference to the distinctive arrowhead-shaped teeth. The specific epithet comes from the Latin dis, meaning two and the Greek nema, meaning thread; in reference to the prominent maxillary barbels.
Articles	- CotM 2006 October
Species Information
Size	1000mm or 39.4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Distinguished from B. truncatus in having a longer pectoral fin, head and snout.
Sexing	Males are more slender and have strong serrations on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine (females lack these serrations).
Habitat Information
Distribution	Asia: Thailand to Indonesia. Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Sumatra Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Borneo Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Pacific, Malaysia Waters, Peninsular Malaysia Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH	5.6 - 7.0
Temperature	22.0-27.0°C or 71.6-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Clean water needed. Sensitive to bad water conditions.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Obligate piscivores. Does not seem to take any food other than live fish, which they snap up with sudden upward lunges. User data.
Furniture	Provide large open areas as this is an actively-swimming fish. Some vegetation for it to hide in during the day will be ideal. They are good leapers, so a tight-fitting, heavy cover for the tank is necessary.
Compatibility	Best kept alone, as it will eat any other tankmates able to fit its mouth.
Breeding	Not reported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië v. 2 (no. 2), pp 202.
Registered Keepers	There are 3 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is but a single wish to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up B. dinema on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up B. dinema on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.7.147.760
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:38 (species record created: 2001 Dec 01 00:00)