Goonch (Bagarius lica) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Goonch catfish, Devil catfish
Family
Sisoridae (sisorid catfishes)
Origin
South-east Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo), in large rivers.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
200 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
3–18 dGH (estimated)
Minimum tank
10000 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

Bagarius are the goonch catfishes: large, flattened river catfish with a big mouth, long barbels and a mottled brown pattern for camouflage among stones. Bagarius lica is one of the giants of the genus; FishBase and Wikipedia give a maximum of about 200 cm standard length. Juveniles are occasionally sold, but this is not a fish for home aquariums. In the wild adults live on the bottom of large rivers among boulders, often in the white water of rapids, and migrate upstream in schools before the rainy season (FishBase). Any aquarium would need to be huge (we estimate 10,000 litres or more, as no source gives a figure), with very strong current, high oxygen levels and very powerful filtration. Names: the name goonch is used for several Bagarius species, including Bagarius bagarius and B. yarrelli. Identifying Bagarius to species is difficult, so treat sellers' names with care. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (FishBase, assessed 2022). PlanetCatfish could not be checked for this species, so this page is based on FishBase and Wikipedia. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Bagarius-lica.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagarius). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator. FishBase notes that wild fish feed mainly on prawns, but also take small fish and aquatic insects. In captivity offer prawns, pieces of fish and other seafood. Avoid live feeder fish.

Breeding

Not reported in captivity. FishBase notes that it spawns in rivers before the rainy season.

Compatibility and tank mates

Will eat any fish it can swallow. Only suitable with other very large, robust fish in public-aquarium-sized set-ups.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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