Bagarius yarrelli
Introduction '''''Bagarius yarrelli''''', also known as the '''giant devil catfish''' or '''goonch''', is a very large species of catfish in the genus ''Bagarius'' found in rivers in the Indian subcontinent. The species reaches up to  in length. It may be synonymous with ''B. bagarius''.
Etymology The species is known by many names throughout its range in the Indian subcontinent. It is known as the '''''goonch''''' in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi, '''''baghar''''' or '''''baghair''''' in Bengali and Bihari (these names being the origin of the genus name ''Bagarius''), '''''gauns''''' in Rajasthani, '''''gorua''''' (গৰুৱা) and '''''baghmas''''' (বাঘমাছ) in Assamese and '''''bodh''''' in Chhattisgarhi. Its scientific name commemorates the English naturalist William Yarrell.
Taxonomy The species is frequently taxonomically confused with ''B. bagarius''. ''B. bagarius'' has – perhaps in error – been reported as reaching the same size as ''B. yarrelli'', while others consider ''B. bagarius'' to be a dwarf species that only reaches about . A study published in 2021 found ''B. yarrelli'' to be a junior synonym of ''B. bagarius'', likely necessitating a merge of ''B. yarrelli'' into ''B. bagarius''.
Distribution and habitat leftIt is found in large rivers in the South Asia, including rivers with fast current, particularly in deeper pools near faster current, but never in small streams. It is found in the Indus and Ganges basins as well as most of southern India east of the Western Ghats. Two other populations were also formerly thought to exist in Southeast Asia (one population in the Mekong-Chao Phraya basin and the other from the Xe Bang Fai of Laos south to Indonesia), but a 2021 study found the former to represent a new species ''B. vegrandis'', and the latter to represent the distinct species ''B. lica'', previously synonymized with ''B. yarrelli''.Giant ''Bagarius yarrelli'' (goonch) caught in India.
Threats While still abundant, the species is considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to excessive, unsustainable overharvesting of the species. Hydroelectric projects such as those on the Indravati River may affect the habitat of the species and adversely impact it.
Cultural significance The Order of the Fish was the highest honour of the Mughal Empire and named after this fish. In Chhattisgarh, the species is worshipped by tribal communities such as the Murias and Gonds, and is popularly referred to as the "shark of the Bastar". There have been efforts to name it the official state fish of Chhattisgarh.
See also *Kali River goonch attacks
References
External links *  The Daily Star (Bangladesh): "Giant Baghair caught in Jamuna" (2009)