TankBud

Yarrell's goonch

Bagarius yarrelli

Also known as Giant devil catfish, Yarrelli goonch, Giant goonch

FreshwaterFish

Yarrell's goonch (Bagarius yarrelli)
R. Mintern · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–75°F
18–24°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
78.7 in
200 cm
Minimum tank
1,057 gal
4,000 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Sisoridae
Origin
Found in fast-flowing rivers of South and Southeast Asia, from the Ganges to the Mekong.

Overview

The Yarrell's goonch is one of the ultimate monster catfish. Only experienced keepers with purpose-built systems should consider one.

Did you know

Goonches from the Kali River on the India and Nepal border gained notoriety after a run of attacks on people. The attacks fed the legend of a giant catfish big enough to drag a swimmer under.

Caring for the Yarrell's goonch

The Yarrell's goonch belongs only in an enormous custom system or a public aquarium. Plan on at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L), and realistically far more. It needs cool, fast, extremely well-oxygenated water that almost no home tank can provide.

Give it strong flow and high oxygen, with the temperature on the cool side at 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). Keep the pH at 6.5 to 7.5. The mismatch between these needs and a typical warm tropical tank is why it so often fails in captivity.

It is an aggressive predator that will eat any tank mate it can catch. Keep it alone.

Good to know

Bagarius yarrelli is a giant sisorid that can weigh over 100 kg, among the largest of all catfish adapted to fast water. It is built for torrents, with a flattened body and a huge mouth. Wild populations are under pressure from dams and habitat loss. It is also called the giant devil catfish or giant goonch.

In the wild

The Yarrell's goonch lives in fast, rocky rivers across South and Southeast Asia, from the Ganges to the Mekong. It grips the bottom in strong current and ambushes prey.

Common questions

What size tank does a Yarrell's goonch need?

A Yarrell's goonch needs at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Yarrell's goonch need?

A Yarrell's goonch is comfortable at 64–75°F (18–24°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

How big does a Yarrell's goonch get?

An adult Yarrell's goonch reaches about 78.7 in (200 cm).

Related species