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Updated: May 26, 2025
Eight species of this genus are described by Dr. Günther in his catalogue. These forms extend from Java and Borneo on the one hand, to Aleppo on the other. He observes, "The occurrence of Indian forms on the West Coast of Africa, such as Periophthalmus, Psettus, Mastacembelus, is of the highest interest, and an almost new fact in our knowledge of the geographical distribution of fishes."
There are two specimens in the British Museum collection, one of which has recently arrived from Amoy; of the other the locality is unknown. See GÜNTHER, Acanthopt. In addition to marine eels, in which the Indian coasts abound, Ceylon has some true fresh-water eels, which never enter the sea. These are known to the natives under the name of Theliya, and to naturalists by that of Mastacembelus.
These facts show that though only one species which is absolutely and exclusively an inhabitant of fresh water is as yet known to be found in distant continents, yet that in several other instances the same species is found in the fresh water of distant continents, and that very often the same genus is so distributed. The genus Mastacembelus belongs to a family of fresh-water Indian fishes.
Aleppo is the most western point of their geographical range, the group being mainly confined to the East-Indian continent and its islands. In Ceylon only one species appears to occur, the Hist. Aleppo, 2nd edit. Mastacembelus armatus. The back is armed with from thirty-five to thirty-nine short, stout spines; there being three others before the anal fin.
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