Genus of fishes
Olyra is a genus of catfishes of the family Bagridae. This genus occurs throughout South Asia and western Indochina, from India to western Thailand.
In Asia, "Olyra" species are known as fighting catfish; they are placed in small aquaria to battle one another similar to Siamese fighting fish, and money is bet on the outcome.
Taxonomy.
The genus "Olyra" is considered by some authorities to belong to the family Bagridae, though Olyridae is considered valid by Fishbase. The taxonomic status of "O. colletii" has been a puzzle. It was first described in 1881 by Franz Steindachner as "Heptapterus collettii" and marked as neotropical in origin. With examination, though, it was determined to more closely match members of "Olyra". It may even be a junior synonym of "Olyra longicaudata". "O. kempi" is treated in some literature as a synonym of "O. longicaudata".
Species.
There are currently 8 recognized species in this genus:
References.
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