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6th Edition of
World Congress on Aquaculture, Fisheries & Marine Biology

October 8-10, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan
WAC 2026

Ethological patterns of the Indian blind catfish Horaglanis krishnai Menon (Siluriformes: Clariidae) in captivity.

T V Anna Mercy, Speaker at Fisheries Conferences
T V Anna Mercy
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, India
Title : Ethological patterns of the Indian blind catfish Horaglanis krishnai Menon (Siluriformes: Clariidae) in captivity.

Abstract:

Horaglanis krishnai Menon is a unique, completely blind clariid catfish endemic to the subterranean channels of dug-out wells in Kottayam, Kerala, South India  (Lat. 80 4’N and 100 21’N; Long. 760 13’E and770 38’E).. While siluroid fishes are known for their remarkable adaptability to diverse aquatic habitats, the ethology of stygobitic species remains understudied due to sampling constraints. This study investigates the baseline behavioral patterns of H. krishnai under controlled laboratory conditions. Specimens were collected from the silty substrates of deep wells and housed in heterosexual groups within enriched laboratory tanks mimicking their natural environment (27–28°C, sand-and-pebble substrate). Quantitative and qualitative observations were conducted to evaluate four core ethological parameters: locomotion, comfort behavior, feeding strategies, and light sensitivity. Despite total blindness, H. krishnai exhibited distinct photophilic/photophobic sensitivity to light stimuli. Furthermore, the fish demonstrated a precise predatory feeding habit, unerringly capturing Chironomus larvae. This target localization is facilitated by highly developed tactile and olfactory systems that compensate for visual aphotic conditions. This presentation details the experimental frameworks, behavioral matrices, and evolutionary implications of these sensory adaptations in subterranean teleosts.

Biography:

Dr. T.V. Anna Mercy studied M.Sc. Marine Biology at Cochin University, Kerala, India. She received Ph. D from Kerala University in 1982. Her Ph. D work was on a unique Indian blind clariid fish Horaglanis krishnai Menon that dwells only in subterranean wells at Kottayam, Kerala. She became the Junior Assistant Professor at College of Fisheries, Kerala Agricultural University, Panangad in 1984 & became Professor in 2002. She pioneered research on Indigenous fresh water Ornamental Fishes of the Western Ghats of India, developed captive breeding technology for 15 prioritized fresh water species including Sahyadria denisonii , which is a much sought after ornamental fish in the international market. It is popularly known as “Miss Kerala”.  She has published about 100 research papers including 50 in peer reviewed journals and authored/co authored many books. Presented research papers on different aspects of  ornamental fishes in several international conferences at Brazil, Oregon, USA,  China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iceland, Netherland, China, Srilanka, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and  Australia.

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