The present study was conducted to analyze the systematic aspects of catfishes occurring in the Sasthamcottah Lake of Kerala, India. Preliminary taxonomic studies were conducted on the fishes of the genera Horabagrus, Mystus, Wallago, Ompok, Clarias and Heteropneustes. The fishes were examined for meristic counts and metric characters. Studies were also conducted on the diversity and classification of these fishes.