[3] It is found in brackish water systems with marginal vegetation in lakes and swamps with a mud substrate of Asian countries Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and probably Myanmar.

Populations of Southeast Asian countries is in debate, due to close morphological similarities among Mystus species in that region.

[3] It grows to a length of 21 cm in maximum.

[3] The population is known to be decreasing in recent past, due to catching, pet trading and habitat destruction.

[3] M. vittatus is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Zeylanechinorhynchus longinuchalis.