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Hidden mountain catfish (Amphilius cryptobullatus) — Amphiliidae

Hidden mountain catfish

Amphilius cryptobullatus
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hidden mountain catfish (Amphilius cryptobullatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The hidden mountain catfish is a small catfish from fast-flowing streams of Central and southern Africa, including the Congo and Zambezi basins. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a flattened head, scaleless skin and barbels. Adapted to flowing water it holds on among stones and gravel and searches the bottom for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hidden mountain catfish?

The Hidden mountain catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Hidden mountain catfish live?

The Hidden mountain catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Hidden mountain catfish get?

The Hidden mountain catfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Hidden mountain catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Hidden mountain catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Hidden mountain catfish edible?

The Hidden mountain catfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Verborgen bergmeerval verified
English name
Hidden mountain catfish verified
Scientific name
Amphilius cryptobullatus
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Amphilius

More from the family Amphiliidae

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