Home · Amphiliidae · Marbled mountain catfish
Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) — Amphiliidae

Marbled mountain catfish

Amphilius jacksonii
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Amphilius jacksonii is an African mountain catfish of the family Amphiliidae from East Africa. The species has a flattened, marbled body with barbels around the mouth and reaches about 15 cm. It is a current-loving (rheophilic) species living in clear, well-oxygenated rivers and streams with moderate flow, usually in the upper reaches among large stones and gravel. It is a carnivore feeding mainly on aquatic insects, insect larvae and worms on the bottom. Unlike many catfishes this family lacks strong serrated fin spines, making the species harmless to handle.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marbled mountain catfish?

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

Where does the Marbled mountain catfish live?

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

How big does the Marbled mountain catfish get?

The Marbled mountain catfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Marbled mountain catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled mountain catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Marbled mountain catfish edible?

The Marbled mountain catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gemarmerde bergmeerval sourced
English name
Marbled mountain catfish verified
Scientific name
Amphilius jacksonii
Family
Amphiliidae
Other names
Marbled mountain catfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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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