Home · Amphiliidae · Amphilius pulcher
Amphilius pulcher — Amphiliidae

Amphilius pulcher

Amphilius pulcher
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Amphilius pulcher is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 8 cm.

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

Description

Amphilius pulcher is a small African catfish of the family Amphiliidae from the coastal rivers of Gabon and the Republic of Congo (Ogowe, Nyanga, Kouilou). The species reaches about 8 cm and has a flattened, brown mottled body with barbels around the mouth. It is adapted to life in fast-flowing, rocky mountain streams, where it clings to the bottom against the current. The diet consists of insect larvae and small bottom invertebrates. Amphiliidae lack the strong spines of many other catfishes. Owing to its small size and remote habitat the species is little studied.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amphilius pulcher?

The Amphilius pulcher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Amphilius pulcher live?

The Amphilius pulcher lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Amphilius pulcher get?

The Amphilius pulcher grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Amphilius pulcher dangerous to humans?

No, the Amphilius pulcher is harmless to humans.

Is the Amphilius pulcher edible?

The Amphilius pulcher is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke bergmeerval sourced
English name
Amphilius pulcher sourced
Scientific name
Amphilius pulcher
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →