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Atesu loach catfish (Amphilius atesuensis) — Amphiliidae

Atesu loach catfish

Amphilius atesuensis
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Atesu loach catfish (Amphilius atesuensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa, in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams and rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Amphilius atesuensis is a small loach catfish (family Amphiliidae) of West Africa. The species reaches about 9 cm and has an elongate, flattened, brown mottled body with barbels. Unlike many catfishes it lacks strong, serrated fin spines and is harmless to handle. It lives on the bottom of fast-flowing, well-oxygenated streams and rivers and feeds on aquatic insect larvae and small invertebrates. Because of its small size the species is of no fishery value. Little is known in detail about its reproduction.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atesu loach catfish?

The Atesu loach catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Bottom-dwelling walking catfish of fast-flowing waters; lacks strong fin spines.

Where does the Atesu loach catfish live?

The Atesu loach catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. West Africa, in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams and rivers.

How big does the Atesu loach catfish get?

The Atesu loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Atesu loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Atesu loach catfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Atesu loach catfish edible?

The Atesu loach catfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Atesu loach catfish (Amphilius atesuensis) — Amphiliidae — 2
Mark Allen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Atesu loach catfish (Amphilius atesuensis) — Amphiliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Karsten Mody, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Atesu loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Amphilius atesuensis
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Marbled
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
West Africa, in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams and rivers.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Aquatic insect larvae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Bottom-dwelling walking catfish of fast-flowing waters; lacks strong fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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