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Zamora woodcat (Auchenipterichthys thoracatus) — Auchenipteridae

Zamora woodcat

Auchenipterichthys thoracatus
LC · Least Concern

The Zamora woodcat (Auchenipterichthys thoracatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The zamora woodcat is a driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae) from South America. The species has a stocky, dark body with pale spots, an adipose fin, barbels and stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal fin spines. It lives near the bottom in rivers and floodplains and shelters among driftwood and roots by day. Nocturnally it feeds on insects, small crustaceans and plant matter. The stout fin spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zamora woodcat?

The Zamora woodcat has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Zamora woodcat live?

The Zamora woodcat lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Zamora woodcat get?

The Zamora woodcat grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Zamora woodcat dangerous to humans?

No, the Zamora woodcat is harmless to humans.

Is the Zamora woodcat edible?

The Zamora woodcat is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zamora-houtmeerval sourced
English name
Zamora woodcat sourced
Scientific name
Auchenipterichthys thoracatus
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

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

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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