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Eastern bagrid catfish (Bagrus orientalis) — Bagridae

Eastern bagrid catfish

Bagrus orientalis
Family: Bagridae

The Eastern bagrid catfish (Bagrus orientalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 45 cm.

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

Description

The eastern bagrid catfish is a bagrid catfish (Bagridae) from fresh water of rivers in East Africa. The species grows to about 45 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown, scaleless body with four pairs of barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom predator it migrates through rivers and hunts small fish, crustaceans and insect larvae. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern bagrid catfish?

The Eastern bagrid catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Eastern bagrid catfish live?

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

How big does the Eastern bagrid catfish get?

The Eastern bagrid catfish grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Eastern bagrid catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern bagrid catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Eastern bagrid catfish edible?

Yes, the Eastern bagrid catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oost-Afrikaanse bagride meerval sourced
English name
Eastern bagrid catfish sourced
Scientific name
Bagrus orientalis
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
44.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bagrus

More from the family Bagridae

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