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Tanganyika claroteid catfish (Bathybagrus sianenna) — Claroteidae

Tanganyika claroteid catfish

Bathybagrus sianenna
Family: Claroteidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tanganyika claroteid catfish (Bathybagrus sianenna) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 23 cm.

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

Description

Bathybagrus sianenna is a catfish of the family Claroteidae endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species has an elongate body with barbels and is specialised for a life on sandy bottoms; it reaches about 23 cm. It occurs to about 150 metres deep, but is most common in the sublittoral zone, and is especially abundant in deeper water. As a bottom dweller it feeds on invertebrates and small bottom animals. Like many catfishes it bears strong fin spines. The species is of local importance for subsistence fisheries and is eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tanganyika claroteid catfish?

The Tanganyika claroteid catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tanganyika claroteid catfish live?

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

How big does the Tanganyika claroteid catfish get?

The Tanganyika claroteid catfish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Tanganyika claroteid catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tanganyika claroteid catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Tanganyika claroteid catfish edible?

Yes, the Tanganyika claroteid catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tanganyika-zandmeerval sourced
English name
Tanganyika claroteid catfish sourced
Scientific name
Bathybagrus sianenna
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bathybagrus

More from the family Claroteidae

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