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Short barbelled suckermouth (Chiloglanis brevibarbis) — Mochokidae

Short barbelled suckermouth

Chiloglanis brevibarbis
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Short barbelled suckermouth (Chiloglanis brevibarbis) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The short-barbelled suckermouth is a small African catfish from fresh water of East Africa. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a flattened body, short barbels and a sucker-like lower lip with which it clings to stones in fast-flowing water. This keeps it in place in streams and rapids while it grazes algae and small invertebrates from rocks. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Short barbelled suckermouth?

The Short barbelled suckermouth has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Short barbelled suckermouth live?

The Short barbelled suckermouth lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Short barbelled suckermouth get?

The Short barbelled suckermouth grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Short barbelled suckermouth dangerous to humans?

No, the Short barbelled suckermouth is harmless to humans.

Is the Short barbelled suckermouth edible?

The Short barbelled suckermouth is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortbaard-zuigmeerval verified
English name
Short barbelled suckermouth verified
Scientific name
Chiloglanis brevibarbis
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 Chiloglanis

More from the family Mochokidae

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