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Claroteid catfish (Chrysichthys aluuensis) — Claroteidae

Claroteid catfish

Chrysichthys aluuensis
Family: Claroteidae
EN · Endangered

The Claroteid catfish (Chrysichthys aluuensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 9 cm.

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

Description

The Aluu claroteid catfish is an African catfish (Claroteidae) from the fresh waters of West Africa. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with an adipose fin, barbels and stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines. It lives bottom-bound in rivers and searches at night by touch for insect larvae, molluscs, small fishes and plant matter. Owing to a limited range and habitat loss the species is considered endangered. The stout, partly serrated fin spines can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Claroteid catfish?

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

Where does the Claroteid catfish live?

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

How big does the Claroteid catfish get?

The Claroteid catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Claroteid catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Claroteid catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Claroteid catfish edible?

Yes, the Claroteid catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Aluu-glansmeerval sourced
English name
Claroteid catfish sourced
Scientific name
Chrysichthys aluuensis
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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

Same genus Chrysichthys

More from the family Claroteidae

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