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Spotted bagrid (Chrysichthys punctatus) — Claroteidae

Spotted bagrid

Chrysichthys punctatus
Family: Claroteidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotted bagrid (Chrysichthys punctatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 16 cm.

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

Description

Chrysichthys punctatus is a small African catfish of the family Claroteidae from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species has an elongate body with a spotted or speckled pattern, barbels around the mouth and reaches about 15 cm. As a bottom dweller of rivers and creeks it feeds on a range of benthic animals, including invertebrates, insect larvae and plant matter. Like many catfishes it bears strong fin spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins that can inflict painful puncture wounds if handled carelessly. The species is oviparous and of limited local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted bagrid?

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

Where does the Spotted bagrid live?

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

How big does the Spotted bagrid get?

The Spotted bagrid grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Spotted bagrid dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted bagrid is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotted bagrid edible?

The Spotted bagrid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestippelde bagrijs sourced
English name
Spotted bagrid sourced
Scientific name
Chrysichthys punctatus
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Chrysichthys

More from the family Claroteidae

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