Home · Clariidae · Mutsindozi eel catfish
Mutsindozi eel catfish (Clariallabes mutsindoziensis) — Clariidae

Mutsindozi eel catfish

Clariallabes mutsindoziensis
Family: Clariidae

The Mutsindozi eel catfish (Clariallabes mutsindoziensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Mutsindozi eel catfish is an air-breathing catfish (Clariidae) from swamps, slow-flowing rivers and pools of the Malagarasi drainage in East Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, eel-like, dark body with strongly reduced fins, small eyes and barbels. With an air-breathing organ it can survive in oxygen-poor water and even briefly on moist land. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it snaps at insect larvae, worms, small fish and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mutsindozi eel catfish?

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

Where does the Mutsindozi eel catfish live?

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

How big does the Mutsindozi eel catfish get?

The Mutsindozi eel catfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Mutsindozi eel catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Mutsindozi eel catfish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mutsindozi-aalmeerval sourced
English name
Mutsindozi eel catfish sourced
Scientific name
Clariallabes mutsindoziensis
Family
Clariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Clariallabes

More from the family Clariidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →