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Broadmouth whiptail catfish (Cteniloricaria platystoma) — Loricariidae

Broadmouth whiptail catfish

Cteniloricaria platystoma
Family: Loricariidae

The Broadmouth whiptail catfish (Cteniloricaria platystoma) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 20 cm.

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

Description

The broadmouth whiptail catfish is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Suriname and French Guiana. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, yellow-brown body with a broad sucker mouth and a long, thin tail stalk. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones in the current and rasps algae and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadmouth whiptail catfish?

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

Where does the Broadmouth whiptail catfish live?

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

How big does the Broadmouth whiptail catfish get?

The Broadmouth whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Broadmouth whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadmouth whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Breedbek-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Broadmouth whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Cteniloricaria platystoma
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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