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Shaggy banjo catfish (Ernstichthys intonsus) — Aspredinidae

Shaggy banjo catfish

Ernstichthys intonsus
Family: Aspredinidae

The Shaggy banjo catfish (Ernstichthys intonsus) is a freshwater fish of the family Aspredinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

Description

The shaggy banjo catfish is a small banjo catfish (Aspredinidae) from slow-flowing fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a flattened, broad head tapering into a thin tail and a shaggy skin set with flaps and tubercles that camouflages it among leaf litter. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lies still and hidden and snaps at small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shaggy banjo catfish?

The Shaggy banjo catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Shaggy banjo catfish live?

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

How big does the Shaggy banjo catfish get?

The Shaggy banjo catfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Shaggy banjo catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Shaggy banjo catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruige banjomeerval sourced
English name
Shaggy banjo catfish sourced
Scientific name
Ernstichthys intonsus
Family
Aspredinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

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

More from the family Aspredinidae

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