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Dwarf night catfish (Gelanoglanis nanonocticolus) — Auchenipteridae

Dwarf night catfish

Gelanoglanis nanonocticolus

The Dwarf night catfish (Gelanoglanis nanonocticolus) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 2 cm.

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

Description

The dwarf night catfish is a very small driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a slender, pale, semi-translucent body with barbels and small eyes. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives in sand and gravel bottoms of flowing rivers and snaps at tiny invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf night catfish?

The Dwarf night catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Dwarf night catfish live?

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

How big does the Dwarf night catfish get?

The Dwarf night catfish grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Dwarf night catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf night catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-nachtmeerval sourced
English name
Dwarf night catfish sourced
Scientific name
Gelanoglanis nanonocticolus
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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