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Pale driftwood catfish (Glanidium albescens) — Auchenipteridae

Pale driftwood catfish

Glanidium albescens

The Pale driftwood catfish (Glanidium albescens) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Pale driftwood catfish is a driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae) from slow-flowing fresh water of the Parana basin in southeastern South America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a sturdy, scaleless, dark body with a broad head, large eyes and stiff barbels. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day under wood, roots and banks and snaps at insects, crustaceans and small fish. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale driftwood catfish?

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

Where does the Pale driftwood catfish live?

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

How big does the Pale driftwood catfish get?

The Pale driftwood catfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Pale driftwood catfish dangerous to humans?

The Pale driftwood catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bleke drijfhoutmeerval sourced
English name
Pale driftwood catfish sourced
Scientific name
Glanidium albescens
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glanidium

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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