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Major catfish (Glyptothorax major) — Sisoridae

Major catfish

Glyptothorax major
Family: Sisoridae

The Major catfish (Glyptothorax major) is a freshwater fish of the family Sisoridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Major catfish is a hillstream catfish (Sisoridae) from fast-flowing fresh water of snelstromende rivieren van Zuid- en Zuidoost-Azie. The species grows to about fast-flowing rivers of South and Southeast Asia cm and has a flattened, grey-brown body with barbels, an inferior mouth and stout dorsal and pectoral spines, adapted to life among stones in flowing water. As a bottom-dweller it searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The sharp fin spines can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Major catfish?

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

Where does the Major catfish live?

The Major catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Major catfish get?

The Major catfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Major catfish dangerous to humans?

The Major catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Major catfish edible?

The Major catfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grote bergmeerval sourced
English name
Major catfish sourced
Scientific name
Glyptothorax major
Family
Sisoridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
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 Glyptothorax

More from the family Sisoridae

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