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Filament catfish (Hara filamentosa) — Erethistidae

Filament catfish

Hara filamentosa
Family: Erethistidae

The Filament catfish (Hara filamentosa) is a freshwater fish of the family Erethistidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

Description

The Filament catfish is a small sisorid catfish (Sisoridae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of northeastern India and Bangladesh. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a flattened, scaleless body with a broad head, fringed barbels and a groove on the chest with which it clings to stones in current. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches among gravel and stones for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The stout pectoral spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Filament catfish?

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

Where does the Filament catfish live?

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

How big does the Filament catfish get?

The Filament catfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Filament catfish dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draad-dwergmeerval sourced
English name
Filament catfish sourced
Scientific name
Hara filamentosa
Family
Erethistidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 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
Stone or rock 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 Hara

More from the family Erethistidae

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