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Jerdon's catfish (Hara jerdoni) — Erethistidae

Jerdon's catfish

Hara jerdoni
Family: Erethistidae

The Jerdon's catfish (Hara jerdoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Erethistidae that grows up to 4 cm.

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

Description

The Jerdon's 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 Jerdon's catfish?

The Jerdon's catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Jerdon's catfish live?

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

How big does the Jerdon's catfish get?

The Jerdon's catfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Jerdon's catfish dangerous to humans?

The Jerdon's catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Jerdons dwergmeerval sourced
English name
Jerdon's catfish sourced
Scientific name
Hara jerdoni
Family
Erethistidae
Other names
Sylhet hara sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Average length (cm)
2.5 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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