Home · Bagridae · Hemibagrus macropterus
Hemibagrus macropterus — Bagridae

Hemibagrus macropterus

Hemibagrus macropterus
Family: Bagridae
LC · Least Concern

The Hemibagrus macropterus is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 54 cm.

Length
54.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Hemibagrus macropterus is a catfish of the family Bagridae from East Asia, occurring in the river systems of China, including the Yangtze. The species reaches about 54 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, brown-grey body with four pairs of long barbels with which it probes the bottom in the dark. It is a bottom dweller that hunts small fishes, insect larvae and crustaceans. In front of the pectoral and dorsal fins it bears stout, sharp spines that can cause painful punctures when handled. The species is caught locally as a food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hemibagrus macropterus?

The Hemibagrus macropterus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Hemibagrus macropterus live?

The Hemibagrus macropterus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Hemibagrus macropterus get?

The Hemibagrus macropterus grows to a maximum of about 54 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Hemibagrus macropterus dangerous to humans?

The Hemibagrus macropterus can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Hemibagrus macropterus edible?

Yes, the Hemibagrus macropterus is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootvin-stekelmeerval sourced
English name
Hemibagrus macropterus sourced
Scientific name
Hemibagrus macropterus
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
54.2 verified
Average length (cm)
7.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hemibagrus

More from the family Bagridae

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