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Flathead bagrid (Hemibagrus planiceps) — Bagridae

Flathead bagrid

Hemibagrus planiceps
Family: Bagridae

The Flathead bagrid (Hemibagrus planiceps) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
33.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Flathead bagrid is a bagrid catfish (Bagridae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown body with long barbels, an adipose fin and stout, serrated spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. As a nocturnal bottom predator it searches rivers for insect larvae, worms, crustaceans and small fish. The fin spines carry a mild venom and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead bagrid?

The Flathead bagrid has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Flathead bagrid live?

The Flathead bagrid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flathead bagrid get?

The Flathead bagrid grows to a maximum of about 34 cm.

Is the Flathead bagrid dangerous to humans?

The Flathead bagrid is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-stekelmeerval sourced
English name
Flathead bagrid sourced
Scientific name
Hemibagrus planiceps
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.5 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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
Venomous / poisonous verified

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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