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Bigeye longwhisker catfish (Iheringichthys megalops) — Pimelodidae

Bigeye longwhisker catfish

Iheringichthys megalops
Family: Pimelodidae

The Bigeye longwhisker catfish (Iheringichthys megalops) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The bigeye longwhisker catfish is a long-whiskered catfish (Pimelodidae) from fresh water of the Parana and Paraguay basins in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, silver-grey body with fine dark spots, conspicuously large eyes and very long barbels. As a bottom-dweller it roots in sand and mud bottoms of rivers for molluscs, insect larvae and small invertebrates. The stout, sharp dorsal and pectoral spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye longwhisker catfish?

The Bigeye longwhisker catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bigeye longwhisker catfish live?

The Bigeye longwhisker catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bigeye longwhisker catfish get?

The Bigeye longwhisker catfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Bigeye longwhisker catfish dangerous to humans?

The Bigeye longwhisker catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootoog-antennemeerval sourced
English name
Bigeye longwhisker catfish sourced
Scientific name
Iheringichthys megalops
Family
Pimelodidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
25 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots 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

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

For anglers

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 Iheringichthys

More from the family Pimelodidae

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