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Torrent catfish (Liobagrus marginatus) — Amblycipitidae

Torrent catfish

Liobagrus marginatus

The Torrent catfish (Liobagrus marginatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Amblycipitidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The torrent catfish is a small torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of southern China. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, smooth, yellow-brown body with barbels, small eyes and confluent rear fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among stones of mountain streams and hunts insect larvae and small invertebrates by night. The pectoral and dorsal spines are venomous and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Torrent catfish?

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

Where does the Torrent catfish live?

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

How big does the Torrent catfish get?

The Torrent catfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Torrent catfish dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stroomversnellings-meerval sourced
English name
Torrent catfish sourced
Scientific name
Liobagrus marginatus
Family
Amblycipitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.8 verified
Average length (cm)
9.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Liobagrus

More from the family Amblycipitidae

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