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Chestnut whiptail catfish (Loricariichthys castaneus) — Loricariidae

Chestnut whiptail catfish

Loricariichthys castaneus
Family: Loricariidae

The Chestnut whiptail catfish (Loricariichthys castaneus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
39.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Chestnut whiptail catfish is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, yellow-brown body, a broad sucker mouth and a long, thin tail stalk. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae, growth and detritus from the bottom and wood; the male carries the eggs beneath the lower lip. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chestnut whiptail catfish?

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

Where does the Chestnut whiptail catfish live?

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

How big does the Chestnut whiptail catfish get?

The Chestnut whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Chestnut whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Chestnut whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kastanje-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Chestnut whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Loricariichthys castaneus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Loricariichthys

More from the family Loricariidae

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