Home · Malapteruridae · Teugels' electric catfish
Teugels' electric catfish (Malapterurus teugelsi) — Malapteruridae

Teugels' electric catfish

Malapterurus teugelsi

The Teugels' electric catfish (Malapterurus teugelsi) is a freshwater fish of the family Malapteruridae that grows up to 21 cm.

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

Description

Teugels' electric catfish is an electric catfish (Malapteruridae) from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a stocky, sausage-shaped, grey-brown body with barbels, small eyes and no dorsal fin. Beneath the skin lies a powerful electric organ with which it stuns prey and defends itself. As a nocturnal bottom predator it hunts fish and crustaceans in turbid water. On contact it can deliver a powerful electric shock.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Teugels' electric catfish?

The Teugels' electric catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Teugels' electric catfish live?

The Teugels' electric catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Teugels' electric catfish get?

The Teugels' electric catfish grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Teugels' electric catfish dangerous to humans?

The Teugels' electric catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Teugels sidderwels sourced
English name
Teugels' electric catfish sourced
Scientific name
Malapterurus teugelsi
Family
Malapteruridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Malapterurus

More from the family Malapteruridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →