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Mandeville's suckermouth catfish (Atopochilus mandevillei) — Mochokidae

Mandeville's suckermouth catfish

Atopochilus mandevillei
Family: Mochokidae

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish (Atopochilus mandevillei) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Africa: Congo Dem Rp

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Description

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish is a suckermouth catfish (Mochokidae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened body with a large, sucking lower lip with which it clings to rocks in strong current and rasps off algae, with fringed barbels. As a bottom-dweller it lives in oxygen-rich mountain rivers. The stout pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish live?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Congo Dem Rp

How big does the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish get?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish dangerous to humans?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection.

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All data

Identification

English name
Mandeville's suckermouth catfish sourced
Scientific name
Atopochilus mandevillei
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Congo Dem Rp sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Atopochilus

More from the family Mochokidae

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