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Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) — Amphiliidae

Marbled mountain catfish

Amphilius jacksonii
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Fast-flowing upper reaches of rivers in East Africa.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Amphilius jacksonii is an African mountain catfish of the family Amphiliidae from East Africa. The species has a flattened, marbled body with barbels around the mouth and reaches about 15 cm. It is a current-loving (rheophilic) species living in clear, well-oxygenated rivers and streams with moderate flow, usually in the upper reaches among large stones and gravel. It is a carnivore feeding mainly on aquatic insects, insect larvae and worms on the bottom. Unlike many catfishes this family lacks strong serrated fin spines, making the species harmless to handle.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marbled mountain catfish?

The Marbled mountain catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Flattened, marbled body adapted to fast-flowing streams; lacks strong fin spines (harmless).

Where does the Marbled mountain catfish live?

The Marbled mountain catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fast-flowing upper reaches of rivers in East Africa.

How big does the Marbled mountain catfish get?

The Marbled mountain catfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Marbled mountain catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled mountain catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Marbled mountain catfish edible?

The Marbled mountain catfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) — Amphiliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) — Amphiliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Dale Kindler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) — Amphiliidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Marbled mountain catfish (Amphilius jacksonii) — Amphiliidae — 5
Mark Allen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK

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All data

Identification

English name
Marbled mountain catfish verified
Scientific name
Amphilius jacksonii
Family
Amphiliidae
Other names
Marbled mountain catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Marbled
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Fast-flowing upper reaches of rivers in East Africa.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Aquatic insects, insect larvae and worms sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Flattened, marbled body adapted to fast-flowing streams; lacks strong fin spines (harmless). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Amphilius

More from the family Amphiliidae

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