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Akama's dwarf banjo catfish (Micromyzon akamai) — Aspredinidae

Akama's dwarf banjo catfish

Micromyzon akamai
Family: Aspredinidae

The Akama's dwarf banjo catfish (Micromyzon akamai) is a freshwater fish of the family Aspredinidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Akama's dwarf banjo catfish is a tiny banjo catfish (Aspredinidae) from large, fast-flowing rivers of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has a flattened, broad body tapering into a thin tail, a rough skin and small eyes, perfectly adapted to life among deep sand and gravel. As a bottom-dweller it roots through sediment and snaps at small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Akama's dwarf banjo catfish?

The Akama's dwarf banjo catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Akama's dwarf banjo catfish live?

The Akama's dwarf banjo catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Akama's dwarf banjo catfish get?

The Akama's dwarf banjo catfish grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Akama's dwarf banjo catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Akama's dwarf banjo catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Akamais dwergbanjomeerval sourced
English name
Akama's dwarf banjo catfish sourced
Scientific name
Micromyzon akamai
Family
Aspredinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Aspredinidae

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