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Loach catfish (Paramphilius baudoni) — Amphiliidae

Loach catfish

Paramphilius baudoni
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Loach catfish (Paramphilius baudoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Baudon's loach catfish is a loach catfish (Amphiliidae) from West-Central Africa. The species is small and has an elongate, slender body with barbels and a flattened belly, adapted to life on the bottom of running water. Unlike many other catfishes it lacks strong, serrated fin spines. It lives among stones in streams and small rivers and forages for insect larvae and small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Loach catfish?

The Loach catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Loach catfish live?

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

How big does the Loach catfish get?

The Loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Loach catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Loach catfish edible?

The Loach catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Baudons lapjesmeerval sourced
English name
Loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Paramphilius baudoni
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Paramphilius

More from the family Amphiliidae

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