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Debauwi catfish (Pareutropius buffei) — Schilbeidae

Debauwi catfish

Pareutropius buffei
Family: Schilbeidae
LC · Least Concern

The Debauwi catfish (Pareutropius buffei) is a freshwater fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The debauwi catfish is a schilbid catfish (Schilbeidae) from West Africa, including the Niger basin. The species grows to only about 8 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body with long barbels, an adipose fin and a deeply forked tail with dark stripes. It is a lively, schooling swimmer that mostly stays in the open water column. It feeds on small zooplankton, insects and small invertebrates. It is oviparous and does not guard its eggs. The species is popular in the aquarium hobby and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Debauwi catfish?

The Debauwi catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Debauwi catfish live?

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

How big does the Debauwi catfish get?

The Debauwi catfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Debauwi catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Debauwi catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Debauwi catfish edible?

The Debauwi catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse glasmeerval sourced
English name
Debauwi catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pareutropius buffei
Family
Schilbeidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal 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 Pareutropius

More from the family Schilbeidae

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