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Peppered dwarf catfish (Imparfinis piperatus) — Heptapteridae

Peppered dwarf catfish

Imparfinis piperatus
Family: Heptapteridae

The Peppered dwarf catfish (Imparfinis piperatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The Peppered dwarf catfish is a long-whiskered catfish (Heptapteridae) from clear, flowing streams and rivers of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, scaleless, grey-brown body with three pairs of long barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches among gravel, sand and leaf litter for insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Peppered dwarf catfish?

The Peppered dwarf 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 Peppered dwarf catfish live?

The Peppered dwarf catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Peppered dwarf catfish get?

The Peppered dwarf catfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Peppered dwarf catfish dangerous to humans?

The Peppered dwarf 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
Peppered dwarf catfish sourced
Scientific name
Imparfinis piperatus
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
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 Imparfinis

More from the family Heptapteridae

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