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Bove's catfish (Phractura bovei) — Amphiliidae

Bove's catfish

Phractura bovei
Family: Amphiliidae

The Bove's catfish (Phractura bovei) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Bove's catfish is a small, slender catfish (Amphiliidae) from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a very elongate, tapering body with rows of bony platelets and barbels. As a bottom-dweller it lives in clear, flowing streams and rivers among sand, gravel and roots and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bove's catfish?

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

Where does the Bove's catfish live?

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

How big does the Bove's catfish get?

The Bove's catfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Bove's catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bove's catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Naald-doornmeerval sourced
English name
Bove's catfish sourced
Scientific name
Phractura bovei
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No 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

Same genus Phractura

More from the family Amphiliidae

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