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Highfin pimelodella (Pimelodella altipinnis) — Heptapteridae

Highfin pimelodella

Pimelodella altipinnis
Family: Heptapteridae
DD · Data Deficient

The Highfin pimelodella (Pimelodella altipinnis) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The highfin pimelodella is a small catfish from the Essequibo basin in Guyana in South America. The species grows to only about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body with very long barbels, characteristic of the antenna catfishes. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives in tropical fresh water. Like other catfishes it bears pectoral and dorsal fin spines. Owing to insufficient data the IUCN lists the species as Data Deficient (DD).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highfin pimelodella?

The Highfin pimelodella has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Highfin pimelodella live?

The Highfin pimelodella lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Highfin pimelodella get?

The Highfin pimelodella grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Highfin pimelodella dangerous to humans?

No, the Highfin pimelodella is harmless to humans.

Is the Highfin pimelodella edible?

The Highfin pimelodella is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Essequibo-antennemeerval verified
English name
Highfin pimelodella verified
Scientific name
Pimelodella altipinnis
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 Pimelodella

More from the family Heptapteridae

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