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Slender whiptail catfish (Proloricaria prolixa) — Loricariidae

Slender whiptail catfish

Proloricaria prolixa
Family: Loricariidae

The Slender whiptail catfish (Proloricaria prolixa) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The slender whiptail catfish is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the La Plata basin in southern South America. The species grows to about 46 cm and has a strongly flattened, bony-plated, yellow-brown body with a broad sucker mouth and a very long, thin tail stalk. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae, growth and detritus from the bottom and wood in flowing rivers. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender whiptail catfish?

The Slender whiptail catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Slender whiptail catfish live?

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

How big does the Slender whiptail catfish get?

The Slender whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Slender whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke platstaart-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Slender whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Proloricaria prolixa
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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