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Rama catfish (Rama rama) — Bagridae

Rama catfish

Rama rama
Family: Bagridae

The Rama catfish (Rama rama) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The rama catfish is a small bagrid catfish (Bagridae) from fresh water of the Ganges and Brahmaputra systems in South Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, grey-brown body with barbels around the mouth and stout, serrated spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it searches rivers and pools for insect larvae, worms and small invertebrates. The fin spines carry a mild venom and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rama catfish?

The Rama catfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Rama catfish live?

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

How big does the Rama catfish get?

The Rama catfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Rama catfish dangerous to humans?

The Rama catfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rama-stekelmeerval sourced
English name
Rama catfish sourced
Scientific name
Rama rama
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
10 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Bagridae

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