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Slender dwarf catfish (Rhamdella longiuscula) — Heptapteridae

Slender dwarf catfish

Rhamdella longiuscula
Family: Heptapteridae

The Slender dwarf catfish (Rhamdella longiuscula) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The slender dwarf catfish is a long-whiskered catfish (Heptapteridae) from fresh water of southeastern South America. The species grows to about 12 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 over sand and mud of rivers and streams 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 Slender dwarf catfish?

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

Where does the Slender dwarf catfish live?

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

How big does the Slender dwarf catfish get?

The Slender dwarf catfish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Slender dwarf catfish dangerous to humans?

The Slender dwarf catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke antennemeerval sourced
English name
Slender dwarf catfish sourced
Scientific name
Rhamdella longiuscula
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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 sourced
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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Heptapteridae

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