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Spotted pencil catfish (Henonemus punctatus) — Trichomycteridae

Spotted pencil catfish

Henonemus punctatus

The Spotted pencil catfish (Henonemus punctatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Trichomycteridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Ecuador, Peru

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Description

The spotted pencil catfish is a pencil catfish (Trichomycteridae) from fresh water of river basins in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, elongate, pale-brown body with fine dark spots, small barbels and spinelets on the gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it wriggles among sand, gravel and roots and snaps at small invertebrates and organic matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted pencil catfish?

The Spotted pencil catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotted pencil catfish live?

The Spotted pencil catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil, Ecuador, Peru

How big does the Spotted pencil catfish get?

The Spotted pencil catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Spotted pencil catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted pencil catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Spotted pencil catfish (Henonemus punctatus) — Trichomycteridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Aleix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted pencil catfish sourced
Scientific name
Henonemus punctatus
Family
Trichomycteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Ecuador, Peru sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Trichomycteridae

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