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Catfish (Synodontis filamentosus) — Mochokidae

Catfish

Synodontis filamentosus
Family: Mochokidae
LC · Least Concern

The Catfish (Synodontis filamentosus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The squeaker catfish is a squeaker catfish (Mochokidae) from West Africa. The species has a stocky, dark body with a bony-armoured head, an adipose fin, three pairs of barbels and a thread-like elongated dorsal fin spine. It lives bottom-bound in rivers and searches by touch for insect larvae, molluscs and plant matter. When handled it can make a squeaking sound with the pectoral fin spines. The stout fin spines can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Catfish?

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

Where does the Catfish live?

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

How big does the Catfish get?

The Catfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Catfish edible?

Yes, the Catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draadvin-kattenmeerval sourced
English name
Catfish verified
Scientific name
Synodontis filamentosus
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Synodontis

More from the family Mochokidae

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