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Comb loach catfish (Tetracamphilius pectinatus) — Amphiliidae

Comb loach catfish

Tetracamphilius pectinatus
Family: Amphiliidae

The Comb loach catfish (Tetracamphilius pectinatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The comb loach catfish is a slender mountain-stream catfish (Amphiliidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, elongate body with bony platelets, barbels and broad pectoral fins, adapted to cling to stones in current. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives among rocks and gravel of clear streams and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Comb loach catfish?

The Comb loach catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Comb loach catfish live?

The Comb loach catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Comb loach catfish get?

The Comb loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Comb loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Comb loach catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kam-bandmeerval sourced
English name
Comb loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Tetracamphilius pectinatus
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Tetracamphilius

More from the family Amphiliidae

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