Fin's Fish Guide
The African glass catfish (Pareutropius debauwi) is a freshwater fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 13 cm.
Fresh water of Central Africa, in the Congo basin, in clear, flowing rivers and creeks.
Description
The African glass catfish is a slender, semi-transparent catfish of the family Schilbeidae (glass catfishes) reaching about 13 cm. Unlike most catfishes it does not live on the bottom but swims actively and restlessly in schools in open water; the silvery body has a dark lengthwise stripe, barbels around the mouth, an adipose fin and a deeply forked tail. The pectoral and dorsal fins bear small spines. The species comes from the Congo basin in Central Africa and lives in clear, flowing rivers and creeks. As an omnivore it eats insects, small crustaceans and plant matter. In the rainy season it spawns. For its lively schooling behaviour it is popular in the aquarium hobby.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the African glass catfish?
The African glass catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender, semi-transparent small glass catfish with a dark longitudinal stripe, barbels and an adipose fin; swims actively in shoals in open water.
Where does the African glass catfish live?
The African glass catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Fresh water of Central Africa, in the Congo basin, in clear, flowing rivers and creeks.
How big does the African glass catfish get?
The African glass catfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.
Is the African glass catfish dangerous to humans?
The African glass catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. The pectoral and dorsal fins bear stout, serrated spines that can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle a caught animal carefully and clean any wound.
Is the African glass catfish edible?
The African glass catfish is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Pareutropius
More from the family Schilbeidae
Want the complete picture on the African glass catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the African glass catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.