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White-spotted talking catfish (Agamyxis albomaculatus) — Doradidae

White-spotted talking catfish

Agamyxis albomaculatus
Family: Doradidae

The White-spotted talking catfish (Agamyxis albomaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Doradidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The white-spotted talking catfish is a thorny or talking catfish (Doradidae) from fresh water of the Orinoco and Amazon basins in South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, dark body dotted with white spots, a row of stout, thorny bony plates along the flank and powerful, serrated pectoral spines; by moving these it can make a grunting sound. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches for molluscs, insect larvae and detritus. The sharp spines and thorny plates can inflict a wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White-spotted talking catfish?

The White-spotted talking catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the White-spotted talking catfish live?

The White-spotted talking catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the White-spotted talking catfish get?

The White-spotted talking catfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the White-spotted talking catfish dangerous to humans?

The White-spotted talking catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the White-spotted talking catfish edible?

Yes, the White-spotted talking catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witstip-doornmeerval sourced
English name
White-spotted talking catfish sourced
Scientific name
Agamyxis albomaculatus
Family
Doradidae
Other names
Spotted raphael catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Pattern
Spots 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

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Agamyxis

More from the family Doradidae

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