Home · Amblycipitidae · Mekong torrent catfish
Mekong torrent catfish (Amblyceps foratum) — Amblycipitidae

Mekong torrent catfish

Amblyceps foratum

The Mekong torrent catfish (Amblyceps foratum) is a freshwater fish of the family Amblycipitidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Mekong torrent catfish is a small torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, scaleless, yellow-brown body with barbels and a slightly notched tail. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among stones and gravel and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates at night. The pectoral and dorsal spines can cause a painful puncture wound; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mekong torrent catfish?

The Mekong torrent catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Mekong torrent catfish live?

The Mekong torrent catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Mekong torrent catfish get?

The Mekong torrent catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Mekong torrent catfish dangerous to humans?

The Mekong torrent catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mekong-bergbeekmeerval sourced
English name
Mekong torrent catfish sourced
Scientific name
Amblyceps foratum
Family
Amblycipitidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom 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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Amblyceps

More from the family Amblycipitidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →