Home · Amphiliidae · Speckled mountain catfish
Speckled mountain catfish (Amphilius lentiginosus) — Amphiliidae

Speckled mountain catfish

Amphilius lentiginosus
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Speckled mountain catfish (Amphilius lentiginosus) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The speckled mountain catfish is a small African catfish from fresh water of southern Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, flattened body with a broad head, barbels and a finely speckled, mottled pattern. As a bottom-dweller it holds onto sand and stones in clear, fast-flowing mountain streams and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Speckled mountain catfish?

The Speckled mountain catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Speckled mountain catfish live?

The Speckled mountain catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Speckled mountain catfish get?

The Speckled mountain catfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Speckled mountain catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled mountain catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Speckled mountain catfish edible?

The Speckled mountain catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sproetige bergmeerval verified
English name
Speckled mountain catfish verified
Scientific name
Amphilius lentiginosus
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Amphilius

More from the family Amphiliidae

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