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Slender sand catfish (Andersonia leptura) — Amphiliidae

Slender sand catfish

Andersonia leptura
Family: Amphiliidae

The Slender sand catfish (Andersonia leptura) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

Description

The slender sand catfish is a small mountain-stream catfish (Amphiliidae) from fast-flowing and temporary fresh water of West Africa, including the Sahel. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an extremely slender, elongate, sandy body with barbels and small eyes, adapted to move among sand and gravel. As a bottom-dweller it searches in streams and wadis for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender sand catfish?

The Slender sand catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Slender sand catfish live?

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

How big does the Slender sand catfish get?

The Slender sand catfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Slender sand catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender sand catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke woestijnmeerval sourced
English name
Slender sand catfish sourced
Scientific name
Andersonia leptura
Family
Amphiliidae
Other names
Whiptailed Nile catfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.6 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
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
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

More from the family Amphiliidae

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