Home · Sisoridae · Armenian torrent catfish
Armenian torrent catfish (Glyptothorax armeniacus) — Sisoridae

Armenian torrent catfish

Glyptothorax armeniacus
Family: Sisoridae

The Armenian torrent catfish (Glyptothorax armeniacus) is a freshwater fish of the family Sisoridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Asia: Iran, Türkiye

Want the complete picture on the Armenian torrent catfish?

Get the app

Description

The Armenian torrent catfish is a sisorid catfish (Sisoridae) from fast-flowing, cold fresh water of southwest Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a flattened, scaleless body with a broad head, barbels and a groove or adhesive plate on the chest with which it clings to stones in strong current. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches among rocks and gravel for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The stout pectoral spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Armenian torrent catfish?

The Armenian torrent catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Armenian torrent catfish live?

The Armenian torrent catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Iran, Türkiye

How big does the Armenian torrent catfish get?

The Armenian torrent catfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Armenian torrent catfish dangerous to humans?

The Armenian torrent catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Armenian torrent catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Armenian torrent catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Armenian torrent catfish sourced
Scientific name
Glyptothorax armeniacus
Family
Sisoridae
Other names
Armenian mountain cat verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Iran, Türkiye sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glyptothorax

More from the family Sisoridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Armenian torrent catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Armenian torrent catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Armenian torrent catfish? Get the app