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Tenbarbed banjo (Aspredinichthys tibicen) — Aspredinidae

Tenbarbed banjo

Aspredinichthys tibicen
Family: Aspredinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tenbarbed banjo (Aspredinichthys tibicen) is a brackish-water fish of the family Aspredinidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24.3 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The tenspine banjo catfish is a South American catfish of the banjo catfish family (Aspredinidae) from the north-eastern coast of South America. The species grows to about 24 cm and has a strongly flattened front and a long, thin tail, together shaped like a banjo, with a rough skin. It lives mainly in brackish water on soft mud and sand bottoms of estuaries and coastal waters. As a bottom searcher it feeds on small invertebrates, worms and detritus. In banjo catfishes the female carries the fertilised eggs attached to her belly. The fin spines can prick, so handle the fish with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tenbarbed banjo?

The Tenbarbed banjo has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Tenbarbed banjo live?

The Tenbarbed banjo lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Tenbarbed banjo get?

The Tenbarbed banjo grows to a maximum of about 24 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Tenbarbed banjo dangerous to humans?

No, the Tenbarbed banjo is harmless to humans.

Is the Tenbarbed banjo edible?

The Tenbarbed banjo is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Trompetter-banjomeerval sourced
English name
Tenbarbed banjo verified
Scientific name
Aspredinichthys tibicen
Family
Aspredinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.3 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Aspredinichthys

More from the family Aspredinidae

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