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Mandeville's suckermouth catfish (Atopochilus mandevillei) — Mochokidae

Mandeville's suckermouth catfish

Atopochilus mandevillei
Family: Mochokidae

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish (Atopochilus mandevillei) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish is a suckermouth catfish (Mochokidae) from fast-flowing, clear fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened body with a large, sucking lower lip with which it clings to rocks in strong current and rasps off algae, with fringed barbels. As a bottom-dweller it lives in oxygen-rich mountain rivers. The stout pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish live?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish get?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Mandeville's suckermouth catfish dangerous to humans?

The Mandeville's suckermouth catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mandevilles zuigmondmeerval sourced
English name
Mandeville's suckermouth catfish sourced
Scientific name
Atopochilus mandevillei
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal 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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Atopochilus

More from the family Mochokidae

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