Fin's Fish Guide
The Bagrid catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 65 cm.
Fresh and brackish water of West Africa, in rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries with a soft bottom; tolerates brackish water.
Description
The bagrid catfish is a robust bottom catfish of the family Claroteidae reaching about 65 cm. The sturdy, silvery-grey body has four pairs of barbels around the inferior mouth, an adipose fin and stout, serrated spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins. The species comes from the fresh and brackish water of West Africa and lives on soft bottoms of rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries; it tolerates brackish water. Mainly at night it probes the bottom with its barbels for molluscs, insect larvae, crustaceans, small fish and plant matter. The parents make a nest pit and guard the eggs and young. With its tasty flesh it is an important commercial and aquaculture fish in West Africa; when handling, the sharp fin spines call for care.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Bagrid catfish?
The Bagrid catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Robust bottom catfish with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and sturdy spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins; an important farmed fish in West Africa.
Where does the Bagrid catfish live?
The Bagrid catfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh and brackish water of West Africa, in rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries with a soft bottom; tolerates brackish water.
How big does the Bagrid catfish get?
The Bagrid catfish grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.
Is the Bagrid catfish dangerous to humans?
The Bagrid catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. The pectoral and dorsal fins bear stout, serrated spines that can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle a caught animal carefully and clean any wound.
Is the Bagrid catfish edible?
Yes, the Bagrid catfish is a highly prized food fish.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Chrysichthys
More from the family Claroteidae
Want the complete picture on the Bagrid catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bagrid catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.