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Ubangi bagrid (Bagrus ubangensis) — Bagridae

Ubangi bagrid

Bagrus ubangensis
Family: Bagridae
LC · Least Concern

The Ubangi bagrid (Bagrus ubangensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
31.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ubangi bagrid is an African catfish of the family Bagridae from the Congo basin. The species grows to about 32 cm and has a streamlined body with barbels around the mouth, an adipose fin and stout fin spines. It lives on muddy bottoms and feeds on mud and small fishes. The fish is hard to catch on a hook and is mostly taken at night over muddy bottoms. The flesh is tasty when smoked. Like other catfishes the sharp pectoral and dorsal spines can cause painful injuries, so careful handling is advised.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ubangi bagrid?

The Ubangi bagrid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ubangi bagrid live?

The Ubangi bagrid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ubangi bagrid get?

The Ubangi bagrid grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Ubangi bagrid dangerous to humans?

No, the Ubangi bagrid is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ubangi-meerval sourced
English name
Ubangi bagrid sourced
Scientific name
Bagrus ubangensis
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 Bagrus

More from the family Bagridae

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