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Banded corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) — Callichthyidae

Banded corydoras

Scleromystax barbatus
LC · Least Concern

The Banded corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern Brazil; clear coastal streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bearded catfish is an armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from southeastern Brazil. The species has a stocky body armoured with two rows of bony plates, with barbels; in the spawning season males bear bristly projections on the cheeks. It inhabits clear coastal streams and searches the bottom for worms, insect larvae and other small bottom life. The stout, partly serrated pectoral fin spines can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded corydoras?

The Banded corydoras has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Armoured body; males with bristly cheek outgrowths, stinging pectoral fin spines.

Where does the Banded corydoras live?

The Banded corydoras lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeastern Brazil; clear coastal streams.

How big does the Banded corydoras get?

The Banded corydoras grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Banded corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded corydoras is harmless to humans. Not venomous, but the stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected.

Is the Banded corydoras edible?

The Banded corydoras is not usually eaten.

More photos

Banded corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) — Callichthyidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Diogo Luiz, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) — Callichthyidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Henry Miller Alexandre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) — Callichthyidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gabi Astorga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) — Callichthyidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Birger A (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Banded corydoras verified
Scientific name
Scleromystax barbatus
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Bearded catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Natural range
Southeastern Brazil; clear coastal streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms, insect larvae and plant/detrital material sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Armoured body; males with bristly cheek outgrowths, stinging pectoral fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
Not venomous, but the stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Callichthyidae

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