Home · Pseudopimelodidae · Jaguar driftwood catfish
Jaguar driftwood catfish (Batrochoglanis villosus) — Pseudopimelodidae

Jaguar driftwood catfish

Batrochoglanis villosus

The Jaguar driftwood catfish (Batrochoglanis villosus) is a freshwater fish of the family Pseudopimelodidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The jaguar driftwood catfish is a catfish (Pseudopimelodidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head, three pairs of barbels and a jaguar-like pattern of brown and yellow blotches. As a nocturnal ambush hunter it hides by day among roots and leaf litter and engulfs small fish and large invertebrates at night. The fish is harmless to humans, though the fin spines can prick.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jaguar driftwood catfish?

The Jaguar driftwood catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Jaguar driftwood catfish live?

The Jaguar driftwood catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Jaguar driftwood catfish get?

The Jaguar driftwood catfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Jaguar driftwood catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Jaguar driftwood catfish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Jaguar-antennemeerval sourced
English name
Jaguar driftwood catfish sourced
Scientific name
Batrochoglanis villosus
Family
Pseudopimelodidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Batrochoglanis

More from the family Pseudopimelodidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →