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Black lancer catfish (Bagrichthys hypselopterus) — Bagridae

Black lancer catfish

Bagrichthys hypselopterus
Family: Bagridae

The Black lancer catfish (Bagrichthys hypselopterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The black lancer catfish is a bagrid catfish (Bagridae) from fresh water of Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a slender, velvety-black, scaleless body with a strikingly high, sail-like dorsal fin, long barbels and a deeply forked tail. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among roots and wood and searches for worms, insect larvae and detritus at night. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black lancer catfish?

The Black lancer catfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Black lancer catfish live?

The Black lancer catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

How big does the Black lancer catfish get?

The Black lancer catfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Black lancer catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black lancer catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Black lancer catfish edible?

Yes, the Black lancer catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Black lancer catfish sourced
Scientific name
Bagrichthys hypselopterus
Family
Bagridae
Other names
Blacklancer catfish; Black lancer verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bagrichthys

More from the family Bagridae

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