Home · Heptapteridae · Blind cave catfish
Blind cave catfish (Pimelodella kronei) — Heptapteridae

Blind cave catfish

Pimelodella kronei
Family: Heptapteridae
VU · Vulnerable

The Blind cave catfish (Pimelodella kronei) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

Want the complete picture on the Blind cave catfish?

Get the app

Description

The blind cave catfish is a three-barbeled catfish (Heptapteridae) endemic to a cave system in southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, pale, almost pigmentless body with strongly reduced, often absent eyes and long barbels, adapted to perpetual darkness. With the barbels it feels in still cave pools for small invertebrates. Due to its very restricted range the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blind cave catfish?

The Blind cave catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Blind cave catfish live?

The Blind cave catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Blind cave catfish get?

The Blind cave catfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Blind cave catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blind cave 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blind cave catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blind cave catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Blind cave catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pimelodella kronei
Family
Heptapteridae
Other names
Blind catfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 Pimelodella

More from the family Heptapteridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blind cave catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blind cave catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Blind cave catfish? Get the app