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Bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus marmoratus) — Auchenipteridae

Bottlenose catfish

Ageneiosus marmoratus
NE · Not Evaluated

The Bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus marmoratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The bottlenose catfish is a catfish from fresh water of northern South America. The species grows to about 19 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a flattened, broad head and a marbled pattern; notably its barbels are very short. As a nocturnal open-water hunter it swims in rivers and chases small fish and insects. These catfishes practise internal fertilisation. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bottlenose catfish?

The Bottlenose catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Broad flattened head with very short barbels; internal fertilisation

Where does the Bottlenose catfish live?

The Bottlenose catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Northern South America

How big does the Bottlenose catfish get?

The Bottlenose catfish grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Bottlenose catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bottlenose 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 Bottlenose catfish edible?

The Bottlenose catfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bottlenose catfish verified
Scientific name
Ageneiosus marmoratus
Family
Auchenipteridae
Other names
Bottlenose catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Northern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and insects inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal open-water catfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Broad flattened head with very short barbels; internal fertilisation sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Ageneiosus

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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