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Broadhead pencil catfish (Ituglanis laticeps) — Trichomycteridae

Broadhead pencil catfish

Ituglanis laticeps

The Broadhead pencil catfish (Ituglanis laticeps) is a freshwater fish of the family Trichomycteridae that grows up to 9 cm.

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

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Description

The broadhead pencil catfish is a pencil catfish (Trichomycteridae) from clear streams and rivers of Brazil in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, almost scaleless, yellow-brown body with a slightly broader head, barbels and small eyes. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it creeps and wriggles among gravel, sand and leaf litter and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadhead pencil catfish?

The Broadhead pencil catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Broadhead pencil catfish live?

The Broadhead pencil catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Ecuador

How big does the Broadhead pencil catfish get?

The Broadhead pencil catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Broadhead pencil catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadhead pencil 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Broadhead pencil catfish sourced
Scientific name
Ituglanis laticeps
Family
Trichomycteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Ecuador 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

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Ituglanis

More from the family Trichomycteridae

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