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Brown woodcat (Tatia brunnea) — Auchenipteridae

Brown woodcat

Tatia brunnea
LC · Least Concern

The Brown woodcat (Tatia brunnea) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Quiet creeks of northern South America.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Tatia brunnea is a small catfish of the family Auchenipteridae (driftwood catfishes) from northern South America. The species has a stocky, brownish body with barbels and reaches about 12 cm. It is rather rare and inhabits the calm parts of creeks, where it hides among wood and leaves by day and becomes active at night. The diet consists of small invertebrates and insects. Characteristic of this family is internal fertilisation: the female can store sperm after mating. The species co-occurs in some places with the related Tatia intermedia and is difficult to distinguish from it.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown woodcat?

The Brown woodcat has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Nocturnal driftwood catfish with internal fertilisation; hides among wood during the day.

Where does the Brown woodcat live?

The Brown woodcat lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Quiet creeks of northern South America.

How big does the Brown woodcat get?

The Brown woodcat grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Brown woodcat dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown woodcat 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 Brown woodcat edible?

The Brown woodcat is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Brown woodcat sourced
Scientific name
Tatia brunnea
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Quiet creeks of northern South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and insects sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Nocturnal driftwood catfish with internal fertilisation; hides among wood during the day. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Tatia

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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