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Estimated driftwood catfish (Centromochlus existimatus) — Auchenipteridae

Estimated driftwood catfish

Centromochlus existimatus

The Estimated driftwood catfish (Centromochlus existimatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Estimated driftwood catfish is a driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae) from slow-flowing fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a sturdy, scaleless, dark body with a broad head, large eyes and stiff barbels. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day under wood, roots and banks and snaps at insects, crustaceans and small fish. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Estimated driftwood catfish?

The Estimated driftwood catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Estimated driftwood catfish live?

The Estimated driftwood catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Estimated driftwood catfish get?

The Estimated driftwood catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Estimated driftwood catfish dangerous to humans?

The Estimated driftwood catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geschat-drijfhoutmeerval sourced
English name
Estimated driftwood catfish sourced
Scientific name
Centromochlus existimatus
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Centromochlus

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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