Home · Heptapteridae · Longtail antenna catfish
Longtail antenna catfish (Chasmocranus longior) — Heptapteridae

Longtail antenna catfish

Chasmocranus longior
Family: Heptapteridae
LC · Least Concern

The Longtail antenna catfish (Chasmocranus longior) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Chasmocranus longior is a small catfish of the family Heptapteridae from northern South America. The species has an elongate, tapering body with barbels and a mottled, brownish pattern, and reaches about 17 cm. It lives in creeks with rocky bottoms and in zones where the water level changes strongly, where it hides under stones and among water plants such as Podostemaceae by day. Like other Heptapteridae the colour pattern provides excellent camouflage on the bottom. As a bottom dweller it feeds on small invertebrates and insect larvae. Owing to its secretive habits little is known about its biology.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longtail antenna catfish?

The Longtail antenna catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Longtail antenna catfish live?

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

How big does the Longtail antenna catfish get?

The Longtail antenna catfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Longtail antenna catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longtail antenna catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Longtail antenna catfish edible?

The Longtail antenna catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langstaart-bergmeerval sourced
English name
Longtail antenna catfish sourced
Scientific name
Chasmocranus longior
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chasmocranus

More from the family Heptapteridae

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