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Nile suckermouth catfish (Chiloglanis niloticus) — Mochokidae

Nile suckermouth catfish

Chiloglanis niloticus
Family: Mochokidae

The Nile suckermouth catfish (Chiloglanis niloticus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Nile suckermouth catfish is a small suckermouth catlet (Mochokidae) from fresh water of the Nile basin in Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a flattened, yellow-brown body with barbels and a sucker-like mouth disc with which it clings to rocks in the current and rasps growth. As a bottom-dweller it lives in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nile suckermouth catfish?

The Nile suckermouth catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Nile suckermouth catfish live?

The Nile suckermouth catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Nile suckermouth catfish get?

The Nile suckermouth catfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Nile suckermouth catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Nile suckermouth catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nijl-zuigmondmeerval sourced
English name
Nile suckermouth catfish sourced
Scientific name
Chiloglanis niloticus
Family
Mochokidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chiloglanis

More from the family Mochokidae

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