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Swampfish (Chologaster cornuta) — Amblyopsidae

Swampfish

Chologaster cornuta
Family: Amblyopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Swampfish (Chologaster cornuta) is a freshwater fish of the family Amblyopsidae that grows up to 7 cm.

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

Description

The swampfish is a small fish of the cavefish family (Amblyopsidae) from the southeastern United States. Unlike its fully blind cave-dwelling relatives this species still has small, functional eyes and some pigment. By day it shelters among vegetation and leaf litter in swamps, sloughs and quiet pools and backwaters of streams; at night it becomes more active. It feeds on small invertebrates such as water fleas and insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Swampfish?

The Swampfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Swampfish live?

The Swampfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Swampfish get?

The Swampfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Swampfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Swampfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Swampfish edible?

The Swampfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Moerasvis sourced
English name
Swampfish verified
Scientific name
Chologaster cornuta
Family
Amblyopsidae
Other names
Swampfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No 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
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Amblyopsidae

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