Home · Claroteidae · Haberer's catfish
Haberer's catfish (Chrysichthys habereri) — Claroteidae

Haberer's catfish

Chrysichthys habereri
Family: Claroteidae
LC · Least Concern

The Haberer's catfish (Chrysichthys habereri) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Haberer's catfish is an African catfish of the family Claroteidae endemic to Cameroon. The species grows to about 29 cm and has a streamlined, silvery-grey to brownish body with barbels around the mouth, an adipose fin and stout fin spines. As a bottom dweller it searches the river bottom for small invertebrates, molluscs, crustaceans and plant matter. Like other catfishes the sharp pectoral and dorsal spines can give painful puncture wounds, so careful handling is advised. Chrysichthys catfishes are of local fishery importance. The species is safe to eat.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haberer's catfish?

The Haberer's catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Haberer's catfish live?

The Haberer's catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Haberer's catfish get?

The Haberer's catfish grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Haberer's catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Haberer's catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Haberer's catfish edible?

Yes, the Haberer's catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Haberers klauwmeerval sourced
English name
Haberer's catfish sourced
Scientific name
Chrysichthys habereri
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 Chrysichthys

More from the family Claroteidae

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