Home · Amphiliidae · Congo loach catfish
Congo loach catfish (Congoglanis alula) — Amphiliidae

Congo loach catfish

Congoglanis alula
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Congo loach catfish (Congoglanis alula) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 14 cm.

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

Description

Congoglanis alula is a small African catfish of the family Amphiliidae (loach catfishes) from the Congo basin. The species has an elongate, brown mottled body with barbels and reaches about 14 cm. It is strongly adapted to fast-flowing water and shelters by day beneath large rocks, close to where the water breaks over the stones; at night it moves over the tops of the rocks. The diet consists of small invertebrates and insect larvae grazed from the substrate. Owing to its small size and remote habitat the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Congo loach catfish?

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

Where does the Congo loach catfish live?

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

How big does the Congo loach catfish get?

The Congo loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Congo loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Congo loach catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Congo loach catfish edible?

The Congo loach catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Congo-loopmeerval sourced
English name
Congo loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Congoglanis alula
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
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 Amphiliidae

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