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Helmet catfish (Cranoglanis bouderius) — Cranoglanididae

Helmet catfish

Cranoglanis bouderius

The Helmet catfish (Cranoglanis bouderius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cranoglanididae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The helmet catfish is a catfish (Cranoglanididae) from fresh water of southern China and northern Vietnam in East Asia. The species grows to about 43 cm and has an elongate, greyish, scaleless body with a bony shield on the head, four pairs of barbels and a deeply forked tail. As a nocturnal bottom predator it migrates through rivers and hunts insect larvae, crustaceans and small fish. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Helmet catfish?

The Helmet catfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Helmet catfish live?

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

How big does the Helmet catfish get?

The Helmet catfish grows to a maximum of about 43 cm.

Is the Helmet catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Helmet catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Helm-meerval sourced
English name
Helmet catfish sourced
Scientific name
Cranoglanis bouderius
Family
Cranoglanididae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

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