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Daget's catfish (Chrysichthys dageti) — Claroteidae

Daget's catfish

Chrysichthys dageti
Family: Claroteidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Daget's catfish (Chrysichthys dageti) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Freshwater of West Africa; rivers and streams.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Daget's catfish is an African claroteid catfish (Claroteidae) from rivers and lakes of West Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a sturdy, scaleless, greyish body with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and a flattened head. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud for insect larvae, molluscs, crustaceans and small fish. It is locally an important food fish. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Daget's catfish?

The Daget's catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Nocturnal bottom-dwelling catfish of West Africa; vulnerable due to habitat loss.

Where does the Daget's catfish live?

The Daget's catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Freshwater of West Africa; rivers and streams.

How big does the Daget's catfish get?

The Daget's catfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Daget's catfish dangerous to humans?

The Daget's catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection.

Is the Daget's catfish edible?

Yes, the Daget's catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Daget's catfish sourced
Scientific name
Chrysichthys dageti
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Natural range
Freshwater of West Africa; rivers and streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae, small invertebrates and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Nocturnal bottom-dwelling catfish of West Africa; vulnerable due to habitat loss. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection. 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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