Home · Amphiliidae · Dwarf loach catfish
Dwarf loach catfish (Trachyglanis minutus) — Amphiliidae

Dwarf loach catfish

Trachyglanis minutus
Family: Amphiliidae

The Dwarf loach catfish (Trachyglanis minutus) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Congo Dem Rp

Want the complete picture on the Dwarf loach catfish?

Get the app

Description

The dwarf loach catfish is a small hillstream catfish (Amphiliidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, brown-mottled body with a flat head, three pairs of barbels and sturdy pectoral fins, adapted to life among stones in flowing water. As a bottom-dweller it snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf loach catfish?

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

Where does the Dwarf loach catfish live?

The Dwarf loach catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Congo Dem Rp

How big does the Dwarf loach catfish get?

The Dwarf loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Dwarf loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf loach catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Dwarf loach catfish (Trachyglanis minutus) — Amphiliidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Dwarf loach catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dwarf loach catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Trachyglanis minutus
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Congo Dem Rp sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Amphiliidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Dwarf loach catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dwarf loach catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Dwarf loach catfish? Get the app