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Veiled walking catfish (Encheloclarias velatus) — Clariidae

Veiled walking catfish

Encheloclarias velatus
Family: Clariidae

The Veiled walking catfish (Encheloclarias velatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The veiled walking catfish is a small air-breathing catfish (Clariidae) from blackwater peat swamps of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, dark brown-black, eel-like body with barbels and long dorsal and anal fins. With an air-breathing organ it can live in the oxygen-poor, acidic water. As a bottom-dweller it searches among leaf litter and roots for small invertebrates and larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Veiled walking catfish?

The Veiled walking catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Veiled walking catfish live?

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

How big does the Veiled walking catfish get?

The Veiled walking catfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Veiled walking catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Veiled walking catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Veen-kieuwpaling-meerval sourced
English name
Veiled walking catfish sourced
Scientific name
Encheloclarias velatus
Family
Clariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded 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 inferred
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

Same genus Encheloclarias

More from the family Clariidae

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