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Yellowtail whiptail catfish (Fonchiiichthys uracanthus) — Loricariidae

Yellowtail whiptail catfish

Fonchiiichthys uracanthus
Family: Loricariidae

The Yellowtail whiptail catfish (Fonchiiichthys uracanthus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The yellowtail whiptail catfish is a slender armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from clear, flowing rivers of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, bony-plated body tapering into a thin tail, an inferior sucker mouth and often a yellow tail margin. As a bottom-dweller it clings to wood and stones and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowtail whiptail catfish?

The Yellowtail whiptail catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Yellowtail whiptail catfish live?

The Yellowtail whiptail catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Yellowtail whiptail catfish get?

The Yellowtail whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Yellowtail whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowtail whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelstaart-zweepstaartmeerval sourced
English name
Yellowtail whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Fonchiiichthys uracanthus
Family
Loricariidae
Other names
Armored catfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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