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Congo bagrid catfish (Gephyroglanis congicus) — Claroteidae

Congo bagrid catfish

Gephyroglanis congicus
Family: Claroteidae
LC · Least Concern

The Congo bagrid catfish (Gephyroglanis congicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Congo bagrid catfish is a catfish from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 43 cm and has a stocky, scaleless body with a broad, flattened head, three pairs of barbels and an adipose fin. On the dorsal and pectoral fins it bears strong spines that can prick when handled. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches rivers and rapids for insect larvae, crustaceans and small fish. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Congo bagrid catfish?

The Congo bagrid catfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Congo bagrid catfish live?

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

How big does the Congo bagrid catfish get?

The Congo bagrid catfish grows to a maximum of about 43 cm.

Is the Congo bagrid catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Congo bagrid catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Congo bagrid catfish edible?

Yes, the Congo bagrid catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Congo-bagrusmeerval verified
English name
Congo bagrid catfish verified
Scientific name
Gephyroglanis congicus
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netten en handlijnen sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Claroteidae

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