Home · Amphiliidae · Gladys' loach catfish
Gladys' loach catfish (Phractura gladysae) — Amphiliidae

Gladys' loach catfish

Phractura gladysae
Family: Amphiliidae

The Gladys' loach catfish (Phractura gladysae) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Congo

Want the complete picture on the Gladys' loach catfish?

Get the app

Description

Gladys' loach catfish is a slender mountain-stream catfish (Amphiliidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Central Africa. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an extremely slender, elongate body with bony platelets, barbels and a long tail base, adapted to cling to stones in current. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives among rocks and gravel of clear streams and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gladys' loach catfish?

The Gladys' loach catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Gladys' loach catfish live?

The Gladys' loach catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Congo

How big does the Gladys' loach catfish get?

The Gladys' loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Gladys' loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Gladys' 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

Gladys' loach catfish (Phractura gladysae) — Amphiliidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Gladys' loach catfish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Gladys' loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Phractura gladysae
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Congo sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
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

Same genus Phractura

More from the family Amphiliidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Gladys' loach catfish?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Gladys' loach catfish? Get the app