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Leopard driftwood catfish (Glanidium leopardum) — Auchenipteridae

Leopard driftwood catfish

Glanidium leopardum

The Leopard driftwood catfish (Glanidium leopardum) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Leopard driftwood catfish is a driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae) from slow-flowing fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a sturdy, scaleless, dark body with a broad head, large eyes and stiff barbels. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day under wood, roots and banks and snaps at insects, crustaceans and small fish. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard driftwood catfish?

The Leopard driftwood catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Leopard driftwood catfish live?

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

How big does the Leopard driftwood catfish get?

The Leopard driftwood catfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Leopard driftwood catfish dangerous to humans?

The Leopard driftwood catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Leopard driftwood catfish edible?

The Leopard driftwood catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luipaard-drijfhoutmeerval sourced
English name
Leopard driftwood catfish sourced
Scientific name
Glanidium leopardum
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
10.9 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glanidium

More from the family Auchenipteridae

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