Fin's Fish Guide
The Golden Nile catfish (Chrysichthys auratus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 57 cm.
Fresh and brackish water of West and Central Africa, in rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries with a soft bottom; tolerates brackish water.
Description
The golden Nile catfish is a bottom catfish of the family Claroteidae reaching about 57 cm. The sturdy, golden-yellow to brownish body has four pairs of barbels around the inferior mouth, an adipose fin and stout, serrated spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins. The species comes from West and Central Africa and lives on soft bottoms of rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries; it tolerates brackish water. Mainly at night it probes the bottom with its barbels for insect larvae, molluscs, crustaceans, small fish and plant matter. The parents make a nest pit and guard the eggs and young. With its tasty flesh the golden Nile catfish is an important commercial and aquaculture fish in West Africa.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Golden Nile catfish?
The Golden Nile catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Bottom catfish with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and a golden-yellow tint; sturdy spines in the pectoral and dorsal fin.
Where does the Golden Nile catfish live?
The Golden Nile catfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh and brackish water of West and Central Africa, in rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries with a soft bottom; tolerates brackish water.
How big does the Golden Nile catfish get?
The Golden Nile catfish grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.
Is the Golden Nile catfish dangerous to humans?
The Golden Nile catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. The pectoral and dorsal fins bear stout, serrated spines that can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle a caught animal carefully and clean any wound.
Is the Golden Nile catfish edible?
Yes, the Golden Nile catfish is a highly prized food fish.
More photos
Want the complete picture on the Golden Nile catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Golden Nile catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Chrysichthys
More from the family Claroteidae
Want the complete picture on the Golden Nile catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Golden Nile catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.