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Dissident whiptail (Harttia dissidens) — Loricariidae

Dissident whiptail

Harttia dissidens
Family: Loricariidae

The Dissident whiptail (Harttia dissidens) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 15 cm.

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

Description

The Dissident whiptail is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of eastern coastal rivers of Brazil. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown-speckled body that tapers into a long, thin tail, with a sucker mouth underneath. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones and wood in clear rivers and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dissident whiptail?

The Dissident whiptail has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Dissident whiptail live?

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

How big does the Dissident whiptail get?

The Dissident whiptail grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Dissident whiptail dangerous to humans?

No, the Dissident whiptail is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afwijkende harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Dissident whiptail sourced
Scientific name
Harttia dissidens
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

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

Same genus Harttia

More from the family Loricariidae

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