Home · Loricariidae · Guiana whiptail catfish
Guiana whiptail catfish (Harttia guianensis) — Loricariidae

Guiana whiptail catfish

Harttia guianensis
Family: Loricariidae

The Guiana whiptail catfish (Harttia guianensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Guiana whiptail catfish is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Guianas in South America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a strongly flattened, bony-plated, yellow-brown body with a broad sucker mouth and a long, thin tail stalk. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones in the current and rasps algae and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guiana whiptail catfish?

The Guiana whiptail catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Guiana whiptail catfish live?

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

How big does the Guiana whiptail catfish get?

The Guiana whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Guiana whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Guiana whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guyaanse platstaart-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Guiana whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Harttia guianensis
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →