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Slender antenna catfish (Heptapterus tenuis) — Heptapteridae

Slender antenna catfish

Heptapterus tenuis
Family: Heptapteridae

The Slender antenna catfish (Heptapterus tenuis) is a fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The slender antenna catfish is a small catfish (Heptapteridae) from fresh water of southeastern South America. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a very elongate, scaleless, eel-like body with three pairs of barbels and a continuous, low fin margin around the tail. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it hides by day among stones and leaf litter of streams and searches at night for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender antenna catfish?

The Slender antenna catfish is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Slender antenna catfish live?

The Slender antenna catfish is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Slender antenna catfish get?

The Slender antenna catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Slender antenna catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender antenna catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender antenna catfish edible?

The Slender antenna catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke nachtmeerval sourced
English name
Slender antenna catfish sourced
Scientific name
Heptapterus tenuis
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Average length (cm)
5.1 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Heptapterus

More from the family Heptapteridae

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