Home · Pimelodidae · Highwatermark catfish
Highwatermark catfish (Hypophthalmus marginatus) — Pimelodidae

Highwatermark catfish

Hypophthalmus marginatus
Family: Pimelodidae

The Highwatermark catfish (Hypophthalmus marginatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The highwatermark catfish is a catfish (Pimelodidae) from large rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 56 cm and has a laterally compressed, silvery body with large eyes, an upturned mouth and long barbels. Unlike most catfishes it filters zooplankton from open water with fine gill rakers. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highwatermark catfish?

The Highwatermark catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Highwatermark catfish live?

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

How big does the Highwatermark catfish get?

The Highwatermark catfish grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Highwatermark catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Highwatermark catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Highwatermark catfish edible?

Yes, the Highwatermark catfish is commonly eaten.

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
Zilveren highwater-meerval sourced
English name
Highwatermark catfish sourced
Scientific name
Hypophthalmus marginatus
Family
Pimelodidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Hypophthalmus

More from the family Pimelodidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →