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Threadfin dwarf catfish (Imparfinis nemacheir) — Heptapteridae

Threadfin dwarf catfish

Imparfinis nemacheir
Family: Heptapteridae

The Threadfin dwarf catfish (Imparfinis nemacheir) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Threadfin dwarf catfish is a long-whiskered catfish (Heptapteridae) from clear, flowing streams and rivers of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, scaleless, grey-brown body with three pairs of long barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches among gravel, sand and leaf litter for insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threadfin dwarf catfish?

The Threadfin dwarf catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Threadfin dwarf catfish live?

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

How big does the Threadfin dwarf catfish get?

The Threadfin dwarf catfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Threadfin dwarf catfish dangerous to humans?

The Threadfin dwarf catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draadvin-antennemeerval sourced
English name
Threadfin dwarf catfish sourced
Scientific name
Imparfinis nemacheir
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Imparfinis

More from the family Heptapteridae

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