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Zucchini catfish (Isorineloricaria spinosissima) — Loricariidae

Zucchini catfish

Isorineloricaria spinosissima
Family: Loricariidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Zucchini catfish (Isorineloricaria spinosissima) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
56.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The zucchini catfish is a large, slender armoured catfish from fresh water of northwestern South America, including Ecuador. The species grows to about 57 cm and has an elongate, flattened body covered with bony plates and small spinelets, and a fleshy sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to wood and stones in flowing rivers and grazes algae, aufwuchs and detritus. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zucchini catfish?

The Zucchini catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Zucchini catfish live?

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

How big does the Zucchini catfish get?

The Zucchini catfish grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.

Is the Zucchini catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Zucchini catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Zucchini catfish edible?

The Zucchini catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stekel-harnasmeerval verified
English name
Zucchini catfish verified
Scientific name
Isorineloricaria spinosissima
Family
Loricariidae
Other names
Zucchini catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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