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Japanese bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus aurantiacus) — Bagridae

Japanese bagrid catfish

Pseudobagrus aurantiacus
Family: Bagridae

The Japanese bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus aurantiacus) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Japan; bottom of rivers and streams.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Korean bagrid catfish is a bagrid catfish (Bagridae) endemic to Japan. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines. It inhabits the bottom of rivers and streams. As a nocturnal predator it searches with its barbels for insect larvae, small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. The stout, serrated fin spines can give a painful puncture wound; otherwise the fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese bagrid catfish?

The Japanese bagrid catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Four pairs of barbels and serrated fin spines; nocturnal bottom catfish.

Where does the Japanese bagrid catfish live?

The Japanese bagrid catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Japan; bottom of rivers and streams.

How big does the Japanese bagrid catfish get?

The Japanese bagrid catfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Japanese bagrid catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese bagrid catfish is harmless to humans. Not venomous, but the stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected.

Is the Japanese bagrid catfish edible?

Yes, the Japanese bagrid catfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Japanese bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus aurantiacus) — Bagridae — 2
r-fujii (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Japanese bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus aurantiacus) — Bagridae — 3
r-fujii (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Japanese bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus aurantiacus) — Bagridae — 4
taro-bow (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Japanese bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus aurantiacus) — Bagridae — 5
r-fujii (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Japanese bagrid catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudobagrus aurantiacus
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Japan; bottom of rivers and streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae, small crustaceans, worms and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Four pairs of barbels and serrated fin spines; nocturnal bottom catfish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
Not venomous, but the stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudobagrus

More from the family Bagridae

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