Home · Sisoridae · Kurdistan catfish
Kurdistan catfish (Glyptothorax kurdistanicus) — Sisoridae

Kurdistan catfish

Glyptothorax kurdistanicus
Family: Sisoridae

The Kurdistan catfish (Glyptothorax kurdistanicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Sisoridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Asia: Iran, Türkiye

Want the complete picture on the Kurdistan catfish?

Get the app

Description

The Kurdistan catfish is a hillstream catfish (Sisoridae) from fast-flowing fresh water of het Tigris- en Eufraatstelsel in het Midden-Oosten. The species grows to about the Tigris and Euphrates system in the Middle East cm and has a flattened, grey-brown body with barbels, an inferior mouth and stout dorsal and pectoral spines, adapted to life among stones in flowing water. As a bottom-dweller it searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The sharp fin spines can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kurdistan catfish?

The Kurdistan catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Kurdistan catfish live?

The Kurdistan catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Iran, Türkiye

How big does the Kurdistan catfish get?

The Kurdistan catfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Kurdistan catfish dangerous to humans?

The Kurdistan catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Kurdistan catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Kurdistan catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Kurdistan catfish sourced
Scientific name
Glyptothorax kurdistanicus
Family
Sisoridae
Other names
Iran cat sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Iran, Türkiye sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a cut or puncture from a sharp fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glyptothorax

More from the family Sisoridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Kurdistan catfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Kurdistan catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Kurdistan catfish? Get the app