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Stout whiptail catfish (Lamontichthys stibaros) — Loricariidae

Stout whiptail catfish

Lamontichthys stibaros
Family: Loricariidae

The Stout whiptail catfish (Lamontichthys stibaros) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The stout whiptail catfish is a slender armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing rivers of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, bony-plated body tapering into a thin, whip-like tail, a flat snout with fringes and an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to wood and stones in clear, oxygen-rich water and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stout whiptail catfish?

The Stout whiptail catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Stout whiptail catfish live?

The Stout whiptail catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Stout whiptail catfish get?

The Stout whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Stout whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Stout whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stevige zweepstaartmeerval sourced
English name
Stout whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Lamontichthys stibaros
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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