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Leopard bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus pardalis) — Auchenipteridae

Leopard bottlenose catfish

Ageneiosus pardalis
NE · Not Evaluated

The Leopard bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus pardalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Auchenipteridae that grows up to 63 cm.

Length
63 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwestern South America
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The leopard bottlenose catfish is a large catfish from fresh water of northwestern South America, in the Magdalena and adjacent basins. The species grows to about 63 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a flattened, broad head, a leopard-like spotted pattern and very short barbels. As a nocturnal open-water hunter it chases small fish and shrimp in rivers. These catfishes practise internal fertilisation. It is a local food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard bottlenose catfish?

The Leopard bottlenose catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Leopard-like blotched pattern and very short barbels; internal fertilisation

Where does the Leopard bottlenose catfish live?

The Leopard bottlenose catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Northwestern South America

How big does the Leopard bottlenose catfish get?

The Leopard bottlenose catfish grows to a maximum of about 63 cm.

Is the Leopard bottlenose catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Leopard bottlenose catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Leopard bottlenose catfish edible?

Yes, the Leopard bottlenose catfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Leopard bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus pardalis) — Auchenipteridae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Leopard bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus pardalis) — Auchenipteridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Miguel Diaz Anaya, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Leopard bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus pardalis) — Auchenipteridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Deisy Joana Acero Agudelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Leopard bottlenose catfish verified
Scientific name
Ageneiosus pardalis
Family
Auchenipteridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
63.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Northwestern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and shrimps inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal open-water catfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Leopard-like blotched pattern and very short barbels; internal fertilisation sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Nets and angling sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ageneiosus

More from the family Auchenipteridae

Fin

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