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Strangejaw loach catfish (Leptoglanis xenognathus) — Amphiliidae

Strangejaw loach catfish

Leptoglanis xenognathus
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Strangejaw loach catfish (Leptoglanis xenognathus) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Strangejaw loach catfish is a slender mountain-stream catfish (Amphiliidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, elongate, flattened body with barbels and broad pectoral fins, adapted to cling to stones in current. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives among rocks and gravel of clear streams and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Strangejaw loach catfish?

The Strangejaw loach catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Strangejaw loach catfish live?

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

How big does the Strangejaw loach catfish get?

The Strangejaw loach catfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Strangejaw loach catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Strangejaw loach catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Strangejaw loach catfish edible?

The Strangejaw loach catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vreemdkaak-loachmeerval sourced
English name
Strangejaw loach catfish sourced
Scientific name
Leptoglanis xenognathus
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Leptoglanis

More from the family Amphiliidae

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