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Long-headed flatnose catfish (Parauchenoglanis longiceps) — Claroteidae

Long-headed flatnose catfish

Parauchenoglanis longiceps
Family: Claroteidae
EN · Endangered

The Long-headed flatnose catfish (Parauchenoglanis longiceps) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cameroon
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The long-headed flatnose catfish is an African catfish known only from the Nyong basin in southern Cameroon. The species grows to about 41 cm and has an elongate snout and a body with numerous small spots on body and fins; barbels surround the mouth. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives in tropical fresh water and searches the bottom for food. Because of its very limited range in a single river system the species is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Long-headed flatnose catfish?

The Long-headed flatnose catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Elongate snout; numerous small spots; endemic to the Nyong basin

Where does the Long-headed flatnose catfish live?

The Long-headed flatnose catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Cameroon

How big does the Long-headed flatnose catfish get?

The Long-headed flatnose catfish grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Long-headed flatnose catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Long-headed flatnose 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 Long-headed flatnose catfish edible?

The Long-headed flatnose catfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Long-headed flatnose catfish (Parauchenoglanis longiceps) — Claroteidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Long-headed flatnose catfish verified
Scientific name
Parauchenoglanis longiceps
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Cameroon verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dweller of the Nyong basin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Elongate snout; numerous small spots; endemic to the Nyong basin sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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
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 Parauchenoglanis

More from the family Claroteidae

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