Fin's Fish Guide
The Long-whiskered catfish (Pimelodella macturki) is a brackish-water fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 11 cm.
Description
MacTurk's long-whiskered catfish is a three-barbeled catfish (Heptapteridae) from South America. The species has a slender, scaleless body with an adipose fin and very long barbels, and stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines. It lives in small creeks of the estuarine part of rivers. Nocturnally it searches by touch with its long barbels for insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. The stout fin spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Long-whiskered catfish?
The Long-whiskered catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Very long barbels for probing the bottom; nocturnal antenna catfish with stinging fin spines.
Where does the Long-whiskered catfish live?
The Long-whiskered catfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America; small creeks of estuarine river sections.
How big does the Long-whiskered catfish get?
The Long-whiskered catfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.
Is the Long-whiskered catfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Long-whiskered catfish is harmless to humans. Not venomous, but the stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines can inflict a painful puncture wound. Clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical care if it becomes infected.
Is the Long-whiskered catfish edible?
The Long-whiskered catfish is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Pimelodella
More from the family Heptapteridae
Want the complete picture on the Long-whiskered catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Long-whiskered catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.