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Longfilament catfish (Pareutropius longifilis) — Schilbeidae

Longfilament catfish

Pareutropius longifilis
Family: Schilbeidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Longfilament catfish (Pareutropius longifilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West and Central Africa
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The longfilament catfish is a small, schooling catfish from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body, an adipose fin, long barbels and thread-like elongated tail lobes. As an active, schooling fish it swims in the midwater of rivers and streams and feeds on insects, small zooplankton and larvae. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfilament catfish?

The Longfilament catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long barbels and thread-like caudal lobes; actively shoaling small glass catfish

Where does the Longfilament catfish live?

The Longfilament catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. West and Central Africa

How big does the Longfilament catfish get?

The Longfilament catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Longfilament catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfilament 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 Longfilament catfish edible?

The Longfilament catfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Longfilament catfish (Pareutropius longifilis) — Schilbeidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Longfilament catfish (Pareutropius longifilis) — Schilbeidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Grimm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfilament catfish (Pareutropius longifilis) — Schilbeidae — 4
Mark Allen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
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All data

Identification

English name
Longfilament catfish verified
Scientific name
Pareutropius longifilis
Family
Schilbeidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
West and Central Africa verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small zooplankton and larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Actively schooling small midwater catfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Long barbels and thread-like caudal lobes; actively shoaling small glass catfish sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Pareutropius

More from the family Schilbeidae

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