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More's thorny catfish (Opsodoras morei) — Doradidae

More's thorny catfish

Opsodoras morei
Family: Doradidae

The More's thorny catfish (Opsodoras morei) is a fish of the family Doradidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

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Description

The More's thorny catfish is a thorny catfish (Doradidae) from rivers and floodplains of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a sturdy, brown body with a row of bony, hooked plates along the flank, barbels and stout, serrated spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud for snails, worms and small invertebrates. The serrated fin spines can give a painful cut.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the More's thorny catfish?

The More's thorny catfish is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the More's thorny catfish live?

The More's thorny catfish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the More's thorny catfish get?

The More's thorny catfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the More's thorny catfish dangerous to humans?

The More's thorny catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a puncture or cut from a fin spine: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and remove any visible fragments. Cover and keep clean. For a deep wound, a retained spine or signs of infection see a doctor and check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
More's thorny catfish sourced
Scientific name
Opsodoras morei
Family
Doradidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
20 inferred
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a puncture or cut from a fin spine: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and remove any visible fragments. Cover and keep clean. For a deep wound, a retained spine or signs of infection see a doctor and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Opsodoras

More from the family Doradidae

Fin

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