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Mountain catfish (Nematogenys inermis) — Nematogenyidae

Mountain catfish

Nematogenys inermis
Family: Nematogenyidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Mountain catfish (Nematogenys inermis) is a freshwater fish of the family Nematogenyidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
40.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Chile

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Description

The mountain catfish is a primitive catfish (Nematogenyidae) endemic to clear, cool rivers of central Chile in South America. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, smooth, yellow-brown, scaleless body with barbels. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among stones and roots and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates at night. Through habitat loss the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mountain catfish?

The Mountain catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Mountain catfish live?

The Mountain catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Chile

How big does the Mountain catfish get?

The Mountain catfish grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Mountain catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Mountain 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.

More photos

Mountain catfish (Nematogenys inermis) — Nematogenyidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Mountain catfish (Nematogenys inermis) — Nematogenyidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sebastian Haeger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mountain catfish (Nematogenys inermis) — Nematogenyidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Paul Louis Oudart (1796–1860) after Claudio Gay (1800-1873) prinx, Christophe Annedouche (1803-1866) sc (Public domain)
Mountain catfish (Nematogenys inermis) — Nematogenyidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) labrigo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Mountain catfish sourced
Scientific name
Nematogenys inermis
Family
Nematogenyidae
Other names
Mountain catfish; Big catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
40.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Chile 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

For anglers

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 verified
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
Fin

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