Home · Mochokidae · Neumann's rock catlet
Neumann's rock catlet (Chiloglanis neumanni) — Mochokidae

Neumann's rock catlet

Chiloglanis neumanni
Family: Mochokidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Neumann's rock catlet (Chiloglanis neumanni) is a freshwater fish of the family Mochokidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Africa; cool mountain streams with rocky rapids.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Neumann's rock catlet?

Get the app

Description

Neumann's suckermouth catfish is a small African catfish of the squeaker family (Mochokidae) from East Africa. The species grows to only about 6 cm and is common in the cool waters of mountain streams, in rocky riffles and rapids as well as pools. With a downward-facing sucker mouth with fringed lips it clings to stones in fast-flowing water and scrapes off the growth (periphyton and small invertebrates). Like other Mochokidae it has stout fin spines that can prick. Owing to limited data the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). Handle it carefully because of the spines.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Neumann's rock catlet?

The Neumann's rock catlet has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Sucker mouth with fringed lips to attach to stones in fast-flowing mountain water.

Where does the Neumann's rock catlet live?

The Neumann's rock catlet lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Africa; cool mountain streams with rocky rapids.

How big does the Neumann's rock catlet get?

The Neumann's rock catlet grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Neumann's rock catlet dangerous to humans?

No, the Neumann's rock catlet is harmless to humans. The stout, sharp fin spines can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle the fish with care. Clean the wound, let it bleed, and seek medical care if pain or infection increases.

Is the Neumann's rock catlet edible?

The Neumann's rock catlet is not usually eaten.

More photos

Neumann's rock catlet (Chiloglanis neumanni) — Mochokidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Neumann's rock catlet (Chiloglanis neumanni) — Mochokidae — 3
P.H. Skelton (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Neumann's rock catlet (Chiloglanis neumanni) — Mochokidae — 4
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Neumann's rock catlet (Chiloglanis neumanni) — Mochokidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Neumann's rock catlet?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Neumann's rock catlet is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Neumann's rock catlet verified
Scientific name
Chiloglanis neumanni
Family
Mochokidae
Other names
Neumann's rock catlet; Neumann's suckermouth; Newman's suckermouth; Prickleback suckermouth; Rock catlet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Africa; cool mountain streams with rocky rapids. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Biofilm: periphyton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Sucker mouth with fringed lips to attach to stones in fast-flowing mountain water. 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
The stout, sharp fin spines can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle the fish with care. Clean the wound, let it bleed, and seek medical care if pain or infection increases. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chiloglanis

More from the family Mochokidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Neumann's rock catlet?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Neumann's rock catlet is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Neumann's rock catlet? Get the app