Home · Claroteidae · Akiri catfish
Akiri catfish (Notoglanidium akiri) — Claroteidae

Akiri catfish

Notoglanidium akiri
Family: Claroteidae
EN · Endangered

The Akiri catfish (Notoglanidium akiri) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Akiri catfish is a claroteid catfish (Claroteidae) from rivers, streams and swamps of West Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, grey-brown body with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and stout spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud for insect larvae, worms, snails and small fish. The fin spines can give a painful puncture wound if handled carelessly.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Akiri catfish?

The Akiri catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Akiri catfish live?

The Akiri catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Akiri catfish get?

The Akiri catfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Akiri catfish dangerous to humans?

The Akiri catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Akiri catfish edible?

Yes, the Akiri catfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Akiri-naaktmeerval sourced
English name
Akiri catfish sourced
Scientific name
Notoglanidium akiri
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Notoglanidium

More from the family Claroteidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →