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Pale catfish (Notoglanidium pallidum) — Claroteidae

Pale catfish

Notoglanidium pallidum
Family: Claroteidae

The Pale catfish (Notoglanidium pallidum) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Africa: Congo Dem Rp

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Description

The Pale catfish is a claroteid catfish (Claroteidae) from rivers, streams and swamps of Central 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 Pale catfish?

The Pale catfish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Pale catfish live?

The Pale catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Congo Dem Rp

How big does the Pale catfish get?

The Pale catfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Pale catfish dangerous to humans?

The Pale 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
Pale catfish sourced
Scientific name
Notoglanidium pallidum
Family
Claroteidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Congo Dem Rp 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

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
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 Notoglanidium

More from the family Claroteidae

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