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Banded longwhisker catfish (Pariolius armillatus) — Heptapteridae

Banded longwhisker catfish

Pariolius armillatus
Family: Heptapteridae

The Banded longwhisker catfish (Pariolius armillatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The banded longwhisker catfish is an antenna catfish (Pimelodidae) from rivers and streams of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, scaleless, brown body with long barbels and stout spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud for insect larvae, worms and small invertebrates. The fin spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded longwhisker catfish?

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

Where does the Banded longwhisker catfish live?

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

How big does the Banded longwhisker catfish get?

The Banded longwhisker catfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Banded longwhisker catfish dangerous to humans?

The Banded longwhisker catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandarm-antennemeerval sourced
English name
Banded longwhisker catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pariolius armillatus
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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

More from the family Heptapteridae

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