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Lindi catfish (Phractura lindica) — Amphiliidae

Lindi catfish

Phractura lindica
Family: Amphiliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lindi catfish (Phractura lindica) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Lindi catfish is a small African catfish of the loach catfish family (Amphiliidae) from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species has a very slender, elongate, needle-like body with barbels and a thin tail, adapted to life on the bottom of flowing water. Unlike many catfishes it lacks strong, serrated spines. It keeps among sand, gravel and leaf litter of clear streams and rivers, where it forages on small invertebrates and insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lindi catfish?

The Lindi catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Lindi catfish live?

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

How big does the Lindi catfish get?

The Lindi catfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Lindi catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lindi catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Lindi catfish edible?

The Lindi catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lindi-bergmeervalletje sourced
English name
Lindi catfish sourced
Scientific name
Phractura lindica
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Phractura

More from the family Amphiliidae

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