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Pimelodus albofasciatus — Pimelodidae

Pimelodus albofasciatus

Pimelodus albofasciatus
Family: Pimelodidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pimelodus albofasciatus is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
29.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Pimelodus albofasciatus is a catfish of the family Pimelodidae from northern South America, in the Guianas and adjacent Brazil. The species reaches about 30 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with long barbels and a white band, to which the name refers. It is a nocturnal bottom dweller that searches for food in the dark with its barbels; as an omnivore it eats insects, crustaceans, small fishes and plant matter. In front of the pectoral and dorsal fins it bears sharp spines that can cause puncture wounds when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pimelodus albofasciatus?

The Pimelodus albofasciatus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Pimelodus albofasciatus live?

The Pimelodus albofasciatus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pimelodus albofasciatus get?

The Pimelodus albofasciatus grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Pimelodus albofasciatus dangerous to humans?

The Pimelodus albofasciatus can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Pimelodus albofasciatus edible?

The Pimelodus albofasciatus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witband-antennemeerval sourced
English name
Pimelodus albofasciatus sourced
Scientific name
Pimelodus albofasciatus
Family
Pimelodidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.5 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pimelodus

More from the family Pimelodidae

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