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Silver antenna catfish (Pimelodus argenteus) — Pimelodidae

Silver antenna catfish

Pimelodus argenteus
Family: Pimelodidae

The Silver antenna catfish (Pimelodus argenteus) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows up to 25 cm.

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

Description

The Silver antenna catfish is a long-whiskered catfish (Pimelodidae) from fresh water of South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, scaleless, greyish body with three pairs of very long barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches over sand and mud of rivers and streams for insect larvae, small crustaceans and small fish. The stout, serrated pectoral and dorsal spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver antenna catfish?

The Silver antenna catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Silver antenna catfish live?

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

How big does the Silver antenna catfish get?

The Silver antenna catfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Silver antenna catfish dangerous to humans?

The Silver antenna catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zilveren antennemeerval sourced
English name
Silver antenna catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pimelodus argenteus
Family
Pimelodidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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

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

For anglers

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 verified

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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