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Black bristlemouth catfish (Pseudancistrus niger) — Loricariidae

Black bristlemouth catfish

Pseudancistrus niger
Family: Loricariidae

The Black bristlemouth catfish (Pseudancistrus niger) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The black bristlemouth catfish is a South American armoured catfish of the family Loricariidae from the Oyapock basin in French Guiana. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a flattened, dark body armoured with rows of bony plates, and a downward-facing suckermouth; the edges of the head and gill covers bear rows of small, bristle-like odontodes. It is not very common and occurs in rapids, together with related armoured catfishes. With its rasping suckermouth it scrapes algae, growth and detritus from stones. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black bristlemouth catfish?

The Black bristlemouth catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black bristlemouth catfish live?

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

How big does the Black bristlemouth catfish get?

The Black bristlemouth catfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Black bristlemouth catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black bristlemouth catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Black bristlemouth catfish edible?

The Black bristlemouth catfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte baardharnasmeerval sourced
English name
Black bristlemouth catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudancistrus niger
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudancistrus

More from the family Loricariidae

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