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Amazon banjo catfish (Pseudobunocephalus amazonicus) — Aspredinidae

Amazon banjo catfish

Pseudobunocephalus amazonicus
Family: Aspredinidae

The Amazon banjo catfish (Pseudobunocephalus amazonicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Aspredinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Amazon banjo catfish is a banjo catfish (Aspredinidae) from slow-flowing rivers and floodplains of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened head and a thin, tapering tail, with a rough, brown skin resembling a dead leaf. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lies hidden in sediment and leaf litter by day and snaps at small invertebrates and organic matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amazon banjo catfish?

The Amazon banjo catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Amazon banjo catfish live?

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

How big does the Amazon banjo catfish get?

The Amazon banjo catfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Amazon banjo catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Amazon banjo catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Amazone-banjomeerval sourced
English name
Amazon banjo catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudobunocephalus amazonicus
Family
Aspredinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Aspredinidae

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