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Knife whiptail catfish (Pseudohemiodon lamina) — Loricariidae

Knife whiptail catfish

Pseudohemiodon lamina
Family: Loricariidae

The Knife whiptail catfish (Pseudohemiodon lamina) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The knife whiptail catfish is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a very flat, broad, bony-plated, sandy body that tapers into a thin, whip-like tail, with an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried in sand and fine gravel of calm rivers and rasps algae, biofilm and detritus. The male carries the eggs under his belly. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Knife whiptail catfish?

The Knife whiptail catfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Knife whiptail catfish live?

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

How big does the Knife whiptail catfish get?

The Knife whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Knife whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Knife whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mes-zweepstaartmeerval sourced
English name
Knife whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudohemiodon lamina
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.9 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudohemiodon

More from the family Loricariidae

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