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Smooth whiptail catfish (Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula) — Loricariidae

Smooth whiptail catfish

Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula
Family: Loricariidae

The Smooth whiptail catfish (Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Smooth whiptail catfish is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing rivers and streams of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body with an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones and wood in current and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smooth whiptail catfish?

The Smooth whiptail catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Smooth whiptail catfish live?

The Smooth whiptail catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Smooth whiptail catfish get?

The Smooth whiptail catfish grows to a maximum of about 36 cm.

Is the Smooth whiptail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smooth whiptail catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gladde zweepstaartmeerval sourced
English name
Smooth whiptail catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Loricariidae

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