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Cave chulín (Rhamdia laticauda) — Heptapteridae

Cave chulín

Rhamdia laticauda
Family: Heptapteridae
LC · Least Concern

The Cave chulín (Rhamdia laticauda) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Rhamdia laticauda is a catfish of the family Heptapteridae from Central America. The species has an elongate, scaleless, brownish body with long barbels and reaches about 29 cm. It is typical of highland brooks and rivers or creeks with moderate to strong current and occurs at elevations between about 35 and 1350 metres, on sand and stone bottoms. As a nocturnal bottom dweller it feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae and small fishes. The dorsal and pectoral fins bear strong spines. The species hides under stones and in crevices by day and is sometimes even found in caves. It is of limited local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cave chulín?

The Cave chulín has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Cave chulín live?

The Cave chulín lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Cave chulín get?

The Cave chulín grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Cave chulín dangerous to humans?

No, the Cave chulín is harmless to humans.

Is the Cave chulín edible?

The Cave chulín is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bergmeerval sourced
English name
Cave chulín verified
Scientific name
Rhamdia laticauda
Family
Heptapteridae
Other names
Filespine chulín; Oaxaca catfish; Rock catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore 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 Rhamdia

More from the family Heptapteridae

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