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Slender catfish (Pimelodella procera) — Heptapteridae

Slender catfish

Pimelodella procera
Family: Heptapteridae

The Slender catfish (Pimelodella procera) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: French Guiana

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Description

The Slender catfish is a three-barbeled catfish (Heptapteridae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 11 cm and has an elongate, greyish, scaleless body with long barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom predator it shelters by day among stones and roots and searches for insect larvae, crustaceans and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender catfish?

The Slender catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Slender catfish live?

The Slender catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: French Guiana

How big does the Slender catfish get?

The Slender catfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Slender catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Slender catfish (Pimelodella procera) — Heptapteridae — 2
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Slender catfish (Pimelodella procera) — Heptapteridae — 3
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pimelodella procera
Family
Heptapteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: French Guiana sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pimelodella

More from the family Heptapteridae

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