Fin's Fish Guide
The South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen) is a freshwater fish of the family Heptapteridae that grows up to 61 cm.
Fresh water of Central and South America, in rivers, lakes and creeks, often with soft bottoms.
Description
The South American catfish (jundia) is a scaleless bottom catfish of the family Heptapteridae reaching about 61 cm. The elongate, brown-grey body has three pairs of long barbels around the broad mouth, an adipose fin and stout, serrated spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins. The species comes from the fresh water of Central and South America and lives on often soft bottoms of rivers, lakes and creeks. Mainly at night it probes the bottom with its barbels for insects, crustaceans, small fish, worms and plant matter. With its tasty, low-bone flesh it is an important food and aquaculture fish in South America; when handling, the sharp fin spines call for care.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the South American catfish?
The South American catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Scaleless bottom catfish with three pairs of long barbels, an adipose fin and strong spines in the pectoral and dorsal fin.
Where does the South American catfish live?
The South American catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh water of Central and South America, in rivers, lakes and creeks, often with soft bottoms.
How big does the South American catfish get?
The South American catfish grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.
Is the South American catfish dangerous to humans?
The South American catfish can cause injury; handle it with care. The pectoral and dorsal fins bear stout, serrated spines that can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle a caught animal carefully and clean any wound.
Is the South American catfish edible?
Yes, the South American catfish is a highly prized food fish.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Rhamdia
More from the family Heptapteridae
Want the complete picture on the South American catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the South American catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.