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Squaliforma emarginata — Loricariidae

Squaliforma emarginata

Squaliforma emarginata
Family: Loricariidae

The Squaliforma emarginata is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The bordered armoured catfish is a suckermouth armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from northern South America. The species reaches about 28 cm and has an elongate body armoured with bony plates and an inferior sucker mouth. With this it attaches to stones and wood and scrapes algae, aufwuchs and detritus from the surface. It inhabits flowing rivers and streams with a rocky bottom. Like other armoured catfishes it bears sharp pectoral spines set with skin teeth (odontodes). The fish is mainly nocturnal. Owing to its wide range the species is not threatened.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Squaliforma emarginata?

The Squaliforma emarginata has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Squaliforma emarginata live?

The Squaliforma emarginata lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Squaliforma emarginata get?

The Squaliforma emarginata grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Squaliforma emarginata dangerous to humans?

No, the Squaliforma emarginata is harmless to humans.

Is the Squaliforma emarginata edible?

The Squaliforma emarginata is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gerande harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Squaliforma emarginata sourced
Scientific name
Squaliforma emarginata
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
28.0 sourced
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore 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
Vissen met plantaardig aas of deegaas op een bodem- of dobbermontage. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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