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Banded catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco) — Bagridae

Banded catfish

Tachysurus fulvidraco
Family: Bagridae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
34.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowhead catfish is an Asian catfish of the bagrid family (Bagridae) from East Asia, including China, Korea and the Amur basin. The species grows to about 34 cm and has a yellow-brown, dark mottled body with four pairs of barbels and stout pectoral and dorsal spines. Adults live in river channels and lakes and search the bottom for insects, worms, small fishes and molluscs. The species is an important aquaculture and food fish in China. The pectoral and dorsal spines bear venom glands; a sting gives a painful, burning wound, so handle the fish with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded catfish?

The Banded catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Banded catfish live?

The Banded catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Banded catfish get?

The Banded catfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Banded catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded catfish edible?

Yes, the Banded catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelkop-stekelmeerval sourced
English name
Banded catfish verified
Scientific name
Tachysurus fulvidraco
Family
Bagridae
Other names
Yellow catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.5 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud 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
Commonly 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 Tachysurus

More from the family Bagridae

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