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Ubangi bagrid (Bagrus ubangensis) — Bagridae

Ubangi bagrid

Bagrus ubangensis
Family: Bagridae
LC · Least Concern

The Ubangi bagrid (Bagrus ubangensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
31.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; muddy bottoms of the Congo basin.

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Description

The Ubangi bagrid is an African catfish of the family Bagridae from the Congo basin. The species grows to about 32 cm and has a streamlined body with barbels around the mouth, an adipose fin and stout fin spines. It lives on muddy bottoms and feeds on mud and small fishes. The fish is hard to catch on a hook and is mostly taken at night over muddy bottoms. The flesh is tasty when smoked. Like other catfishes the sharp pectoral and dorsal spines can cause painful injuries, so careful handling is advised.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ubangi bagrid?

The Ubangi bagrid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Barbels, adipose fin and sharp fin spines; is hard to hook and is caught mainly at night.

Where does the Ubangi bagrid live?

The Ubangi bagrid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Africa; muddy bottoms of the Congo basin.

How big does the Ubangi bagrid get?

The Ubangi bagrid grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Ubangi bagrid dangerous to humans?

No, the Ubangi bagrid is harmless to humans. The stout, sharp fin spines can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle the fish with care. Clean the wound, let it bleed, and seek medical care if pain or infection increases.

More photos

Ubangi bagrid (Bagrus ubangensis) — Bagridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — John P. Friel Ph.D. (CC BY 4.0)
Ubangi bagrid (Bagrus ubangensis) — Bagridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Tobit Liyandja, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ubangi bagrid sourced
Scientific name
Bagrus ubangensis
Family
Bagridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Natural range
Central Africa; muddy bottoms of the Congo basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mud, detritus and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Barbels, adipose fin and sharp fin spines; is hard to hook and is caught mainly at night. sourced

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
The stout, sharp fin spines can cause painful puncture or cut wounds; handle the fish with care. Clean the wound, let it bleed, and seek medical care if pain or infection increases. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bagrus

More from the family Bagridae

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