Fin's Fish Guide
The Upper Congo catfish (Chrysichthys mabusi) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae that grows up to 41 cm.
Description
The upper Congo catfish is a catfish from the upper Congo basin upstream of Stanley Falls, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. The species grows to about 41 cm and has a scaleless, silver-grey body with barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it searches rivers and streams for invertebrates, small fish and plant matter. The fish is a local food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Upper Congo catfish?
The Upper Congo catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Scaleless body with barbels; bottom-foraging river catfish
Where does the Upper Congo catfish live?
The Upper Congo catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Congo basin
How big does the Upper Congo catfish get?
The Upper Congo catfish grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.
Is the Upper Congo catfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Upper Congo 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.
Is the Upper Congo catfish edible?
Yes, the Upper Congo catfish is commonly eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Chrysichthys
More from the family Claroteidae
Want the complete picture on the Upper Congo catfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Upper Congo catfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.