Spatula-barbeled catfish (Phyllonemus typus)

Scientific name: Phyllonemus typus Boulenger, 1906

Spatula-barbeled catfish (Phyllonemus typus)

The Spatula-barbeled catfish (Phyllonemus typus) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae. Native range: Africa, Lake Tanganyika.

Biology

Inhabit inshore waters to 20 m deep, and restricted to the rocky littoral zone. Rest on the bottom with the modified maxillary barbels. Nocturnally active meanwhile resting beneath rocks and within interstices in the rock or rubble substrata during the day. Oviparous. First report of bi-parental mouthbrooding among catfishes. No value as food. Stomach contents examined consist of shrimps, occasionally debris from larval insects, and fish remains which apparently are clupeids (possibly Limnothrissa. Aquarium conditions: pH7.6; hardness of water 12; temperature tolerance 25?C; tank capacity, 60L; food, e.g. live worms, Daphnia; aquarium lighting, as dark as possible as long as fishes are visible; a peaceful, bottom-swimming fish which prefers a set-up with rocks, plants, and driftwood in an aquarium.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Phyllonemus typus
Family
Claroteidae (Claroteid catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
8.8
Depth range
20 m (66 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; depth range ? - 20 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Lake Tanganyika.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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