Whale Catfish
📖 Overview
Whale Catfish (Denticetopsis praecox), first described by Ferraris & Brown, 1991 is a small fish in the family Cetopsidae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 5.30 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal soft rays: 25 - 30; Vertebrae: 39 - 40. Readily distinguished from other members of the genus by its color pattern consisting of a dark brown dorsum, speckled to dark sides, light venter, pale fins and a large dark spot on the basal half of the dorsal fin. Among the smallest species in the family, maturing between 30-40 mm SL.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whale Catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 4.3 - 5.0. Tropical South America: upper Negro River basin.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Whale Catfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | 始齿鲸鲇 |
| 🌍CES | velrybovec neblinský |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pseudocetopsis praecox | Ferraris & Brown | 1991 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
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