Aspredinichthys filamentosus (Valenciennes, 1840)
Sevenbarbed banjo
photo by Friel, J.P.

Family:  Aspredinidae (Banjo catfishes), subfamily: Aspredininae
Max. size:  21.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  South America: lower portions of coastal rivers and in coastal waters in Venezuela to Brazil.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Benthic fish which lives on sandy-muddy littoral waters, estuaries and flooded zones of rivers. Reproduction takes place in April and June (Ref. 35381). The species has a peculiar mode of egg incubation wherein the female banjo catfish carries the eggs firmly attached to the underside of the body. This seems to be an adaptation to facilitate the oxygenation of the eggs in muddy environments (Ref. 35381). It is captured in coastal traps of stakes driven into the tidal mud (Chinese fish traps) (Ref. 6868).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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