The Loach Catfish (Amphilius grandis) is a freshwater fish in the Amphiliidae family of catfish.
The Loach Catfish has an elongated, cylindrical brownish body. It has barbels at the corner of its mouth. It has a broad, flattened head that enables it to dig through the soil for food. Fish have scales, but the Loach Catfish does not have scales. Instead of scales, it has slippery mucous-covered skin with bony plates called scutes.
It grows to about 19 centimetres (8 inches) in length.
It is widespread across tropical countries of Africa. It likes shallow, fast-flowing streams.
The Loach Catfish is benthic because it is a bottom feeder, foraging for algae, fish, and aquatic snails along the bottom of the stream.
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM