/clariidae/channallabes/apus/1.jpg "Channallabes apus(1) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/2.jpg "Channallabes apus(2) Close-up of head - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/3.jpg "Channallabes apus(3) Albino - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/6.jpg "Channallabes apus(6) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/7.jpg "Channallabes apus(7) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/8.jpg "Channallabes apus(8) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/9.jpg "Channallabes apus(9) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/10.jpg "Channallabes apus(10) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/11.jpg "Channallabes apus(11) - Click to enlarge")
/clariidae/channallabes/apus/12.jpg "Channallabes apus(12) - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Channallabes apus (Günther, 1873) |
| Common Name(s) | Eel Catfish |
| Type Locality | Interior of Ambriz, Angola. |
| Synonym(s) | Gymnallabes apus |
| Pronunciation | cha nal ah bez - ah pess |
| Etymology | Channallabes: From the Greek, channe, meaning anchovy and allabes, the name of a Nilotic fish (a kind of lamprey); in reference to the shape of the fish. From the Greek prefix a- meaning without and pous, meaning foot; in reference to the lack of pelvic fins. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 300mm (11.8") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | Distinguished by the extremely elongate body, reduced cranial shield, confluent median fins, small eyes and absence of pelvic fins. |
| General Remarks | Recent research has documented this species' ability to feed terrestially (videos above). The catfish's neck is especially flexible, with specialized vertebrae that allow it to hold its head up out of the water without using fins. The fish's diet provided the scientists with the first clue to its remarkable behaviour - it mainly eats beetles which are found on land. The researchers speculate that a similar feeding strategy could have been used by the first vertebrates to emerge from the oceans. The fish is known to burrow into the substrate and has been caught by hook and line in waterlogged areas adjacent to rivers and swamps simply by digging a hole and fishing in the resulting pool. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Central Africa: Angola to Congo River Basin. African Waters  , Congo (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 5.8 - 7.0 |
| Temperature | 22.0-27.0°C or 71.6-80.6°F (Show others within this range) |
| Other Parameters | Sensitive to bad water; this species appears particularly susceptible to bacterial / parasitic infections. |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Will take all manner of pelleted food, as well as frozen/live food (the latter being preferred). |
| Furniture | Provide plenty of driftwood for the fish to hide. Ensure that the tank cover is tight-fitting/weighed down, they are capable of climbing out. |
| Compatibility | A peaceful fish that is best suited for the West African biotope tank. Ideal tankmates include mid-sized African barbs, tetras, and cichlids. |
| Breeding | Not reported. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser. 4)v. 12 (no. 68) - pp142 |
| Registered Keepers | (1) JAYcarreon, (2) Devangel (p: 2), (3) The-Wolf (p: 2), (4) RobDoran1, (5) haxjester (p: 2), (6) malawiman1, (7) scotty105, (8) jippo (k: 2). Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
 - CotM  2010 July -
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| Hits | 15179 hits. |
| Last Update | 2006 Apr 22 00:00 (species record created: 2001 Jun 09 00:00) |
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