Gymnallabes typus • Clariidae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Gymnallabes typus** Günther, 1867
Common Name(s)	Fathead Eel Catfish, Flat Head Eel Catfish
Type Locality	West Africa, probably Old Calabar.
Synonym(s)	Clariallabes longicaudatus
Pronunciation	tee pess
Etymology	Gymnallabes: From the Greek, gymnos, meaning hidden and allabes, the name of a Nilotic fish (a kind of lamprey); in reference to the shape and nature of the fish. The Latin specific epithet typus means model or example, in allusion to the fact that this distinctive species was the only one known when described.
Species Information
Size	250mm (9.8") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Distinguished by the extremely elongate body, reduced cranial shield, confluent median fins, small eyes and presence of pelvic fins.
Sexing	In ventral view especially, females are much broader in the body than males of equal age and rearing practices.
Habitat Information
Distribution	West Africa: lower course and delta of the Niger River and Cross River basin in Nigeria. Also known from Cameroon. African Waters, Nigeria Waters, Niger, Lower Niger (click on these areas to find other species found there) African Waters, Cross (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
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.
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. 3)v. 20 (no. 116) - pp111 [3] - Pl. 2 (fig. A)
Registered Keepers	(1) Silurus, (2) lordotterby, (3) The-Wolf (p: 2), (4) malawiman1, (5) Junttis (k: 10), (6) jippo (k: 7), (7) arapaimag (k: 5). Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.
Breeding Reports	None.
Articles	- CotM 2005 July
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Last Update	2005 Jul 03 00:00 (species record created: 2001 Apr 18 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Gymnallabes typus Günther, 1867

Common Name(s)

Fathead Eel Catfish, Flat Head Eel Catfish

Type Locality

West Africa, probably Old Calabar.

Synonym(s)

Clariallabes longicaudatus

Pronunciation

tee pess

Etymology

Gymnallabes: From the Greek, gymnos, meaning hidden and allabes, the name of a Nilotic fish (a kind of lamprey); in reference to the shape and nature of the fish. The Latin specific epithet typus means model or example, in allusion to the fact that this distinctive species was the only one known when described.

Species Information

Size

250mm (9.8") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

Distinguished by the extremely elongate body, reduced cranial shield, confluent median fins, small eyes and presence of pelvic fins.

Sexing

In ventral view especially, females are much broader in the body than males of equal age and rearing practices.

Habitat Information

Distribution

West Africa: lower course and delta of the Niger River and Cross River basin in Nigeria. Also known from Cameroon.
African Waters, Nigeria Waters, Niger, Lower Niger (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Cross (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

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.

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. 3)v. 20 (no. 116) - pp111 [3] - Pl. 2 (fig. A)

Registered Keepers

(1) Silurus, (2) lordotterby, (3) The-Wolf (p: 2), (4) malawiman1, (5) Junttis (k: 10), (6) jippo (k: 7), (7) arapaimag (k: 5).

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Breeding Reports

None.

Articles