AquaticRepublic.com - Gymnallabes typus (Clariidae) All Fishes

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Close-up of head
Close-up of head
Dorsal view of head
Dorsal view of head
Close-up of mouth
Close-up of tail
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All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Gymnallabes typus** Günther, 1867
Common Names	Flat Head Eel Catfish Fathead Eel Catfish, Vestafrikansk ålemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	West Africa, probably Old Calabar.
Synonym(s)	Clariallabes longicaudatus, Gymnallabes typus heterocercalis
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	230mm or 9.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Unpaired fins continuous, paired fins reduced or absent. 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) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH	5.8 - 7.0
Temperature	22.0-27.0°C or 71.6-80.6°F (Show species 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). User data.
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.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 3) v. 20 (no. 116) (art. 15), pp 111 [3], Pl. 2 (fig. A).
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 7 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up G. typus on PlanetCatfish.com
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	Look up G. typus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up G. typus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.6.57.129
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 18 00:00)