Commonly
known as the "talking cats" due to
the noise they make when removed from the water
made either by movements of the pectoral spine
or vibrating the swim bladder.. Confused sometimes
with the Auchenipteridae family ( Wood cats
) but they possess a row of scutes along their
sides which is characteristic of this group.
Three pairs of barbels (no nasals) mandibular
barbels with branches in some; dorsal fin with
spine and 4-6 soft rays; adipose fin usually
present.
Mostly
nocturnal and very secretive and range from
the diminutive Physopyxis lyra to the
large and friendly Oxydodorus niger.
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