The slender catfish is a small catfish of rocky Korean mountain streams, usually around 10 in (25 cm) long. Its tiny dorsal fin and slim body help set it apart from the larger Amur catfish (Silurus asotus).
Appearance
Appearance
It has whiskers, a slim body, and a very small dorsal fin.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Clear mountain streams
Rocky headwaters
Range
It is recorded in Korean headwaters and the Yalu River basin in northeastern China; it is not a fish of U.S. streams.
Preferred conditions
It favors clear water over gravel and rocks.
Behavior
Diet
In Korean streams it feeds on aquatic insects and young fish.
Name and classification
About the name
It was first named Parasilurus microdorsalis. It has been described as living only in Korea, but a 2024 genetic study found distinct groups in northeastern China and Korea. They have not been formally named as separate species.