Fish nocturnal

Rendahl's Catfish

Porochilus rendahli

A hidden gem of Australia's northern waterways, Rendahl's Catfish is an elegant, eel-tailed specialist of the night. This shy bottom-dweller uses its delicate whiskers to navigate a world of shadows and submerged forests.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Up to 20 cm (8 inches) in length; typically weighs less than 150g (5 oz).

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Colors

Pale yellowish-brown to olive-grey on the back and sides, fading to a creamy white or silver belly.

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Key Features

Slender, elongated body with a continuous eel-like tail
Four pairs of sensory barbels around the mouth
Small eyes positioned high on the head
Lack of distinct patterns or spots on the body

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 10 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round, though more easily observed in the dry season as water bodies shrink.

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Diet A benthic carnivore that feeds on aquatic insect larvae, small freshwater crustaceans like shrimp and ostracods, and occasionally small mollusks.

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Habitat Found in slow-flowing rivers, billabongs, swamps, and freshwater lagoons, particularly in Northern Australia.

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Behavior

Rendahl's Catfish is a secretive and primarily nocturnal species that spends the daylight hours tucked away in heavy cover. They are bottom-dwellers, preferring to navigate through dense aquatic vegetation, submerged root mats, or leaf litter in slow-moving waters. Their swimming style is distinctively fluid and serpentine, a result of their continuous dorsal and anal fins that merge with the tail.

In their natural environment, they are relatively social, often congregating in loose groups where cover is abundant. They are not aggressive fish and tend to flee at the first sign of a larger predator. When foraging, they use their highly sensitive barbels to detect vibrations and chemical signals from prey hidden in the substrate, making them efficient hunters even in complete darkness or turbid water.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture Rendahl's Catfish on camera, you must go underwater. A waterproof action camera or a specialized aquatic trail camera is required. For those with a creek or billabong on their property, place the camera in shallow water (1-2 feet deep) near submerged timber or overhanging banks. Use a weighted base or a small sandbag to keep the camera steady on the bottom, as even slight currents can cause motion blur in low-light settings.

Since this species is strictly nocturnal, the quality of your camera's infrared (IR) or white-light LEDs is critical. IR is preferred as it is less likely to spook the fish. Set your camera to video mode rather than stills; a 20-second clip will better capture their 'eel-like' undulations, which is their most defining visual characteristic. Ensure the lens is focused for close-range shots, as water clarity often limits visibility to just a few feet at night.

Using a lure is the most effective way to bring Rendahl's Catfish into the frame. A small mesh bag or a perforated canister filled with oily bait, such as canned tuna in spring water or crushed prawns, works wonders. Secure the bait approximately 12 inches in front of the lens. This not only draws them in but keeps them in the focal zone while they investigate the scent with their barbels.

Be mindful of water turbidity. If there has been recent heavy rain, wait for the sediment to settle before deploying your camera. In murky water, the light from the camera will reflect off suspended particles, creating a 'snowstorm' effect that obscures the fish. The best footage is usually captured during the dry season when the water is clear and the fish are concentrated in smaller areas.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Rendahl's Catfish.

Hyrtl's Tandan

Hyrtl's Tandan has a much deeper, more robust body and often exhibits a more golden or yellowish hue.

Obscure Catfish

The Obscure Catfish is generally smaller and has a slightly different arrangement of its fins near the tail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rendahl's Catfish are almost exclusively nocturnal. They emerge from hiding spots shortly after sunset and remain active throughout the night, with peak foraging occurring between 10 PM and 4 AM.

If you have a freshwater creek or billabong, you can attract them by providing structure like submerged logs or rock piles. For camera purposes, using scent-based baits like crushed shrimp or fish-based wet food in a mesh bag is highly effective.

They are insectivores and carnivores, primarily eating aquatic insects, larvae, and small crustaceans. They use their barbels to find food hidden in the mud or sand at the bottom of the water.

They are common in their specific range across Northern Australia, but they are rarely seen in developed suburban areas unless there is a well-preserved natural waterway or billabong nearby.

Rendahl's Catfish has a more slender, elongated body and its eyes are placed higher on its head compared to Hyrtl's Catfish (Neosilurus hyrtlii). Additionally, Rendahl's lacks the yellowish tint often seen in Hyrtl's.

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