Taxonomy & naming
Described by Francis Hamilton (as Pimelodus mangois) in 1822 and now placed in Amblyceps, hence the parentheses. The type locality is Nathpur on the Kosi River, India. It is the type species of its genus, and a valid species in the Catalog of Fishes.
Morphology
A small, elongate, soft-skinned catfish with a flattened head, four pairs of barbels and a long adipose fin that runs close to the tail. FishBase gives a maximum of 5 in SL.
Habitat
A hillstream species recorded by FishBase from Pakistan to Thailand, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra region. It occurs on pebbly beds in swift current at the base of hills, among rocks and boulders in fast upland streams.
Feeding
A small benthic predator on aquatic insects and other small invertebrates. In the aquarium it takes frozen bloodworm and similar small foods.
Mating
Mating behaviour is not documented for Amblyceps mangois in the sources available to the atlas. Sexes cannot be separated reliably from the information available.
Breeding
No aquarium breeding record is known to the atlas.
In the aquarium
Offer a cool-to-moderate, oxygenated tank with current, rock crevices and a dark retreat. It is nocturnal and shy, and can eat very small fish. Not widely available.
Conservation
The IUCN Red List assessed Amblyceps mangois as Least Concern in 2009. Hillstream fishes are sensitive to siltation, damming and altered flow.