Chiloglanis batesii Boulenger, 1904
photo by Mertens, P.

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Chiloglanidinae
Max. size:  4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish,
Distribution:  Africa: Niger basin (Ref. 57223, 81251), Oshun, Osse, Cross (Ref. 57223), headwaters of the Chad basin (Ref. 57223, 81251), and almost every river basin in Cameroon except the Ndian and Nyong; absent west of the Niger (Ref. 81251). Probably absent from the Congo basin where C. micropogon is found (see Ref. 87986).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6; Anal spines: -0; Vertebrae: 30-33. Diagnosis: labial disk/sucker rather large (Ref. 57223, 81251), round or longer than broad rather than transversely oval (Ref. 81251). Mandibular barbels reduced; mandibular teeth numbering at most 6+6, often 5+5, and occasionally 4+4 (Ref. 57223, 81251). Adipose fin high (Ref. 81251), rounded posteriorly, beginning slightly ahead of anal-fin origin (Ref. 57223, 81251). Caudal fin deeply forked; eyes rather large; very pronounced sexual dimorphism: males (even in premature stages) with enlarged caudal fin, in particular the upper lobe which also becomes more pointed or even filamentous; males also have a large and rounded humeral process (Ref. 57223, 81251). Coloration: live specimens: diffuse dark vertical bars (that may even form a marbled pattern) delimiting better defined paler (yellowish or olivaceous) areas; dark vertical bars also present at bases of pectoral and caudal fin bases, but caudal-fin lobes pale yellow; finally, anal fin marked with dark spots, but these are less distinct than those in C. disneyi collected at the same locality (Ref. 57223, 81251).
Biology:  Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum total length 47 mm (Ref. 3202).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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