| Family: |
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
22 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Ivindo River in Gabon (Ref. 58516, 81644) and the Mabelle River (Ref. 42020)(Mbini tributary) in Equatorial Guinea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 98-116; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 75-105; Vertebrae: 84-91. Diagnosis: large, well pronounced supraorbital process present on infraorbital IV, reaching rostral border of eye; fenestra between scapulo-coracoid and cleithrum present; no contact between entopterygoid and quadrate; pale spot present on skull roof between anterior and posterior fontanel; low number of dorsal (98-116) and anal (75-105) fin rays (Ref. 81644). Clear serrations on both sides of pectoral spine (Ref. 58516, 81644).
Description: body elongated, abdominal depth 4.0-9.8% SL (mean 6.3); long dorsal and anal fins, continuous with caudal fin; dorsal fin rays 98-116 (mode 105), anal fin rays 75-105 (mode 98); distance between supraoccipital process and dorsal fin 9.1-17.6% SL (mean 11.6); pectoral fins present, length between 41.8-73.5% skull length; pelvic fins present, length between 4.2-14.4% skull length; skull short, 5.8-13.8% SL (mean 8.5); skull width 64.4-79.6% skull length; skull roof (exposed bony part in between bulging jaw muscles) very narrow, 13.3-42.0% (mean 24.2) skull length; jaw muscles hypertrophied and bulging; eyes bordered by small infraorbital bones, of which postorbital one shows plate-like outgrowth and bears a supraorbital process reaching rostral border of eye; eyes small, without free orbital rim; lower lip clearly shorter than upper lip (Ref. 81644).
Coloration: in live: brown dorsal side, gradually fading to a lighter brown colour, undefined paler line in the middle (Ref. 81644). Alcohol preserved specimens: light brown colour, gradually fading to a paler ventral side; a well-defined pale spot on skull roof (Ref. 81644). |
| Biology: |
Maximum total length recorded 323mm (Ref. 81644). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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