Parakneria lufirae Poll, 1965

Family:  Kneriidae (Shellears)
Max. size:  8.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Lufira drainage (Upper Lualaba basin) in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 89136).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: body depth 6.8-8.5 times in SL; head length 4.3-4.8 times in SL; snout rounded, its length 2.1-2.4 times in HL; eye superolateral, its diameter 5.3-6.2 times in HL, 1.7-2.3 times in interorbital distance, 2.2-2.8 times in snout length; dorsal fin origin 1.1-1.3 times furhter from pelvic fin origin than from caudal fin origin; anal fin 1.6-2 times further from pelvic fin orogin than from caudal fin origin; pectoral fin large, 4-4.6 times in SL, 0.9-1.1 times longer than head; pelvic fin 6-7.3 times in SL, 1.3-1.5 times in HL; caudal peduncle 1.3-1.7 times longer than deep (Ref. 89136). Description: mouth inferior; lower lip absent, but cutting edge present on lower jaw; scales small; caudal fin with 19-20 soft rays, deeply forked, lower lobe a little longer than upper (Ref. 89136). Coloration: ground color yellowish; mediolateral band of 8-9 more or less confluent spots; smaller spots dorsally and on lower flanks; dorsal spots alternating, median spots larger; fins greyish with more or less clear transversal bands, most obvious on the caudal fin lobes which have 2-3 transversal bands; some larger individuals very pale, with a mediolateral and mediodorsal series of large spots (Ref. 89136).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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