| Family: |
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
14.46 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Ogowe River basin in Gabon and Republic of Congo (Ref. 58516, 81644). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 99-109; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 90-100; Vertebrae: 70-82. 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 (99-109) and anal (90-100) fin rays (Ref. 81644). Pectoral spine serrate on anterior margin only (Ref. 58516, 81644).
Description: body elongated, abdominal depth 6.0-11.6% SL (mean 8.6); long dorsal and anal fins, continuous with caudal fin; low number of vertebrae (70-82, mode 72); distance between supraoccipital process and dorsal fin 8.3-15.8% SL (mean 12.0); pectoral fins present, length between 36.1-51.8% skull length; pelvic fins sometimes absent, length between 20.8-31.2% skull length; skull length, 12.2-27.0% SL (mean 19.0); skull width 45.4-71.5% skull length; skull roof (exposed bony part in between bulging jaw muscles) very narrow, 14.9-57.8% (mean 26.7) skull length; jaw muscles hypertrophied and bulging; eyes bordered by small infraorbital bones, of which postorbital one is plate-like and bears a supraorbital process reaching rostral border of eye; eyes small, without free orbital rim; ; lower lip almost reaches as far as upper lip (Ref. 81644).
Coloration: in life, equally light brown along whole body, abdomen slightly paler ventrally; alcohol preserved specimens somewhat paler; a clear whitish spot on skull roof, between anterior and posterior fontanel (Ref. 81644). |
| Biology: |
Maximum total length reported 155mm (Ref. 81644). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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