| Family: |
Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels) |
| Max. size: |
33.8 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: lower Congo River and Pool Malebo in Democratic Republic of the Congo, and lower Kotto and Bomu rivers (Ubangui drainage, middle Congo River basin) in Central African Republic; also reported from Bangui fish market in Central African Republic (Ref. 28147). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 22-26; Dorsal soft rays (total): 66-92; Anal spines: 1-2; Anal soft rays: 63-92; Vertebrae: 74-82. Can be distinguished from other African mastacembelid species by following combination of characters: small eyes, anterior border of first dorsal spine situated before, above, or just behind posterior edge of pectoral fin; generally the color pattern is uniform (Ref. 28147). |
| Biology: |
Collected mostly from the rapids. For specimens of the Lower Congo River basin (mainstream), water temperature was recorded at a range of 24.7-29.0°C, air temperature at 23.3-30.0°C, D.O. 8.0 mg/l, and pH 7.0-7.5 (Ref. 28147). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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