| Family: |
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae |
| Max. size: |
26 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Niger basin, including the Benue (Ref. 57223). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; maxillary barbels longer than head, bearing externally short and tuberculate ramifications and a broad membrane extending along their basal part; outer mandibular barbels with simple, thick ramifications, branches of inner mandibular barbels tuberculate, sometimes subdivided; mandibular teeth short, numbering 59-66 (possibly up to 82); pectoral-fin spines very strongly denticulate on inner margin, but nearly smooth on outer margin; dorsal-fin spine denticulate on front margin and prolonged into a filament; humeral process deep, granulose and not keeled ventrally; adipose fin very well developed and contiguous to rayed dorsal fin; body deep; eyes large (Ref. 57223).
Coloration: general background greyish-brown, colour pattern inverted, the ventral areas being dark (Ref. 57223). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in vegetated areas of the lake. Omnivore, feeds on plankton and detritus (Ref.13868). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum total length 350mm (Ref. 57223). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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