Chrysichthys turkana Hardman, 2008

Family:  Claroteidae (Claroteid catfishes)
Max. size:  9.34 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: restricted to Lake Turkana, Kenya (Ref. 78586).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-6; Anal soft rays: 10-11. Tooth bands of the premaxillae forming a broad arc of uniform width with squared ends and a shallow notch anteromedially (Ref. 78586). Prevomerine tooth patches separated at the midline and accessory tooth plates narrowing posteriorly to a sharp point along a smooth curve (Ref. 78586). Postcleithral process well developed and projecting sharply posteriad (Ref. 78586). Horizontal eye diameter contained 2.7-3.1 times in head length and interorbital width contained 3.8-7.7 times in head length (Ref. 78586).
Biology:  Demersal during the day; locally abundant between 10 and 25 m depth zones; migrates closer to shore at dusk to feed on chironomid larvae and ostracods; onset of maturity at rather small size (60-70 mm) and extended reproductive period (Ref. 78586).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 23 June 2022 (B1ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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