Hylopanchax ndeko van der Zee, Sonnenberg & Schliewen, 2013
Hylopanchax ndeko
photo by Schliewen, L.

Family:  Procatopodidae (African lampeyes), subfamily: Procatopodinae
Max. size:  3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Lokoro River in Salonga National Park (Mai Ndombe drainage) (Ref. 94189) and the Kangara River (Lukenie drainage) (Ref. 96960), in the middle Congo River basin in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21; Vertebrae: 30-30. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from all other Hylopanchax species except for Hylopanchax leki by the position of the insertion of the dorsal fin (D/A = 8-11 vs. D/A = 11-14), the number of dorsal fin rays (12-14 vs. 6-9), the number of pectoral fin rays (12-13 vs. 8-10), the number of transversal scales (18-22 vs. 15-16), by its deep body (24.3-34.3% of standard length vs. 16.3-25.6% of standard length), by the low caudal peduncle ration (1.2-1.5 vs. 1.6-2.4), and by having 2 or 3 rows of scales underneath the eye versus 1 row of scales; it has longer dorsal spines of vertebrae at mid-body versus short dorsal spines with lower length differences between mid-body and anterior or posterior spines (Ref. 94189). Its is distinguished from Hylopanchax leki by having more scales in the longitudinal line (24-26 vs. 21-23) and male colour pattern; snout and lower jaw yellow versus dark orange snout and lower jaw in H. leki; dorsal and anal fin yellow with red distal edges versus dark orange anal and dorsal fin (Ref. 94189). Description: A large and deep Hylopanchax species, laterally strongly compressed; dorsal profile convex, slightly concave at nape; greatest body depth between pelvic and anal fin; ventral profile convex from head to end of anal fin; snout rounded, mouth directed upwards, lower jaw longer than upper jaw; on both jaws an outer row of larger, slightly curved conical teeth, inner teeth row more irregular arranged with smaller teeth; symphysis forming a ridge on lower and less on upper jaw; branchiostegal appendages present in adult males (Ref. 94189). Frontal and nasal neuromasts not present, one pre-orbital neuromast in short shallow open groove; post-orbital and supra-orbital neuromast system provided with large neuromasts and large lobes, covering a great part of the groove; pre-opercular neuromast system with 5 pores (Ref. 94189). Scales cycloid, body completely scaled except ventral head surface, 2 or 3 rows of scales underneath the eye, frontal squamation of G-type, no scales on dorsal and anal fin base, scales on mid longitudinal series 24-26 (Ref. 94189). Number of dorsal fin rays 12-14, anal fin rays 18-21, caudal fin rays 24-26, pelvic fin rays 6, pectoral fin rays 12-13; first dorsal fin ray above anal fin ray 8-10 (Ref. 94189). Colouration: Males have back olive brown, flanks silverish with blue shine, changing to white on ventral side, snout and lower jaw yellow; throat white; flanks with four to five rows of scales anteriorly edged with black crescent shaped markings; dorsal and anal fins yellow with red edge, pelvic fins yellow with red margin; caudal fin blue with posterior white edge; pectoral fins translucent; narrow black band at base of anal fin; urogenital papilla black (Ref. 94189). No information on live colouration is available for females (Ref. 94189).
Biology:  Found in small shady streams and rivers (Ref. 94189).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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