Family: |
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae |
Max. size: |
47 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
Distribution: |
Africa: upper Niger and inner Niger delta in Mali (Ref. 57223). |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; snout rounded, at most 65% of head length; post-orbital length at most 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels not fringed or very slightly fringed at base, shorter than head, unbranched and without tubercles or membranes (although a tiny rudiment may occasionally be discernible at their bases); outer mandibular barbels with few simple and rather long ramifications; branches of inner mandibular barbels short, subdivided and more or less tuberculate; mandibular teeth numbering 31-47 (40 in the neotype); dorsal-fin spine short and smooth anteriorly; denticulation of pectoral-fin spines finer on outer than on inner margin; humeral process narrow, triangular, rather pointed and not keeled ventrally; adipose fin rather long and distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin, its height variable with specimens; head very broad, snout rounded and eyes small, in dorsal position (Ref. 57223).
Coloration: preserved specimens dark brown; according to Daget (1954), colour in life «olivaceous yellow on back and sides, lighter on belly»; body and adipose fin covered with large black spots, which become smaller on belly and on other fins (Ref. 57223). |
Biology: |
Maximum TL was recorded at 60.0 cm (Ref. 57223). Oviparous (Ref. 205). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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