Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Claroteidae (Claroteid catfishes)
Etymology: Chrysichthys: Greek, chrysos = golden + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335); turkana: The species name is alluding to the type locality and predominant tribe in northwestern Kenya (Ref. 78586).
Eponymy: These species are named after both Lake Turkana, Kenya, and the Turkana people, who are the predominant tribe in that area. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: restricted to Lake Turkana, Kenya (Ref. 78586).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 78586)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 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).
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).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Hardman, M., 2008. A new species of Chrysichthys (Siluriformes: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana, Kenya. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 157(1):25-36. (Ref. 78586)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01047 (0.00456 - 0.02402), b=2.98 (2.80 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.2 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).