Parailia congica Boulenger, 1899
photo by RMCA

Family:  Schilbeidae (Schilbid catfishes)
Max. size:  9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6.5 - 7.40000009536743; dH range: 18,
Distribution:  Africa: throughout the Congo River basin, from the Ubangi in the north southwards to at least Lake Upemba; records from the Niger (delta) or West Africa are based on misidentifications (Ref. 43912, 78218).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): -0; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 65-93. Diagnosis: adipose fin always absent; inner side of pectoral spine without serrations (Ref. 43912). Description: 9-10 branched pectoral fin rays; 45-52 non-fused vertebrae; gill rakers long; 9-11 branchiostegal rays on one side of head; head rounded; lower jaw reaching almost as far as snout; dorsum strongly curved; pectoral fins rather well rounded (Ref. 43912). Parailia congica is distinguished by the absence of both an adipose fin and any serrations on the inner side of the pectoral spine; in P. spiniserrata an adipose is also absent but in this species the inner side of the pectoral fin is coarsely serrated (Ref. 43912). Coloration: live as well as preserved specimens: base colour pale (light yellow brownish), with small dark points on sides (not along lateral line), head and back; chin and belly unspeckled; all fins finely speckled; longitudinal indistinct grey tail stripe often observed just above level of caudal fork (Ref. 43912).
Biology:  Schooling species, confined to larger rivers; most active during the night (Ref. 43912). Feed mainly on aquatic and small terrestrial insects (Ref. 6868), insect larvae and small worms (Ref. 43912). Oviparous, eggs are unguarded (Ref. 205). Maximum reported TL 100 mm (Ref. 43912). Of very little economic importance; occasionally this species has been exported for aquarist purposes (Ref. 43912).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.