| Family: |
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae |
| Max. size: |
20.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,500.0 g |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Nile (Ref. 7362, 28714), Senegal, Gambia, upper Volta (Ref. 57223), Ogun (Ref. 31256), Osse, Niger (including the Bénoué) and Chad basins (Ref. 57223). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: -0. Diagnosis: gill slits extending downwards beyond pectoral-fin insertions, but remaining separate by an interval greater than eye diameter; maxillary barbels not longer than head, without tubercles or ramifications, but with a broad black membrane almost extending over their entire length; mandibular barbels without membrane; ramifications of outer mandibular barbels few and simple, those of inner mandibular barbels more numerous and subdivided; mandibular teeth slender and short, numbering 30-57; pectoral-fin spines more strongly denticulate on inner than on outer margin; anterior margin of dorsal-fin spine smooth, except for some apical serrations; humeral process rather deep, granulose and weakly keeled ventrally; adipose fin high and almost contiguous to rayed dorsal fin (proportionately
less high in young individuals)(Ref. 57223).
Coloration: typically an inverted colour pattern, the back being light grey and the belly black; pelvics, anal and caudal fins always covered with transversely aligned spots; other spots also tend to form transverse series, but these are not as well-defined; maxillary barbels bordered by a broad, black membrane (Ref. 57223). |
| Biology: |
Omnivore, feeds on plankton, algae and detritus (Ref. 13868). May also feed on surface insects, chironomid larvae, benthic crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 28714). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Maximum size reported as 50.0cm total length in Ref. 3799, but only 26.5cm total length in Ref. 57223. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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