Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Amphiliidae (Loach catfishes) > Leptoglaninae
Etymology: Zaireichthys: Composed form Zaire river + Greek,ichtys = fish; the habitat of this fish (Ref. 45335); heterurus: The name heterurus is from the Greek 'heteros', different, and 'oura', tail (Ref. 51287).
More on author: Roberts.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: eastern Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 51287, 78218, 86935).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 51287)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 33 - 34. Diagnosis: Zaireichthys heterurus is distinguished from all other species of Zaireichthys by the presence of only 5 principal rays in the lower lobe of the caudal fin (Ref. 86935). The species has, like Zaireichthys zonatus a broad dark collar immediately posterior to head; larger specimens become stouter, more than any other leptoglanin species (Ref. 86935).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Found in clear, swift flowing tributaries lying to the east of the Congo River mainstream (Ref. 51287).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Roberts, T.R., 2003. Systematics and osteology of Leptoglaninae a new subfamily of the African catfish family Amphiliidae, with descriptions of three new genera and six new species. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 54(5):81-132. (Ref. 51287)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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