Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anabantiformes (Gouramies, snakeheads) >
Anabantidae (Climbing gouramies)
Etymology: Microctenopoma: Greek, mikros = small + Greek, kteis, ktenos = comb + Greek, poma = cover, operculum (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Dr William John Ansorge (1850–1913) was an English explorer and collector who was active in Africa in the second half of the 19th century. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19. Tropical; 26°C - 28°C (Ref. 1672)
Africa: Chiloango River, and widespread in the central Congo basin; possibly also in the Nyong in Cameroon (Ref. 81650). Report from tropical West Africa (Ref. 4537) unconfirmed (Ref. 57414).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81650)
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 10; Anal spines: 10 - 12; Anal soft rays: 7 - 10; Vertebrae: 26 - 27. Diagnosis: dorsal fin with 16-19 spines and 6-8 soft rays; anal fin with 10-12 spines and 7-10 soft rays; subopercle rarely serrated (in adults); caudal fin rounded in adults; caudal peduncle very short; flanks barred, breeding males marked with orange on flanks (Ref. 81650).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Maximum total length reported 8.0 cm (Ref. 6803).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gosse, J.-P., 1986. Anabantidae. p. 402-414. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 6803)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
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