Zaireichthys
pallidus Eccles, Tweddle & Skelton, 2011 |
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Image
contributors to this species: |
Nathan Cook (2) |
ScotCat
Sources: |
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Other
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Relevant Information: |
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal
soft rays (total): 4-5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 -
12; Vertebrae: 36 - 38. Diagnosis: This species is generally
more pallid and less conspicuously marked than other species
of Zaireichthys. It differs from Zaireichthys conspicuus,
Z. kunenensis, Z. lacustris and Z. maravensis
in possessing a narrow premaxillary tooth patch, less than 40%
of the mouth width; from Z. monomotapa by the smaller number
of rays in the dorsal fin, 4-5 soft rays vs. 5-6), pectoral
fins, 5-7 vs. 7-8, and caudal fin, 9-13 vs. 14-16; from Z.
kavangoensis in colour pattern. Found in shallow water
with a sandy bottom where it buries itself. It feeds on small
invertebrates, including mayfly nymphs and caddis fly larvae.
Colour: In life almost transparent, preserved
usually very pale yellow, with a few minute black spots scattered
irregularly over the body. A few specimens are darker, but rarely
show a definite pattern except for a series of darker patches
along the back, the first at the base of the dorsal, and an
irregular darker line mid-laterally. The dark individuals can
be readily distinguished from the other members of the genus
by the shape of the melanophores, which are unusually large
and rectangular in shape. Etymology: Named
for its very pale colouration. |
Common
Name: |
Pale sand catlet |
Synonyms: |
None |
Family: |
Amphiliidaeblycipitidae |
Distribution: |
Africa:
Known only from the Upper Zambezi up to and including the Barotse
Floodplain in Zambia (Tweddle et al., 2004), and the Chobe and
Kwando rivers, in the area of the Eastern Caprivi, Namibia.
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Size:
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2.5cm. (1ins) |
Temp: |
22-25°c
(71-77°f.) |
p.H. |
6.5-7.2. |
Reference: |
Eccles, D.H., D. Tweddle
and P.H. Skelton, 2011. Eight new species in the dwarf
catfish genus Zaireichthys (Siluriformes: Amphiliidae). Smithiana
Bull. (13):3-28. |
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