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he catfish species Chrysichthys brachynema, also known as the Kibonde or salmontail catfish, is found in Lake Tanganyika. It belongs to the Claroteidae family and was first described by George Albert Boulenger in 1900. This fish can grow up to 77cm (30 inches) in length and primarily inhabits inshore areas of the lake, where it feeds mainly on crabs.

    Chrysichthys brachynema

Chrysichthys brachynema is endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it is widely distributed along the littoral zone. Locally threatened by siltation and heavy fishing pressure but the impacts are not thought to be lake-wide.

The discovery of Chrysichthys brachynema was made by Mr J. E. S. Moore in Lake Tanganyika during his expedition between 1895-1896 and later described by George Albert Boulenger in 1900. George Albert Boulenger (19 October 1858 – 23 November 1937) was a Belgian-British zoologist who described and gave scientific names to over 2,000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Boulenger was also an active botanist during the last 30 years of his life, especially in the study of roses.

The report focuses on the ichthyology of Lake Tanganyika, specifically the fish species found during Moore's expedition. It provides a detailed account of the collected specimens, likely including descriptions, classifications, and potentially illustrations or plates. The appendix by J.E.S. Moore may offer additional insights into the expedition, the collection process, or other observations related to the fish and their environment. The publication is significant for its contribution to the understanding of the fish fauna of Lake Tanganyika during that period.

Goldback spiny catfish, Kibonde

Amarginops brachynema, Chrysichthys myriodon

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Africa: Lake Tanganyika. Type locality: Kalambo [Lake Tanganyika].

70.0cm. (2ft 4ins)

24-28°C (75-83°F)

Head little longer than broad, smooth above; snout twice as broad as long; diameter of eye 5 to 6 times in length of head; maxillary barbels half or two thirds length of head outer mandibular one third or half; nasal barbels not or but scarcely longer than diameter of eye; teeth on the palate forming a broad crescentic or horse-shoe shaped band on the vomer and pterygoids. Dorsal spine one third or two fifths length of head. Adipose fin measuring one third or half its distance from the rayed dorsal. Pectoral spine very strongly serrated. Caudal deeply notched, with obtusely pointed lobes.

As with most of this genera it cannot to be trusted with smaller tank mates. Would do better with larger African Tetras or Cichlids. Give it a choice of hiding places to make it feel more comfortable in its surroundings as it can be nocturnal. This is a species for the larger aquarium or at least a Public Aquarium setting. Care should be taken when handling as the sharp dorsal and pectoral spines are covered in mucus that will irritate the skin. Can live in fresh or brackish water.

Unreported

In mature males the skin is thickened and becomes coated in mucus, pectoral and dorsal fin spines are thicker and less needle like.

Inhabits inshore areas of the lake down to 30m depth and feeds mainly on crabs. They are an omnivore and will take a wide variety of food in the aquarium including frozen food, tablets, pellets and prawns.

Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Mandibular: Pertaining to the lower jaw, (mandibular barbels).
Maxillary: Pertaining to the upper jaw, (maxillary barbels).
Nasal: On top of the head, by the nostrils, (nasal barbels).
Palatine: The teeth present on the palatine bone which lies laterally in the roof of the mouth.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Pectoral fin: The paired fins just behind the head.
Pelvic fin: The paired fins, between the pectorals and the anal fins (also referred to as ventrals).
Pterygoids: Refers to a pair of muscles involved in jaw movements: the medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid. These muscles are crucial for mastication (chewing) and contribute to various jaw actions like opening, closing, and side-to-side movements.
Vomer: The anterior bone in the mid-line of the roof of the mouth.

Chrysichthys: chrysós (Gr.), gold or golden, referring to golden-yellow head and/or specific name of C. auratus (=golden); ichthýs (Gr.), fish.
brachynema: brachys (Gr.), short; nëma (Gr.), thread, referring to “nasal barbel not or but scarcely longer than diameter of eye”.

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© Map: Encyclopædia Britannica 2025.