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Mochokus brevis Boulenger, 1906

Image contributors to this species:

Boulenger (1911) (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: body short and robust, its depth 4.2-5.2 times in standard length; head as long as broad, dorsal surface rough; maxillary barbels non-membranous and unbranched, up to 2 times longer than head; mandibular barbels with short, simple ramifications; humeral process long and pointed; 1st dorsal-fin spine smooth on anterior and posterior margins; 2nd dorsal fin with 10-14 rays; pectoral-fin spines more strongly denticulate on inner than on outer margin; caudal fin deeply forked, with upper lobe slightly longer than lower. Habitat: This is a demersal, potamodromous fish found in lakes and majors rivers in shallow waters and marginal vegetation. Colouration: General colour pattern similar to that of M. niloticus, but there seem to be fewer dots on dorsal fins. Reproduction: Oviparous. Distinct pairing during breeding. Diet: It probably feeds on mollusc and insect larvae. Etymology: Genus name of Mochokus is the latinisation of Mouchchouéké, Arabic name for M. niloticus, roughly translating as “don’t get stung or jabbed by it,” referring to its dangerously sharp spines, which local fishermen try to avoid. Specific name of brevis means short, as it has a noticeably shorter and deeper body than M. niloticus.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Mochokidae

Distribution:

Africa: Nile and Chad basins. Type locality: Fashoda and Lake No, White Nile.

Size:

3.0cm. (1¼ins) T.L.

Temp:

22-28°C (71-83°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.8.

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 07/2023 ).
Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003. Mochokidae. p. 195-268 In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douce et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Tome 2. Coll. Faune et Flore tropicales 40. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Museum National d'Histoire Naturalle, Paris, France and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France. 815 p.
Seegers, L., 2008. The catfishes of Africa: A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.

Family: Mochokidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Mochokus brevis
Line drawing

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