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Parauchenoglanis buettikoferi (Popta, 1913)

Image contributors to this species:

Dr.Tom Geerinckx (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

This genera, which includes another 8 species are quite difficult to identify, and on top of this juveniles can have different markings and colouration to the adult versions. First transferred into Parauchenoglanis by Skelton in 1993. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: occipital process reaching to first nuchal plate; mouth equal to snout length; width of premaxillary tooth plate 15% of head length; eye large (14.2% of head length); pelvic fin short; Colouration: The coloration of the holotype of P. buettikoferi was described by Popta (1913) when it had already been preserved in alcohol for some time. She described the colour as violet brown. Afterwards the specimen was stained for bone, such that it is now impossible to perceive many details of the colour pattern. An examination of the specimen reveals the apparent presence of about four large spots on the flank. Habitat: The holotype of Parauchenoglanis buettikoferi was collected in the Warri River in the Western Niger Delta (Nigeria). No other specimens seem to have been subsequently collected. Aquarium Care: At present (2022) there is no known record of any importations. Etymology: The genus name Parauchenoglanis: para-, near, referring to similarity and/or close relationship with Auchenoglanis. The specific name buettikoferi: in honour of Swiss zoologist Johann Büttikofer (1850-1927), Director, Zoological Garden in Rotterdam, who presented type to the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie (Leiden, Netherlands).

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Auchenoglanis büttikoferi

Family:

Auchenoglanididae

Distribution:

Africa: Upper Nigeria; known only from the holotype (Risch, 1986; Geerinckx et al., 2004). Type locality: Warri, in Upper Nigeria.

Size:

9.0cm. (3¾ins) (only specimen).

Temp:

22-26°C (71-79°F)

p.H.

6.2-7.5.

IUCN Red List

This species is known only from the type locality, with an area of occupancy (AOO) of 4 km2. The holotype was collected in the Warri river in the western Niger Delta (Nigeria). No other specimens have subsequently been collected. It is threatened by oil exploration and urban and industrial development, which are causing declines in habitat area and quality. It is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (IUCN 2020).

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. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 02/2021 ).
Geerinckx, T., D. Adriaens, G.G. Teugels and W. Verraes, 2004. A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae). J. Nat. Hist. 38:775-803.
Geerinckx, T., L. Risch, E.J. Vreven, D. Adriaens and G.G. Teugels, 2007. Claroteidae. p. 587-629. In M.L.J. Stiassny, G.G. Teugels and C.D. Hopkins (eds.) The fresh and brackish water fishes of Lower Guinea, West-Central Africa. Volume I. Collection Faune et Flore tropicales 42. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, and Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium. 800 pp.
IUCN. 2019. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2010.3).
Olaosebikan, B.D. 2020. Parauchenoglanis buettikoferi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Parauchenoglanis buettikoferi
Holotype-Upper Warri River, Nigeria

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