Chiloglanis niger Roberts, 1989

Family:  Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Chiloglanidinae
Max. size:  3.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: Menchum River (Benue system, Niger basin)(Ref. 13094, 57223, 81251) and upper Cross River (Ref. 13331, 81251) in Cameroon. Report from Nigeria (Ref. 31256) questionable.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-6; Anal spines: -0; Vertebrae: 31-31. Diagnosis: labial disk longer than broad, very large and rounded; mandibular barbels very small (Ref. 57223, 81251). No auxiliary mandibular barbels; premaxillary teeth large in 7-8 rows (Ref. 81251). Mandibular teeth usually in 2 rows, numbering 8+8 to 10+10 (in smallest specimens 6+6 to 7+7); adipose fin small/short, beginning slightly ahead of anal-fin origin; caudal peduncle slender, elongate; caudal fin (moderately) forked, lobes more or less equal in size; eyes very small; sexual dimorphism does not seem to exist, although mature individuals have never been examined (Ref. 57223, 81251). Coloration: live specimens: uniformly dark, nearly black, except on abdomen/belly which is light; alternation of dark and pale areas typical of Chiloglanis species has not been observed in fresh specimens of this species, but becomes slightly apparent after preservation (Ref. 57223, 81251).
Biology:  Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 16 April 2020 (B1ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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