Chrysichthys aluuensis Risch, 1985
Chrysichthys aluuensis
photo by RMCA / Mark Hanssens

Family:  Claroteidae (Claroteid catfishes), subfamily: Claroteinae
Max. size:  9.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: New Calabar and Imo rivers in Nigeria (Ref. 57126) and the Ntem in Cameroon (Ref. 7324, 81642). Report from the Cross (Ref. 13331) unconfirmed in Ref. 57126 or 81642.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-7; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Diagnosis: broad premaxillary tooth plate (width 37.8-44.9% of head length); very broad mouth (50.3-59.5% of head length) as compared to snout length (which attains only 28.9-35.3% of head length)(Ref. 57126, 81642). Snout length less than 75% mouth width (Ref. 81642). Palatine dentition strongly developed even in juveniles; nasal barbels long (14.5-26.6% of head length)(Ref. 57126, 81642). Gill rakers long and smooth (Ref. 57126). Dorsal fin spine short, 12-17% SL, more than six times in SL; dorsal fin base short, 18-23% SL (Ref. 81642). Description: nasal barbels present; very short first dorsal spine; well developed second spine, weakly denticulate along posterior margin; pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 5 branched soft rays (Ref. 57126). Anal fin with 12-13 soft rays (Ref. 81642), 3-5 unbranched and 7-9 branched (Ref. 57126, 81642). Coloration: coloration rather uniform; back darker than belly, with silvery reflections in live specimens; after preservation, head and back dark brown, belly whitish-creamy white; some individuals show a slightly marbled pattern; branches of sensorial system well visible on head (Ref. 57126, 81642).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 06 May 2019 (B2ab(ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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