Ctenopoma ocellatum Pellegrin, 1899
Eyespot ctenopoma
Ctenopoma ocellatum
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Anabantidae (Climbing gouramies)
Max. size:  13.54 cm SL (male/unsexed); 13.77 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7.5; dH range: 5 - 12,
Distribution:  Africa: middle Congo River basin in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 1880, 4910, 41585, 41590, 41591) and Republic of Congo (Ref. 44840). Also reported from the Niger delta in Nigeria (Ref. 57414).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 9-10; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Diagnosis: snout and head acute; jaws protrusible (ascending process of premaxilla extends to anterior border of orbit); flanks often marked by a series of uneven chain-like bars; soft dorsal and anal fins acute and when spread closely appressed to dorsal and ventral margins of caudal fin, forming continuous sheet of fin (Ref. 57414). Description: 1 cephalic pore in interocular space; 25 scales in lateral series; 14-16 scales in upper lateral line; 9-14 scales in lower lateral line; 2.5-3 scales above upper lateral line; 7-9.5 scales below; operculum, suboperculum, interoperculum well serrated; preoperculum often serrated; 16 soft rays in caudal fin (Ref. 57414). Coloration: body, head and unpaired fins light to dark brown; distinct, dark spot (usually ocellated even in adults) present at base of caudal fin and flank marked by narrow and irregular bars; pelvic fins well pigmented, sometimes bearing several dark spots or stripes; juveniles largely pigmented as adults, although caudal spot more strongly ocellated and flank bars more strongly defined; living specimens patterned as above, coloured in various shades of brown (Ref. 57414).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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