| Family: |
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes), subfamily: Mochokinae |
| Max. size: |
38.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 506.0 g |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7.5; dH range: 20, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: in the Congo River basin in the Kasai system, upper Lualaba, Luapula drainage and lakes Mweru and Bangwelo in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia (Ref. 75786, 82238). Also in the upper Zambezi and Okavango (Ref. 7248, 11970, 52193, 75786), Cunene, Limpopo (Ref. 3202, 11970, 75786, 82238) and Lake Chiuta (Ref. 75786). Absent from the Lake Tanganyika drainage (Ref. 78218). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-15. Description: Body deep (Ref. 52193). Barbels long and slender, with filamentous branches; mandibular teeth 21-43 in a broad band (Ref. 52193). Humeral process triangular, pointed (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 1 spine and 7 soft rays; anal fin with 4-6 unbranched and 7-9 branched rays; caudal fin forked (Ref. 52193). Colouration: Olive green, entire body covered with round black spots about the sizeof the eye (Ref. 52193). |
| Biology: |
Prefers rocks or marginal vegetation of flowing riverine channels to lagoons or backwaters (Ref. 7248, 52193). It feeds on a variety of food including detritus, algae and plant material, insects, snails and small fish, and scavenges readily (Ref. 7248, 52193). Eggs and larvae of cichlids have been reported in stomach of this species (Ref. 78218). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Breeds during the summer rainy season (Ref. 7248, 52193), with a peak coinciding with heavy rains in January to March (Ref. 13337). Juveniles move off the floodplains when water recedes (Ref. 13337). Grows to a large size (Ref. 246). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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