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he validity of some nominal Parauchenoglanis species is questionable, since they cannot readily be distinguished from each other. This uncertainty is primarily due to the often very short and vague original descriptions of the oldest species, the often very small and badly preserved type specimens, and, of course, the incorrect redescription of P. guttatus and of the whole genus (Boulenger, 1902b, 1911) (Geerinckx, T., D. et al). The aquarist would need to know the exact location of specimens aquired.

Parauchenoglanis ngamensis - (Popa Okavango - Namibia)

The Parauchenoglanis genera are similar to Auchenoglanis the differences being that the former are smaller, more elongate and have not got quite as deep a body. The above specimen was captured just over the Angolan border in Namibia at the Popa Game Park which lies in the Namibian strip between Angola and Botswana. The Okavango River lies in southwest Africa. It is the fourth-longest river system in southern Africa, running southeastward for 1,600 km. It begins at an elevation of 1,300 metres in the sandy highlands of Angola, where it is known by the Portuguese name of Rio Cubango.

Parauchenoglanis ngamensis - juvenile

Another problem with identification is the differences between adult and juvenile markings with the latter being more strongly spotted or speckled as the image above shows. In 2004 Geerinckx et al. carried out a revision of of the Parauchenoglanis genus and it is probably stated that there is not a single illustration that is correctly identified in the aquarium and hobby literature (Seegers L 2008). At present (2022) there are nine species listed in the Parauchenoglanis genera, P. ahli (Holly, 1030), P. altipinnis (Boulenger, 1911), P. balayi (Sauvage, 1878), P. buettikoferi (Popta, 1913), P. longiceps (Boulenger, 1913), P. monkei (Keilhack, 1910), P. ngamensis (Boulenger, 1911), P. pantherinus (Pellegrin, 1929), and P. punctatus (Boulenger, 1902).

Parauchenoglanis ngamensis in its natural habitat favours rocky habitats or marginal vegetation in slow-flowing rivers and lagoons, often taking shelter under trees It has been found in the tributaries of the Kasai River, as well as in the upper Zambezi River basin and in the Okavango Delta (Angola, Zambia, Botswana).

Zambezi grunter

Auchenoglanis ngamensis

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Africa: Okavango, upper Zambesi and Kasai River system. Type locality: Okovango River.

38.0cm. (16¾ins)

22-26°C (71-79°F)

Humeral process of cleithrum, which is visible through the skin, bluntly triangular, with its width at base nearly as great as its length, with width being at least as great as orbital diameter. In adult specimens its upper margin usually becomes somewhat serrated. Head height greater than, rarely as great as, preorbital head length. Barbels relatively short, with external mandibular barbel never reaching beyond tip of pectoral fin spine. Caudal peduncle significantly higher than long, with minimal height much greater than horizontal distance between bases of adipose and caudal fins.

Varies considerably from bright to virtually blackish brown. Purple hue occasionally present. Belly brown to whitish. Zambezi and Okavango specimens are characterized by five to seven vertical rows of blackish spots on a background of lighter spots all over body. Kasai specimens typically lack background pattern, though intermediate forms may be found.

Grows quite large but not a predator as such so should be safe to house with smaller species. Best suited to the larger aquarium. Peaceful large catfish which will do well in company of larger characins from Africa and large Barbs.

Eggs are large and relatively few, suggesting parental care, but no details are known. 'Grunts' when taken out of the water.

Not recorded.

In its natural habitat its diet consists of small fishes and invertebrates like snails, shrimps and insects. In the aquarium it will eat a variety of foods. Tablet and pellet foods with a good quality flake and frozen bloodworms. Also relishes live worms such as the common garden worm, making sure that there has been no weed killer on the premises, and white worm.

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Caudal peduncle: The narrow part of a fish's body to which the caudal or tail fin is attached.
Cleithrum: The major bone of the pectoral girdle, extending upward from the pectoral fin base and forming the rear margin of the gill cavity, also: the principal bow-shaped bone of the prectoral girlde, dermal in origin, forming the rear margin of the gill cavity. It articulates dorsally with the supracleithrum and ventrally with the scapula and coracoid.
Humeral process: Bony extension of the pectoral girdle.
Pectoral fins: The paired fins just behind the head.

Parauchenoglanis: Greek, para = near + Greek, auchen = neck + Greek, glanis = a fish that can eat the bait without touching the hook; a cat fish.

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 ).
GBIF.org
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.
Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Boulenger, 1911) by South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (licensed under creativecommons.org).
Seegers, L., 2008. The catfishes of Africa: A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
Skelton, P.H., 1993. A complete guide to the freshwater fishes of southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers. 388 p.

Photo Credits

© Paul Skelton @ /

© Nkosinathi Mazungula @ /
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