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Russell Brian Tate (2) Robert Taylor (1)

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Mouth is used as a sucking disc to hold its position in fast flowing waters. Gut length is less than standard length and the mandibular teeth are used to scrape invertebrates from stones. The species is differentiated from other Chiloglanis by the presence of a smooth dorsal spine, long widely spaced mandibular teeth and an emarginate caudal fin. Habitat: Found in shallow rocky runs and riffles of clear rivers, at an altitude of 900-1200 m above sea level, and depths from 0.2 to 0.4 m. Reproduction: Oviparous. Distinct pairing during breeding and is likely to be an interstitial gravel spawner. Colouration: Mid brown colouration, light brown on the belly, with a dark brown on the head and dorsum as well as the upper parts of the flanks. Along the lateral line there is a narrow beige coloured stripe; variably sized spots of the same colour are distributed over the body and mark the secondary lateral line system. Aquarium Care: Good oxygenated water from a power filter. Sand or gravel substrate with smooth rocks or pebbles. Their dorsal and pectoral fins are sharp and can cause wounds if not handled carefully. Diet: Feeds on invertebrates such as mayfly nymphs and caddis fly, blackfly or midge larvae grazed from rocks. Remarks: This species is widespread although not abundant from the Phongolo River north to the Incomati River, South Africa. Despite varied impacts recent surveys in Swaziland indicate that it is more common there than in South African rivers (Bills et al. 2004, Diedericks et al. 2016). A population decline, especially in South Africa, has been observed where the Phongolo Suckermouth (Chiloglanis emarginatus) was only found at one locality in the Usutu Catchment, South Africa (Diedericks et al. 2016). This decline can be imputed to coal mining with resultant pollution and increased sedimentation resulting in habitat loss. It is known from an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 16,663 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 252 km², with 10 known locations, eight from Swaziland (Nkomati-, Mbuluzi-, Mlawula-, Mpuluzi-, Lusushwane-, Ngwempisi-, Hlelo-, Mkhondvu-river) and two from South Africa (Upper Ngwempisi- and Pongolo rivers). It qualifies as Vulnerable B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(iii,iv) and this species should be closely monitored especially in South Africa, where threats are significant (IUCN Red List).

Phongolo Suckermouth

None

Mochokidae

Africa: Two areas, tributaries of the Pongolo and Komato-Incomati rivers in South Africa and Swaziland, and the Pungwe and middle and lower Zambezi in Zimbabwe. Type locality: Lekkerloop River, tributary of the Komati River of the Incomati River system, on the farm Vergelegen, Carolina District, Southern Africa.

6.5cm. (2½ins)

22-25°C (71-77°F)

6.0-7.2.

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. 2022. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 07/2022 ).
Gosse, J.-P., 1986. Mochokidae. p. 105-152. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2.
Roux, F. & Hoffman, A. . 2018. Chiloglanis emarginatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018.