Description:
Chiloglanis fortuitus is distinguished from
all known species of Chiloglanis, including all species
in the Upper Guinean Forest, except C. disneyi,
C. microps, C. niger, and C.
orthodontus, in having 18 mandibular teeth in
the functional row (vs. 6–15 teeth; Table 1).
It is easily distinguished from C. disneyi,
C. microps, and C. niger in having
longer mandibular barbels whereas these are absent
or reduced in the latter species. Chiloglanis
fortuitus is distinguished from C. orthodontus
in having a more robustoral disc
and its length equal to its width versus length much
shorter than width (Friel and Vigliotta, 2011). Chiloglanis
fortuitus is further distinguished from C.
orthodontus in having a longer dorsal spine (12.8
versus 4.1–7.8 % SL) and shorter maxillary barbels
(7.2 versus 9.4–14.8 % SL), (Schmidt et al.,
2023). Habitat: Known from the type
locality in the Dayea River above Yekepa in Nimba
County, Liberia. Reproduction: Oviparous.
Distinct pairing during breeding and is likely to
be an interstitial gravel spawner.
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. Etymology:The specific epithet
is ‘‘fortuitus,’’ referring
to the fortuitous aspect of collecting this one specimen
at the type locality. The collector, D. Tweddle, sampled
fishes at 36 localities in the upper St. John River
drainage in Liberia and collected 69 specimens of
Chiloglanis at ten of these localities. Additionally,
the lot that contained C. fortuitus was one
of the three lots borrowed by the lead author to aid
with the description of C. tweddlei (Schmidt
et al., 2017). The discovery and formal description
of C. fortuitus is fortuitous in several
aspects(Schmidt et al., 2023).
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
Dayea River above Yekepa in Nimba County, Liberia.
Size:
3.5cm.
(1½ins)
Temp:
22-25°C (71-77°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.2.
Reference:
Schmidt, R. C., Bragança,
P. H. N., Friel, J. P., Pezold, F., Tweddle, D.,
2023. 31 July 2023 Two New Species of Suckermouth
Catfishes (Mochokidae: Chiloglanis) from Upper Guinean
Forest Streams in West Africa. Ichthyology & Herpetology
111 (3), 376-389, (31 July 2023).
Chiloglanis
fortuitus Holotype-Liberia, St.
John River drainage, Nimba County, Dayea River, above Yekepa
Chiloglanis
fortuitus Holotype,
dorsal view-Liberia, St. John River drainage, Nimba County, Dayea
River, above Yekepa
Chiloglanis
fortuitus Holotype,
ventral view-Liberia, St. John River drainage, Nimba County, Dayea
River, above Yekepa
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