Description:
Chiloglanis frodobagginsi is distinguished
from all known species of Chiloglanis in the Upper
Guinean Forests, and most of the other described species
(except C. disneyi, C. harbinger,
C.marlieri, C. micropogon,
C. microps, C. mongoensis, and C.
niger) by the very reduced, or absent, mandibular
barbels on the oral disc. Chiloglanis frodobagginsi
can be distinguished from C. disneyi, C.
harbinger, C. marlieri, C. microps,
C. mongoensis, and C. niger in having
fewer mandibular teeth in one row (10–12 versus
16–20, 26–30, 26–28, 16–18,
28, and 16–20 respectively), (Schmidt et al.,
2023). Habitat: Occurs in the upper
Niger River drainage in Guinea and further downstream
in the Niger River near Bamako. 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:Chiloglanis frodobagginsi is named
after another diminutive traveler, Frodo Baggins,
a fictional character well known from J. R. R. Tolkien’s
The Lord of the Rings series. Roughly 3,000 miles
(4,800 km) separate C. frodobagginsi in the
upper Niger River drainage and C. micropogon,
the sister species, found in the Congo River basin.
Another seemingly closely related species, Chiloglanis
cf. micropogon, is found in the southern Benue
drainage and in several small coastal rivers about
3,000 km from the upper Niger River drainage (e.g.,
Cross and Ndian Rivers). It is unclear whether these
species are descended from a more widespread species,
or the result of dispersal from the Congo River basin
into the Niger River drainage, via the Benue River,
and then up to the headwaters of the Niger River.
This was an incredible journey for such a small and
seemingly non-vagile fish (Schmidt et al., 2023).
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
Upper Niger River drainage in Guinea and further downstream
in the Niger River near Bamako.
Size:
2.5cm. (1ins)
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
frodobagginsi Holotype-Guinea, Niger
River drainage, Niger River, North of Faranah, on road N29
Chiloglanis
frodobagginsi Holotype,
dorsal view-Guinea, Niger River drainage, Niger River, North of
Faranah, on road N29
Chiloglanis
frodobagginsi Holotype,
ventral view-Guinea, Niger River drainage, Niger River, North
of Faranah, on road N29
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