SCOTCAT.COM  

Katemo Manda et al., 2023 (1)

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 33 - 36. Diagnosis: Chiloglanis msirii can be distinguished from its congeners in the Congo basin by the following unique combination of characters: an oral disc without a mid-ventral cleft, vs. an oral disc with a well-developed mid-ventral cleft in C. asymetricaudalis, C. angolensis, C. carnosus, C. congicus, C. igamba, C. kalambo, C. kazumbei, C. lufirae, C. lukugae, C. macropterus, C. marlieri, C. micropogon, C. microps, C. orthodontus, C. pojeri, C. productus, C. reticulatus, C. ruziziensis, and shallow mid-ventral cleft in C. elisabethianus. Outside the Congo basin, C. msirii can be distinguished from all its congeners from southern Africa, except for C. swierstrai, by the following unique combination of characters: an oral disc without a mid-ventral cleft, vs. an oral disc with a well-developed mid-ventral cleft in C. anoterus, C. bifurcus, C. fasciatus, C. neumanni and C. paratus; and a forked caudal fin without apparent sexual dimorphism, vs. emarginate in both sexes in C. emarginatus and C. pretoriae . Finally, C. msirii can be distinguished from the most similar species, C. swierstrai, by a relatively robust body with few total number of vertebrae, 33-36, vs. a more slender body with a higher number of total vertebrae, 37-40; its relatively large body width at the pectoral-fin insertion, 22.0-27.2% of standard length vs. more slender, 17.3-20.3% of standard length; its deep caudal peduncle, 10.2-12.9% of standard length, vs. shallower, 8.3-9.8% of standard length; its long predorsal length, 34.4-41.8% of standard length, vs. shorter, 30.6-34.7% of standard length; and its long prepelvic length, 51.8-59.8% of standard length, vs. shorter, 46.1-51.9% of standard length. 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: Mouth and dentition suggest that it is a bottom feeder and algal grazer. In the aquarium feed algae, fly larvae foods, bloodworm, and flake food. Etymology: The specific name is dedicated to King Mwenda Msiri Ngelengwa (1830-1891); he founded and ruled the Yeke Kingdom of south-east Katanga, now DRC, from about 1856 to 1891 and was murdered for resisting Belgian colonial rule in his area; it is dedicated to the King Msiri in acknowledgement and in honour of his service and defence of the integrity of his people.

None

None

Mochokidae

Africa: Fungwe and Mwanza rivers, small right bank affluents of the Upper Lualaba River in the Upemba National Park, and Lukuga River, a left bank outlet of Lake Tanganyika, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

6.0cm. (2½ins)

24-27°C (75-81°F)

7.0-8.2.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 09/2023 ).
Kashindye, B.B., B. Katemo Manda, J.P. Friel, A. Chakona and E. Vreven, 2021. Chiloglanis msirii, a new species of African suckermouth catfish (Teleostei: Mochokidae), from the Upper Congo basin. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 31(1):33-46.
Katemo Manda, B.; Snoeks, J.; Chocha Manda, A.; Abwe, E.; Mukweze Mulelenu, C.; Ilunga Kayaba, M.K.; Kiwele Mutambala, P.; Ngoy Kalumba, L.; Vreven, E.J.W.M.N. The Upemba National Park (Upper Congo Basin, DR Congo): An Updated Checklist Confirming Its Status as an African Fish Biodiversity Hotspot. Diversity 2023, 15, 966.