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Hippocampus Bildarchiv (1) Andrew Rushworth (1) Rob Palmer (1)

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels longer than head, unbranched, without tubercles, but bordered by a narrow and very short basal membrane; outer mandibular barbels with long, simple and thin ramifications (6 in the lectotype); branches of inner mandibular barbels shorter, thicker, subdivided and tuberculate; mandibular teeth short and narrow, numbering 20-39 (39 in the lectotype); denticulations of pectoral-fin spines very weak on outer margins, much stronger on inner margin; dorsal-fin spine smooth anteriorly, except for a few apical denticles; humeral process narrow, triangular, pointed, at least twice as deep as long and not keeled ventrally; adipose fin not very high nor very long, and distinctly separated from rayed dorsal fin; body covered with irregular, more or less coalesced spots; belly dark. Habitat: This species is restricted to the Upper Bafing river at Ballay, a tributary of the Senegal River in the Fouta Djallon, Guinea. Colouration: rather dark, with a network of more or less distinct light wavy bands; fins, in particular the caudal, with well visible spots aligned in bands. Aquarium Care: As for most of this genera which are problem free. A small and inoffensive species and would do well in a mid-sized community tank. Remarks: It is threatened by a decline in habitat quality due to gold and platinum mining and potentially from deforestation. There is one location based on this threat. This species is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered (IUCN 2020).

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Mochokidae

Africa: Bafing River, (Senegal basin), Guinea. Type locality: Bafing à Ballay, Guinée.

10.0cm. (4ins)

23-26°C (73-79°F)

6.5-7.2.

Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W.N. and Van der Laan, R. (eds). 2020. Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes: genera, species, references.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2019. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2019 ).
Olaosebikan, B.D. 2020. Synodontis tourei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.
Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003. Mochokidae. p. 195-268 In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douce et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Tome 2. Coll. Faune et Flore tropicales 40. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Museum National d'Histoire Naturalle, Paris, France and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France. 815 p.