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Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (1) Serge Mevellec (1)

Description: This genera, which includes another 8 species are quite difficult to identify, and on top of this juveniles can have different markings and colouration to the adult versions. P. balayi is quit a slim species and its caudal peduncle is also more slender than conspecifics. Dorsal spines (total): 2. Diagnosis: caudal peduncle relatively long, its depth a little larger than horizontal distance between the base of adipose and caudal fins (but almost never twice as great); pectoral spine smooth on its anterior margin, except for a few serrations near the tip; preorbital head length less than maximum head depth; colour pattern on flank strongly marked in most cases; adipose fin height 3-7% SL, dorsal fin height 15-25% (28%) SL), head depth 56-88% head width; barbels relatively short, e.g. external mandibular barbel usually shorter than 1.3 times HL, never reaching beyond tip of pectoral spine. Colouration: This species is variable in colouration and markings. Aquarium Care: Grows quite large but not a predator as such so should be safe to house with smaller species. Best suited to the larger aquarium. Peaceful large catfish which will do well in company of larger characins from Africa and large Barbs. Diet: Will eat a variety of foods. Tablet and pellet foods with a good quality flake and frozen bloodworms. Also relishes live worms such as the common garden worm, making sure that there has been no weedkiller on the premises, and white worm. Etymology: The genus name Parauchenoglanis: para-, near, referring to similarity and/or close relationship with Auchenoglanis. The specific name balayi: in honour of French explorer and colonial administrator Noel Eugene Balay (1847-1902), who collected type.

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Auchenoglanis balayi, Pimelodus balayi, Auchenoglanis ballayi, Auchenoglanis pulcher,  Auchenoglanis balayi gravoti

Auchenoglanididae

Africa: River systems in South Cameroon, Gabon and Democratic Republic of  the Congo. Type locality: Lopé [Ogôoué River].

30.0cm. (12ins)

22-28°C (71-83°F)

6.2.-7.5.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 02/2021 ).
Geerinckx, T., D. Adriaens, G.G. Teugels and W. Verraes, 2004. A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae). J. Nat. Hist. 38:775-803.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.