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Dr.Tom Geerinckx (1)

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. First transferred into Parauchenoglanis by Skelton in 1993. Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2. Diagnosis: caudal peduncle relatively long, with minimal depth as large as horizontal distance between adipose and caudal fin bases, or in a few cases almost twice as large as the horizontal distance between the adipose and caudal fin base (never twice as large); pectoral spine almost completely smooth on its anterior margin; preorbital head length less than maximum head depth; Colouration: Pattern on flanks faint and not clearly demarcated, often with 1 horizontal row of round spots on flanks; adipose fin mostly very well-developed (height 5-8% SL), dorsal fin high (19-30% SL), head deep (head depth 79-97% head width). Habitat: This species is present in parts of Cameroon, Gabon and Congo Brazzaville and has been found in the basins of the Congo (Dja tributary), Nyong, Ogowe and Chiloango Rivers. 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. At present (2022) there is no known record of any importations. Diet: In its natural habitat its diet consists of small fishes and invertebrates like snails, shrimps and insects.

Highfin Spotted Catfish

Auchenoglanis altipinnis

Claroteidae

Africa: Congo, Nyong, Ogowe and Chiloango River basins. Type locality: Ja River at Esamesa, Cameroon.

25.5cm. (10¼ins)

22-26°C (71-79°F)

6.2-7.5.

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
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.
Geerinckx, T., L. Risch, E.J. Vreven, D. Adriaens and G.G. Teugels, 2007. Claroteidae. p. 587-629. In M.L.J. Stiassny, G.G. Teugels and C.D. Hopkins (eds.) The fresh and brackish water fishes of Lower Guinea, West-Central Africa. Volume I. Collection Faune et Flore tropicales 42. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, and Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium. 800 pp.