Parauchenoglanis pantherinus (Pellegrin, 1929)
Parauchenoglanis pantherinus
photo by Geerinckx, T.

Family:  Claroteidae (Claroteid catfishes), subfamily: Auchenoglanidinae
Max. size:  29.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: River Ntem in Cameroon (Ref. 50834, 51193, 78218, 81642), Rio Bono (Rio Bonito drainage) in Equatorial Guinea (Ref. 78218) and the Kouilou-Niari in Republic of Congo (Ref. 92841). Reports from the Dja River (middle Congo River basin)(Ref. 51193) unconfirmed.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2. Diagnosis: caudal peduncle relatively long, its depth slightly larger than the horizontal distance between the adipose and caudal fin bases (never twice as large); anterior edge of pectoral spine smooth, except for a few serrations distally; preorbital head length greater than maximum head depth (measured to end of supraoccipital process), lending the snout an elongate appearance; interorbital distance 22-25% HL; orbital diameter maximally 2 times in interorbital distance; numerous small spots on body and fins; spots on head usually smaller than those on flanks (Ref. 81642). Description: body relatively low and gracile; maxillary barbel does not reach pectoral spine base, external mandibular barbel does not reach beyond mid-length of spine; pectoral fin with 8 (rarely 7) branched rays (Ref. 81642). Coloration: preserved specimens: variably brownish grey to brownish violet; head and flanks strewn with numerous dark spots, those on head usually smaller; fins all spotted, although mottling on anal and pelvic fin may be faint; ventrum immaculate (Ref. 81642).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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