PlanetCatfish.com - Chiloglanis polypogon (Mochokidae) Cat-eLog

Dorsal view
Close-up of mouth
Close-up of head

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Chiloglanis polypogon** Roberts, 1989
Common Name	African Suckermouth Catfish
Type Locality	High gradient stream along road from Mamfe to Bamenda, 88-94 kilometers southwest of Bamenda, Cross basin, Cameroon, western Africa.
Pronunciation	Kee low glan iss - paw lee poe gone
Etymology	Chiloglanis: From the Greek cheilos, meaning lip, and glanis, meaning catfish; in reference to the oral morphology. The name polypogon (noun in apposition, from the Greek "poly," multiple, and "pogon," beard)refers to the numerous mental barbels.
Articles	- CotM 2004 April
Species Information
Size	55mm or 2.2" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The second largest catfish genus in Africa after Synodontis. They are characterized by jaws and lips modified into a sucker or oral disc used for adhering to and feeding upon objects in fast-flowing waters. Generally reasonably small at 100 mm SL or less. species with forked caudal fins can show sexual dimorphism and is usually species-specific. Other characteristics in this hard-to-ID genus are the size of the adipose fin, the position of the adipose fin relative to pelvic and ventral fins, size of barbles, eyes and dorsal fin. Only a handful of species are identified on colouration. They can be distinguished from other African suckermouth catfish (of the genera Euchilichthys and Atopochilus) by their circular suckermouth disc. This is more elliptical in the other two genera. Can be distinguished from South American suckermouth catfishes by lack of body armour plates. Can be distinguised from other African suckermouth catfish (of the genera Euchilichthys and Atopochilus) by its circular suckermouth disc. This is more eliptical in the other two genera.
Sexing	Males with an elongate genital papilla. Some other species of Chiloglanis can be easily sexed in the males having enlarged anal and caudal fins of different shapes from the females.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Cross River, Cameroon. African Waters, Cross (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Near Threatened , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH	6.4 - 7.0
Temperature	22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	A good current is strongly recommended.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Will eat a wide variety of prepared and frozen foods. Supplement with algae wafers. User data.
Furniture	Provide plenty of rocks for hiding. Tank does not need to be well-planted.
Compatibility	Peaceful both with conspecifics and other fish, and therefore, suitable for the community tank.
Suggested Tankmates	Good with many small- to mid-sized community fish. Ideal tankmates include fast-water Synodontis (such as S. brichardi and S. soloni), fast-water African characins and cyprinids like Nannocharax and Garra.
Breeding	Not known in aquarium, although other species have been successfully bred in natural enclosures.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Series 4) v. 46 (no. 6), pp 168, Figs. 1b, 2b, 3c-d, 6a-b, 8.
Registered Keepers	There are 3 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is but a single wish to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.13.145.1058
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2003 Aug 14 00:00)