Cat-eLog Right Arrow Mochokidae Right Arrow Chiloglanidinae Right Arrow Chiloglanis

  • Chiloglanis batesii
  • Chiloglanis batesii
  • Chiloglanis batesii
  • Chiloglanis batesii
Jump to next section Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Chiloglanis batesii  Boulenger, 1904
Common Name Rapids Catfish
Type Locality Efulen and tributary of Lobi River, 15-20 miles southwest of Efulen, southern Cameroon.
Synonym(s) Chiloglanis micropogon
Pronunciation Kee low glan iss - baits eye
Etymology Chiloglanis: From the Greek cheilos, meaning lip, and glanis, meaning catfish; in reference to the oral morphology. Named after the collector, G. L. Bates.
Jump to next section Species Information
Size 40mm or 1.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Second largest catfish genus next to Synodontis in Africa. 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 fairly small at 100 mm SL or less. Often caudal shape can show sexual dimorphism and is usually species specific.

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. Sucker relatively large, mandibular teeth 6+6 or less. Sexual dimorphism present: males with strongly forked caudal fins with extremely elongate upper lobe and enlarged anal fins.
Sexing Males are easily distinguished from females by the elongate upper lobe of the caudal fin.
Jump to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Found throughout the Niger and Congo basins, in the headwaters of the Chad basin and almost every river basin in Cameroon except the Ndian, Nyong and Ogooué.
African Waters, Nigeria Waters, Niger (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Chad (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Status Least Concern
pH 6.4 - 7.2
Temperature 20.0-26.0°C or 68-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters A good current is strongly recommended.
Jump to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Will eat a wide variety of prepared and frozen foods. Supplement with algae wafers.
Compatibility Peaceful both with conspecifics and other fish, and therefore, suitable for the community tank.
Breeding Not known in aquarium, although other species have been successfully bred in natural enclosures.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Jump to next section Further Information
Reference Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 7) v. 14 (no. 79) (art. 3), pp 19.
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Last Update 2019 Sep 18 11:53 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)