This small catfish, Chiloglanis neumanni — one of several species in this widespread genus, called "rock catlets" by English speakers in southern Africa — reaches a length of only about 6 cm (2.5 inches).
This small catfish, Chiloglanis neumanni
— one of several species in this widespread genus, called
"rock catlets" by English speakers in southern Africa —
reaches a length of only about 6 cm (2.5 inches).
C. neumanni is one of only two Lake Malawi catfishes that belong to the family Mochokidae, the other being its larger, better known cousin Synodontis njassae. However, unlike S. njassae, C. neumanni is not endemic to the lake. Rather, it is distributed widely, from Tanzania north of Lake Malawi through the Zambezi River system south of the lake.
In Lake Malawi proper, C. neumanni is uncommon and reclusive, found on sandy bottoms among stones (Jackson, 1961).
Illustration by Hilda M. Jubb, from Jubb (1967); used by gracious permission of Mr. A. T. Balkema of A. A. Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam.
| Last Update: 11 August 2000
Web Author: M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. Copyright © 1997-2021 by M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |