Brown Madagascar catfish
📖 Overview
Ancharius fuscus is restricted to the middle to upper reaches of several river basins of the eastern coast of Madagascar and to habitats that are not highly degraded .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 44 - 46. Diagnosis: Ancharius fuscus is distinguished from other species of Anchariidae by the following unique characters: shorter snout, 40.1-45.8% of head length vs. 47.1-54.3; longer maxillary barbels, reaching to midpoint of pectoral-fin base vs. not reaching to base of pectoral spine; pectoral spine serrated along its entire posterior margin; vs. along distal half only; and purplish-gray colouration vs. highly mottled dark gray and cream, lead gray or mottled brownish-gray . It further differs from Ancharius griseus in having a shorter dorsal-fin spine, 14.6-22.6% of standard length vs. 22.9-24.3%; and larger eye, 11.4-15.4% of head length vs. 9.3-10.1% . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Brown Madagascar catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Vaona |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arius fuscus | Steindachner | 1880 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .
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