Chiloglanis Msirii

📖 Overview

Chiloglanis Msirii (Chiloglanis msirii) is a ray-finned fish of the family Mochokidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 5.8 cm. It occurs at depths between 0 and 1 metres. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 33 - 36. Diagnosis: Chiloglanis msirii can be distinguished from its congeners in the Congo basin by the following unique combination of characters: an oral disc without a mid-ventral cleft, vs. an oral disc with a well-developed mid-ventral cleft in C. asymetricaudalis, C. angolensis, C. carnosus, C. congicus, C. igamba, C. kalambo, C. kazumbei, C. lufirae, C. lukugae, C. macropterus, C. marlieri, C. micropogon, C. microps, C. orthodontus, C. pojeri, C. productus, C. reticulatus, C. ruziziensis, and shallow mid-ventral cleft in C. elisabethianus . Outside the Congo basin, C. msirii can be distinguished from all its congeners from southern Africa, except for C. swierstrai, by the following unique combination of characters: an oral disc without a mid-ventral cleft, vs. an oral disc with a well-developed mid-ventral cleft in C. anoterus, C. bifurcus, C. fasciatus, C. neumanni and C. paratus; and a forked caudal fin without apparent sexual dimorphism, vs. emarginate in both sexes in C. emarginatus and C. pretoriae . Finally, C. msirii can be distinguished from the most similar species, C. swierstrai, by a relatively robust body with few total number of vertebrae, 33-36, vs. a more slender body with a higher number of total vertebrae, 37-40; its relatively large body width at the pectoral-fin insertion, 22.0-27.2% of standard length vs. more slender, 17.3-20.3% of standard length; its deep caudal peduncle, 10.2-12.9% of standard length, vs. shallower, 8.3-9.8% of standard length; its long predorsal length, 34.4-41.8% of standard length, vs. shorter, 30.6-34.7% of standard length; and its long prepelvic length, 51.8-59.8% of standard length, vs. shorter, 46.1-51.9% of standard length .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chiloglanis Msirii is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.3 - 8.2; depth range 0 - 1 m . Tropical; 24°C - 27°C

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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