Western shellear
📖 Overview
Western shellear (Kneria polli) is a ray-finned fish of the family Kneriidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7 cm. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Diagnosis: body depth 5.5-6.6 times in standard length (SL); head length 4.75-5.25 times in SL . Head width a little less than head depth at occipital region, 1.75-2 times in head length (HL) . Snout 3-3.4 times in HL; eye diameter 3.4-4.17 times in HL; interorbital width 2.75-3.4 times in HL; eyes lateral . Mature males with cupped outgrowth on operculum and a series of oblique laminae behind gill-opening , and without spines on head . Dorsal fin origin equidistant from tip of snout and base of caudal or nearer mid-base of caudal than tip of snout , above or immediately behind base of pelvic . Anal fin base equidistant from origin of pelvic and root of caudal , or a little nearer caudal . Pectoral fin length 5/6 of head length or nearly as long as head . Pelvic fin as long as or a little shorter than pectoral . Caudal peduncle 1.9-2.1 times as long as deep . Body yellowish, with a series of dark spots, united by a narrower band, along lateral line or its posterior 2/3; a series of 3-5 round dark spots on either side of middorsal line in front of dorsal fin; sometimes a spot at origin of dorsal; fainter dark markings along back and side; upper part of head dark, lower parts of head and trunk pale; caudal fin spotted or clear, other fins clear . Dark spots at bases of pectoral, ventral and anal fins , but no dark spot at base of pelvic fins of type specimens .: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Western shellear is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 10°S - 17°S
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Northern Kneria · Western Shellear |
| 🌍AFR | Noordelike Skulpoortjie |
| 🌍CES | knérie Pollova |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Северная кнерия |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
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