Mochokiella Paynei

📖 Overview

Mochokiella Paynei (Mochokiella paynei), first described by Howes, 1980 is a tiny fish in the family Mochokidae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 3.60 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Mochokidae kept in the hobby.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Diagnosis: outer pair of mandibular barbels with 3, inner pair with 4, long and simple ramifications . Coloration: colour pattern marbled; upper side of head dark with diffuse lighter cross-bars; black band between nostrils and eyes, another one ventrally between eyes and mouth; pale interorbital band; dark spots on cheeks and gill cover and dark brown area between dorsal-fin base and lateral line; below humeral process, this pigmentation forms a reticulate pattern; broad light bar behind adipose fin descending to posterior part of anal-fin base; caudal peduncle uniformly dark dorsally, ventrally pale behind anal fin, but becoming darker towards caudal fin; small dark spot at pelvic-fin bases; adipose fin dark, but white-edged posteriorly; all barbels striated .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Mochokiella Paynei is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

Oviparous . Distinct pairing during breeding .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 22°C - 24°C known only from the type locality in the Kasewe Forest Reserve (Jong/Pampana River basin), Sierra Leone (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Mochokiella Paynei.

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute