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💧 Freshwater Endangered 🌡️ Tropical

African whiptailed catfish

Phractura ansorgii Boulenger, 1902
Max Length
9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

African whiptailed catfish (Phractura ansorgii) is a ray-finned fish of the family Amphiliidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 9 cm. With a trophic level of 3.1, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Phractura ansorgii
Authority
Boulenger, 1902
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
9 cm
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Water Temp
20–24 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Siluriformes
Siluriformes
Family
Amphiliidae
Amphiliidae
Genus
Phractura
Phractura
Species
African whiptailed catfish
Phractura ansorgii

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: pectoral-fin tips reaching to pelvic-fin bases; pelvic-fin insertions located on a vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray: snout length less than 55% of head length; posterior nostrils large, separated from orbits by a bony crest; humeral process blunt; branchiostegal membrane broadly notched ventrally; width of occipital process comprised 3.2 times in its length . : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for African whiptailed catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for African whiptailed catfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for African whiptailed catfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.3 - 7.2; dH range: 10 - 18. Tropical; 20°C - 24°C ; 8°N - 4°N

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.1±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
9cm
Dorsal Spines
1
Dorsal Rays
6
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
20–24°C
pH Range
6.3–7.2
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Boulenger, 1902

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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