Spotted sand catlet (Zaireichthys rotundiceps) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted sand catlet - Zaireichthys rotundiceps

Spotted sand catlet (Zaireichthys rotundiceps) fish species information

Scientific Name
Zaireichthys rotundiceps

Common Name
Spotted sand catlet

Biology
Vertebrae: 35 - 38. Body relatively stout (Ref. 51287). Head broad, snout rounded or blunt (Ref. 51287). Dorsal fin spine stout, with a well-developed locking mechanism (Ref. 51287). Pectoral fin spine stout with strong serrae, 7 or more in large specimens (Ref. 51287). Caudal fin shape variable, from slightly forked through, emarginate, truncate, or even slightly rounded, but not deeply forked; number of prncipal caudal fin rays: 7/8 (Ref. 51287). Adipose fin elongate, its margin rounded (Ref. 51287). Humeral process of shoulder girdle is well developed, elongate, with its ventral margin and sometimes entire surface covered with fine denticulations (Ref. 51287). Coloration highly variable, from abundant dark spots in several rows to light pale spotting pattern (Ref. 51287). There is no humeral collar or band of dark pigmentation just behind the head (Ref. 51287). Marks often present on head and fins as well as body (Ref. 51287).

Classification

Classified By
Hilgendorf, 1905
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family
Loach catfishes (Amphiliidae)

Distribution

Region
Africa
Distribution
Africa: rivers in Kenya, Tanzania, middle Zambesi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and northern Mozambique (Ref. 3236). Also in the Cunene, Okavango, Pungwe, Buzi, Save systems as well as in the Lake Malawi catchment (Ref. 7248). Presence in the Congo basin questionable (Ref. 51287, 58032, 78218). As it currently stands, this species probably represents a complex of several different species (Ref. 7248).
Range
11°S - 22°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
22 °C
Water Temperature To
25 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; ; dH range: 20 - ? demersal
Trophic Level
3.4 s.e. 0.45 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
3.8 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (18 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)