Blotched Catfish

Diagnosis: head short (Ref. 248), its length 18.3-20.6% SL (Ref. 81644), small and rather rounded in dorsal outline (Ref. 248). Eyes dorsally located; frontal fontanelle extremely short and oval-shaped; occipital fontanelle oval-shaped; "dermosphenotic" and supraorbital bones joined and well developed (Ref. 248). Tooth plates relatively broad (Ref. 248), width of premaxillary band 26.2-29.7% HL, width of vomerine band 24.5-26.5% HL (Ref. 81644). Pectoral spine slightly curved (Ref. 248), strongly serrated on posterior face, weakly serrated on its anterior face (Ref. 81644). Gill rakers long, slender and distantly set; suprabranchial organ well developed (Ref. 248). Oenings of secondary sensory canals regularly placed along flanks (Ref. 248, 81644).Description: dorsal fin (base length 69.4-73.2% SL) and anal fin (base length 53.8-56.8% SL) relatively long (Ref. 81644).Coloration: preserved specimens: uniform colouration; back, flanks and upper parts of paired fins pale brown, ventrum and lower parts of paired fins creamy white; caudal fin with a pale distal band; dorsal and anal fins with a pale submarginal band (Ref. 81644).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 82 - 85; Analsoft rays: 67 - 74; Vertebrae: 66 - 69

Frequency of occurence in Caprivi: occasionally in standing deep water, occasionally in shallow swamps (Ref. 037065).

The biology of this species is in the main unknown (Ref. 78218). Maximum size reported is 159mm TL (Ref. 81644).

fisheries: