Channallabes sanghaensis Devaere, Adriaens & Verraes, 2007
photo by Adriaens, D.

Family:  Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Max. size:  22.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Mbessy River (Likouala drainage, middle Congo River basin) in Republic of the Congo (Ref. 58526).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 121-125; Anal soft rays: 104-124; Vertebrae: 86-89. Channallabes sanghaensis differs from other species of Channallabes in having a small supraorbital process on infraorbital IV, not reaching the rostral border of the eye and the presence of an interdigitation zone between the quadrate and the entopterygoid (Ref. 58526). It has an elongated body, with a preanal length of 27.5% up to 33.2% of SL (Ref. 58526). Although the eyes are small, they remain clearly visible; tube-like anterior nostrils are present, although small (Ref. 58526). The fleshy dorsal, anal and caudal fins form a continuous finfold (Ref. 58526). The pectoral spine is serrated on both sides (Ref. 58526). Alcohol preserved specimens gradually fade from dark brown on the dorsal side to whitish brown on the ventral side; both sides are separated by a white line, representing the lateral line (Ref. 58526).
Biology:  All sampling sites were characterised by shallow, muddy, still water (Ref. 58526).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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