Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Mochokidae (Squeakers or upside-down catfishes) > Mochokinae
Etymology: Microsynodontis: Greek, mikros = small + Greek, synodon = with the teeth growing all together (Ref. 45335); laevigata: Species name from the Latin laevigatus, meaning smooth; in reference to the smooth anterior edge of the pectoral spine (Ref. 52369).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: endemic to the Ivindo River (Ogoowe basin) in northern Gabon (Ref. 52369, 81251).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81251)
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 6; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11; Vertebrae: 33 - 35. Diagnosis: caudal fin truncate; anterior edge of pectoral spine smooth (Ref. 52369, 81251). Body moderately slender; adipose fin moderately long, its base 33.3-35.5% SL; caudal peduncle depth 9.3-11.4% SL; snout length 39-45.7% SL; eye moderate, its diameter 15.6-21.8% SL; both sexes with short (< 0.1 mm) tubercles on dorsal and lateral surfaces of head; supracleithral process not reaching to vertical through posteriormost tip of nuchal shield; dorsal spine curved (Ref. 81251).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Found in a small, shallow blackwater creek, with extremely low water; the substrate being sand and leaf litter, with the area having undergo severe human disturbance (Ref. 52369).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Ng, H.H., 2004. The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species. Zootaxa 531:1-52. (Ref. 52369)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
