A large proportion of catfish from Africa are from the family Mochokidae and we usually first turn our thoughts to the genus Synodontis. This is understandable as there are over 100 species described and often our first experience of keeping African catfish is with the ever popular Synodontis Nigriventris. This marvellous small upside down swimming catfish with its mottled colour and peaceful character is readily available and is a favourite with hobbyists looking for their first catfish.
Even those hobbyists with experience of catfish from the family Mochokidae could easily overlook catfish of the genus Chiloglanis if they saw it in a dealer's tank. Chiloglanis have a highly developed, almost sucker like mouth, adapted to suit its requirements of clinging to boulders in fast river habitats. This combined with its broad fiat body can easily lead to* comparisons with the Loricariidae family.
Although Chiloglanis was first described by Peter in 1868 we as aquarists still know very little about them. Imports of Chiloglanis are relatively rare, their secretive life living under and amongst the boulders of fast moving streams makes them difficult to see let alone catch. Their natural habitat means that shipment in over packed bags with little fresh oxygen and poor water quality leads to great stress and therefore a high fatality rate.
Chiloglanis disneyi. Ventral view of the head showing sensory tubercles and teeth.
Chiloglanis micropogon. Ventral view of the disc showing sensory tubercles and teeth.
Illustrations A and B
Ethelwynn Trewavas has studied specimens of C. disneyi at the British Museum of Natural History which were caught in South Cameroon. Illustration (A) shows dissected structures of C. disneyi and illustration (B) shows dissected structures of C. micropogon. The teeth have been omitted from the supporting structures of the disc ( mouth sucking area ) which is not obvious in the dissection. Sections show them to be composed of fibrocartilage. This extends from above the anterior limb of the premaxilla on each side and near to the anterior rim of the mouth, where it is a continuous counter part to the mouth as a whole. All this is covered by a median pad of less collagenous tissue. Within part of the mouth is a structure called the "Umbrella Ribs" these incorporate the mandibular barbels.
In Trewavas's work on Fishes from West Cameroon, she describes two Mungo species C.micropogon ( Poll 1952 ) and C.disneyi which are described as new. David Sand's work, Catfish of the World Volume 2 "Mochokidae" does not list either species. Ethelwynn Trewavas records that the new Mungo Chiloglanis was named disneyi after the collector. Both species have the mandibular barbels almost entirely incorporated in the mouth, a row of minute ciliiform teeth in the membrane behind the pre maxillary symphysis and very small mandibular teeth in comparison with several other species. The two species are distinguished from each other by the size of the eyes in the adults and the distance of the eye from the posterior nostril. Other notable distinguishing features are the shape of the caudal fin, more deeply forked in C.micropogon and also in dentition. The background colour of C.micropogon is yellow. The top of the, head is irregularly clouded with dark grey. Behind this area are three black bands (Dorsal area ) which vary in width, these extend into the sides. A dark vertical streak is present at the base of the caudal. Also a broad black band crosses each caudal lobe. Pelvic and anal fins are also lightly marked. The background colour is not recorded for C.disneyi except to mention markings on the body running together irregularly, giving a generally dark colour above the flanks.
The speciemens also had a dark band at the base of the caudal fin and another crossing all the rays. Trewavas also states that C.disneyi shows resemblances to four other species of Chiloglanis. These are C.congicus ( Boulenger ) 1920 caught at Stanley Fails; C.mariieri ( Poll ) 1952 found in a remote tributary of the Congo, west of Lake Kivv; C.poltodon ( Norman ) 1932 found in the headwaters of the river Bagbue in the former Sierra Leone and C.lamottei ( Daget ) 1948 found in Mont Nimba. All four species have a high number of mandibular teeth, posteriorly placed pelvis and small eyes well separated from each other. Members of the genus are characterised by their flat body and well developed sucker mouth , this being well suited to their enviroment of fast flowing rivers. The flow of water in their habitat is only broken by boulders and this increases the level of oxygen in the water.
Aquarists should handle these fish carefully because the dorsal and pectoral spines are needle sharp and can cause painfull wounds. The muscus covering the spines contains an irritant as well as a chemical which retards the coagulation of blood.
In their natural habitat Chiioglanis will feed on such items as midge, black fly larvae and mayfly nymphs. In the aquarium they will eat algae,blood worm, and various types of flake food. Water conditions need to be neutral to alkaline, very well aerated and the temperature in the low 70 degrees F. The water temperature should not exceed 80 degrees F. Power filtration is essential to create a flow of water and the substrate should be covered with round, smooth, hard stones.
Named species from Fishes of West Cameroon (1974)
CHILOGLANIS Batesii Brevibarbis Congicus Disneyi Lamottei Marlieri Micropogon Niloticus Waterloti Polyodon
Named species from Catfish of the World (1983)
CHILOGLANIS Anoterus Batesii Brevibarbis Cameronensis Deckenii Lukugae Modjensis Niloticus Paratus Pojeri Pretoriae Swierstrai
References: 1) Freshwater Fishes of West Cameroon. British Museum ( Natural History 1974 2) Catfishes of the World. Volume two. David Sands 1984
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