Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.8 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 25. Tropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 13614); 35°N - 5°N
Africa: Nile and Chad basins (Ref. 3202, 57223). Report from the upper Benue (Niger basin) (Ref. 57223) needs confirmation.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.1 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57223)
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: body short and robust, its depth 4.2-5.2 times in standard length; head as long as broad, dorsal surface rough; maxillary barbels non-membranous and unbranched, up to 2 times longer than head; mandibular barbels with short, simple ramifications; humeral process long and pointed; 1st dorsal-fin spine smooth on anterior and posterior margins; 2nd dorsal fin with 10-14 rays; pectoral-fin spines more strongly denticulate on inner than on outer margin; caudal fin deeply forked, with upper lobe slightly longer than lower (Ref. 57223).
Coloration: general colour pattern similar to that of M. niloticus, but there seem to be fewer dots on dorsal fins (Ref. 57223).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003. Mochokidae. p. 195-268 In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douce et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Tome 2. Coll. Faune et Flore tropicales 40. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Museum National d'Histoire Naturalle, Paris, France and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France. 815 p. (Ref. 57223)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01000 (0.00376 - 0.02663), b=3.07 (2.84 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.0 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).