Scientific Name
Zaireichthys rotundiceps

Common Name
Spotted sand catlet

Biology
Vertebrae: 35 - 38. Body relatively stout (Ref. 51287). Head broad, snout rounded or blunt (Ref. 51287). Dorsal fin spine stout, with a well-developed locking mechanism (Ref. 51287). Pectoral fin spine stout with strong serrae, 7 or more in large specimens (Ref. 51287). Caudal fin shape variable, from slightly forked through, emarginate, truncate, or even slightly rounded, but not deeply forked; number of prncipal caudal fin rays: 7/8 (Ref. 51287). Adipose fin elongate, its margin rounded (Ref. 51287). Humeral process of shoulder girdle is well developed, elongate, with its ventral margin and sometimes entire surface covered with fine denticulations (Ref. 51287). Coloration highly variable, from abundant dark spots in several rows to light pale spotting pattern (Ref. 51287). There is no humeral collar or band of dark pigmentation just behind the head (Ref. 51287). Marks often present on head and fins as well as body (Ref. 51287).

Classification

Classified By

Hilgendorf, 1905

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Loach catfishes (Amphiliidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: rivers in Kenya, Tanzania, middle Zambesi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and northern Mozambique (Ref. 3236). Also in the Cunene, Okavango, Pungwe, Buzi, Save systems as well as in the Lake Malawi catchment (Ref. 7248). Presence in the Congo basin questionable (Ref. 51287, 58032, 78218). As it currently stands, this species probably represents a complex of several different species (Ref. 7248).

Range

11°S - 22°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; dH range: 20 - ? demersal

Trophic Level

3.4 s.e. 0.45 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

3.8 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (18 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)