Whiptailed Nile Catfish

Diagnosis: dorsal, pectoral and adipose fins with distinct spine anteriorly; a series of bony scutes on body posterior of the dorsal-fin origin; lateral abdominal surface not covered with superficial scutes; scapulo-coracoid and clavicle lack superficial rugose plates (Ref. 90257).Description: body very thin and tapering backwards; head short and deep; snout with a distinct, posteriorly bifurcate median bony crest giving rise to other, parallel, crests on dorsal surface of head; eyes rather large and widely separated; nostrils fairly large, the posterior pair partially obstructed by a dermal fold; mouth small and subterminal; barbels tiny and simple, the maxillary pair without a basal membrane; branchiostegal membrane curved ventrally; an occipital process with a median crest on top of head; supraoccipital process flanked by another bony process; dorsal fin separated from supraoccipital process by a narrow space that may be occupied by 1-2 bony scutes; dorsal fin positioned above pelvic fins; principal dorsal- and pectoral-fin ray tiny and bony; pectoral fins with 6 branched rays, their tips reaching to pelvic-fin bases; adipose fin short, preceded by a small spine and positioned above posterior half of anal fin; caudal peduncle long and very narrow, its length comprised 3.2-3.4 times in standard length; caudal fin triangular, its posterior margin lunate; a series of 23-25 bony scutes present on both sides of body between dorsal fin and caudal peduncle and a second series of 21-23 bony scutes between pelvic fins and caudal peduncle; 7+7 principal caudal fin rays (Ref. 57128).Coloration: back with 4-5 irregular brown spots, belly not pigmented; fins with scattered blackish-brown spots and pale stripes (Ref. 57128).

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 7; Anal spines: 0; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 34 - 36

fisheries:

Andersonia leptura is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Amphiliidae, and is the only species of the genus Andersonia. This fish grows to about 50.0 cm (19.7 in) in total length; it is found in the Omo, Niger, and Upper Nile Rivers and the Lake Chad basin, and is also known from Lake Debo. Although previously considered to be toothless on the lower jaw, dentition has been found on the premaxilla and the dentary. The teeth are embedded in the mucous sheath that covers the head and extends into the oral cavity, which makes the teeth difficult to see with the naked eye.