Phractura brevicauda Boulenger 1911

Diagnosis: caudal peduncle relatively short, 3-4.2 times in SL and slender, length 8-16 times depth (Ref. 81646).Description: body slender, depressed, tapered to caudal base; dorsal surface of head and forebody covered with short vermiculate unculi in both sexes; series of thin bony ridges along body, mid-dorsal from behind dorsal fin to caudal peduncle, mid-ventral from behind anal fin, dorso-lateral from posterior base of dorsal fin to caudal base, and ventro-lateral from alongside anal fin to base of caudal fin; intricate pattern of well-developed vermiculated unculi over dorsal surfaces of head and body of both sexes; caudal peduncle 2.6-4.2 times in SL, depressed, tapered to narrow bony neck before caudal base; head length 4.6-6.3 times in SL, obtusely pointed, depressed, flat below, dorsum bony; supraoccipital process short and wide; humeral process short, pointed; snout long, 50-63% HL, with bony median ridge; mouth subterminal, small, oval-shaped; upper lip fleshy and papillose, lower lips separated by triangular median pad; barbels short, tapered, papillose, maxillary pair longest, 36-72% HL; eyes small with bony orbits, interorbital width twice orbit diameter; branchiostegal membrane undivided, emarginated edge; origin of dorsal fin less than one head length behind head; dorsal fin base before origin of pelvics; dorsal fin pointed, with leading ray slender and stiff, trailing edge straight; pectorals expanded and pointed, leading ray curved, pectinate and padded, not reaching base of pelvics; pelvics pointed, leading ray curved, pectinate, reaching to base of anal fin; anal fin slender, trailing edge straight, not reaching caudal base; caudal fin small, forked with equal-sized pointed lobes; adipose fin short, rounded, positioned above posterior half of anal fin base; ano-genital pores closer to pelvic base than anal fin; males with conical papilla; twin bi-lateral series of visible pores along the body (Ref. 81646).Coloration: variable, usually five broad dark greyish brown bands over dorsal surface separated by lighter saddle patches, ventral surface anterior to pelvic fins light creamy brown; supraoccipital process shaded lighter, usually conspicuous; pores on body often highlighted by dark grey surrounds; fins with brown rays and black mid-distal band (Ref. 81646).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0

fisheries:

Phractura brevicauda is a species of catfish in the genus Phractura. The fish can be found in coastal rivers north of Ogowe River to Loeme River, as well as in the Lobi River and Kribi River, and the Lower Congo River.