Paramphilius firestonei Schultz, 1942

Family:  Amphiliidae (Loach catfishes), subfamily: Amphiliinae
Max. size:  5.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: rivers Du and St. Paul, near the coastline in Liberia (Ref. 57128).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 10-12. Diagnosis: body elongate, very slender and cylindrical, its depth comprised over 8 times in standard length; head short and deep, its length over 5 times in standard length; dorsal-fin origin usually above or slightly behind pelvic-fin insertions; caudal peduncle length over twice its depth; anal fin with 7 or more branched rays; caudal fin with 6 + 7 principal rays (Ref. 57128). Description: eyes small and wide-spaced, positioned far forwards; snout quadrangular; mouth broad and subterminal, lips slightly fleshy; barbels long and filamentous, reaching to pectoral-fin bases; branchiostegal membrane divided by a deep ventral notch; head fleshy, cheeks swollen, the lower-jaw muscles running before and behind eye to their insertion points on top of head; dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins short and rounded, their largest simple ray very small and flexible; anal fin rather large; adipose fin elongate, low and confluent with caudal fin; lateral line interrupted (Ref. 57128). Coloration: pale brown above, lighter on belly; small, dark brown spots irregularly scattered over back; usually a black spot on caudal-fin base and a black bar across upper half of caudal fin (Ref. 57128).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 04 October 2019 (B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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