Parakneria marmorata (Norman, 1923)

Family:  Kneriidae (Shellears)
Max. size:  14.9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Kokema River (Quanza River tributary), Angola (Ref. 89134, 120641).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: body depth 8.25 times in SL; head length 5.8 times in SL; snout rounded, 1.1 times longer than postorbital distance, 2.3 times in HL; eye superolateral, 6.45 times in HL, 2.2 times in interorbital width, 2.7 times in snout length; interorbital distance 2.9 times in HL; dorsal fin origin about equidistant from end of snout and base of caudal; anal fin base 1.95 times further from pelvic fin base than from caudal fin base; pectoral fin length 6 times in SL, slightly shorter than head length; pelvic fins 6.75 times in SL, 1.15 times in HL; caudal peduncle 1.8 times longer than deep (Ref. 89136). Description: mouth inferior; lower lip absent, but cutting edge present on lower jaw; caudal fin with 19 soft rays, deeply forked, its lower lobe slightly longer than the upper (Ref. 89136). Coloration: ground color yellowish-whitish, paler below, with brownish spots and marbling on flanks, dorsal body parts and head; transversal bands on all fins, especially the caudal, which has 4 bands on the upper and 5 on the lower lobe (Ref. 89136). Remark: despite some remarkable differences with the original description by Norman 1923 (=Ref. 89231) we follow above the (more elaborate) description given by Poll 1965 (=Ref. 89136); the latter publication also includes descriptions of the other Parakneria species known up 1965.
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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