All FishesAuchenoglanididaeParauchenoglanis  |  | 

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Scientific Name Parauchenoglanis balayi  (Sauvage, 1879)
Common Name African Tiger Catfish
Type Locality Ogôoué River at Lopé [? Lopé River], French Congo
Synonym(s) Auchenoglanis balayi, Auchenoglanis pulcher, Pimelodus balayi
Etymology Parauchenoglanis: The Greek prefix para means near; in reference to the resemblance to Auchenoglanis. 
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 390mm or 15.4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification In all Parauchenoglanis the small eyes are not covered by a transparent skin (having a free border). The first dorsal spine is small, the second large and strong followed by seven branched fin rays (rarely eight). Pectoral fin with one spine and 7-8 branched rays, pelvic fin with six rays (of which five are branched), anal fin with 6-10 branched rays. Edge of caudal is straight or rounded.

For P. balayi overall colouration brown or greyish, the head is often somewhat darker. Flanks with large spots (usually as large as, or larger than, the eyes), which may merge together.The number, position and intensity of these spots are highly variable and often vertical or horizontal series are present. Markings are more intense anteriorly where the spots often merge into a single large irregular blotch.The head and fins may or may not be spotted. Belly is creamy white.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Africa: river systems in Cameroon and Gabon, and Congo River system.
African Waters, Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Gabon Waters, Egombe (click on these areas to find other species found there)
African Waters, Gabon Waters, Ogowe (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
Temperature 22.0-28.0°C or 71.6-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding In nature, preys on insect larvae, crustaceans, and small fishes - not a fussy eater in the aquarium and will eat most foods. User data.
Breeding Unreported in the aquarium.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Bulletin de la Société philomathique de Paris (7th Série) v. 3, pp 98 [9].
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 23 13:03 (species record created: 2001 May 04 00:00)