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Scientific Name Dinotopterus cunningtoni  Boulenger, 1906
Common Name
Type Locality Mpala, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Tanganyika.
Pronunciation kahn ning tone ee
Etymology Dinotopterus: From the Greek, di-, meaning two, noton, meaning back and pteron, meaning fin; in reference to the presence of the two dorsal fins (rayed and adipose). Named after WA Cunnington, who collected the fish.
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Size 1750mm or 68.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Easily distinguished from congeners by the presence of a distinct adipose fin.
Sexing In ventral view especially, females are much broader in the body than males of equal age and rearing practices.
General Remarks Occurs more commonly in rocky areas within Lake Tanganyika.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Africa: Lake Tanganyika.
African Waters, Western Rift Valley Lakes, Tanganyika (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Near Threatened, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2006.
pH 6.8 - 8.6
Temperature 20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show species within this range)
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Feeding Omnivorous and predatory. Will eat virtually anything that can be considered edible. User data.
Furniture Open spaces for swimming and some cover in the form of rockwork with adequate crevices is required.
Compatibility House with lively, robust large fish, preferably in a Rift Lake setup.
Breeding Not reported in captivity. In the wild, Dinotopterus cunningtoni have been reported to deposit eggs in the nests of spawning giraffe catfish (Auchenoglanis occidentalis). The eggs hatched sooner than those of the hosts and the young dispersed rapidly. Although young Dinotopterus preyed on host young in the aquarium, it is not known if the relationship between the two catfish is wholly parasitic.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Transactions of the Zoological Society of London v. 17 (pt 6, no. 1), pp 550, Pl. 31.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 20 02:04 (species record created: 2006 Aug 10 03:22)