Microctenopoma congicum (Boulenger, 1887)
Congo ctenopoma
photo by Vierke, J.

Family:  Anabantidae (Climbing gouramies)
Max. size:  6.19 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.47 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.80000019073486 - 7.80000019073486; dH range: 25,
Distribution:  Africa: lower and central Congo River basin in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 1880, 4910, 41591, 45441, 106290), Republic of the Congo (Ref. 45477, 83895) and Central African Republic (Ref. 45441, 52070). Also in the Chiloango River in Cabinda (Angola) (Ref. 1880, 81650, 120641). Known from a single specimen from the Ogowe in Gabon (Ref. 1880, 81650). Also reported from the Lake Chad basin, but this has not been confirmed by verifiable specimens (Ref. 57414, 81650). Reports from the Aruwimi (middle Congo River basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo)(Ref. 41590, 82705) based on misidentified specimens of M. uelense (Ref. 26634).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 9-11; Anal soft rays: 9-12; Vertebrae: 26-27. Diagnosis: 9-11 anal fin spines and 9-12 soft rays (Ref. 57414, 81650), 15-17 dorsal fin spines (Ref. 81650). Flanks and unpaired fins mottled or bearing 6-8 dark vertical, narrowly separated bars; eye diameter 3-3.5 times into head length (Ref. 57414). Interorbital space wide, 2.9-3.4 times in head length; in adults, subopercle usually serrated and caudal fin squared; caudal peduncle developed; breeding males never marked with orange (Ref. 81650). Description: body fusiform/oval or elongate; head and snout rounded; 5-19 scales in upper lateral line; 3-11 scales in lower lateral line; 2-4 scales above upper lateral line; 7-9 scales below upper lateral line (Ref. 57414, 81650). Operculum lightly serrated; suboperculum sometimes serrated (Ref. 57141). Interoperculum and preoperculum rarely serrated (Ref. 57414, 81650). 3-9 serrations above opercular notch, none within notch, 1-2 serrations below; 0-12 subopercular serrations (Ref. 81650). Coloration: flanks and unpaired fins darkly mottled; flanks in adults sometimes divided by narrow pale bars; pelvic fins bear a single medial stripe, and 2 streaks frequently radiated caudally off each eye (Ref. 57414, 81650).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 August 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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