Teleostei (teleosts) >
Characiformes (Characins) >
Citharinidae (Lutefishes)
Etymology: Citharidium: Latin, cithara = lire like instrument, diminutive (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Dr William John Ansorge (1850–1913) was an English explorer and collector who was active in Africa in the second half of the 19th century. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: found only in the Niger basin in Nigeria (Ref. 2938, 7095, 81281). Maps in Ref. 2938, 81281, Ref. 31256 and Ref. 51193 also mention presence in Bénué basin. Species has also been reported from Chad basin in Cameroon (Ref. 51193).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 58.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2938); max. published weight: 9.1 kg (Ref. 7095)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 19; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22. Diagnosis: snout longer than eye diameter; body depth 1.7-2.2x and head length 2.8-3.3x SL; caudal peduncle 0.8-0.9x long than deep; scale formula 12.5/46-51/14.5-16.5; 12.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; characterized by ctenoid scales; scales without denticulations on posterior margin, but with parallel ridges prolonged as spines beyond posterior margin; short pectorals, half of head length; pelvic fins longer than pectorals, provided with scaly process at their bases; 17-19 dorsal fin branched rays; 19-22 anal fin branched rays (Ref. 2938, 81281).
Maximum TL was recorded at 69.7 cm (Ref. 7095).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gosse, J.-P., 1990. Citharinidae. p. 261-268. In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douces et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Tome I. Coll. Faune Tropicale n° XXVIII. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren and O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris, 384 p. (Ref. 2938)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0039 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01585 (0.00623 - 0.04034), b=2.96 (2.74 - 3.18), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.1 ±0.1 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100).
