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qpZOOLOGY OF EGYPT:
THE FISHES OF THE NILE
BY
Ge a OROULENGER. Fit...
EERE,
PUBLISHED FOR THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT
BY
HUGH REES, Limitep, —
119 PALL: MALG, GON DON, 8. W.
1907.
DIVISION OF FcHES
ALERE ‘% FLAMMAM.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
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SEP 1 4 1907
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7
Po Ree Are:
DOCOSe
Tur Survey of the Fishes of the Nile, the results of which are embodied in this work,
was undertaken by the Egyptian Government in response to an appeal addressed in
January 1899 to the Earl of Cromer by the late Dr. John Anderson, supported by
Lord Lister, as President of the Royal Society, Dr. A. Giinther, as President of the
Tinnean Society, Prof. E. Ray Lankester, as Director of the Natural History
Departments of the British Museum, and Dr. P. L. Sclater, as Secretary of the
Zoological Society.
As pointed out by Dr. Anderson, our knowledge of the Fishes of the Nile was
then very imperfect, and as a Survey of the Congo Fishes had been undertaken by the
Government of the Congo Free State, and was in progress, the study of the results of
which had been entrusted to me, the time seemed opportune for the undertaking
which has resulted in the present work; the two Surveys, it was thought, would
naturally benefit each other, the materials afforded by the one throwing light upon
those of the other, many of the species of the two great rivers being closely allied,
a few even identical,
Dr. Anderson’s request received the approval of the Egyptian Government, the
necessary funds were granted, Mr. Leonard Loat was appointed to superintend and
carry out, during three years, the formation of a large collection of the Nile Fishes,
under the supervision of Dr. Keatinge, Director of the Government Medical School
at Cairo, and I was entrusted with the task of preparing a book which should form
part of Dr. Anderson’s ‘ Zoology of Egypt, of which a volume on the Reptiles had
already been published and a second volume, on the Mammals, was then in
preparation and has since appeared. The Trustees of the British Museum consented
- to provide the necessary collecting material.
vi PREFACE.
A detailed account of the Survey made on behalf of the Egyptian Government is
given by Mr. Loat himself in the Introduction to this work. It gives me great
pleasure to publicly express my high appreciation of the work done by Mr. Loat.
The enormous series of specimens collected and excellently preserved by him,
accompanied by valuable notes and coloured sketches, have very materially increased
our knowledge of the Fishes of the Nile. But an account of the Nile Fishes would
have been incomplete without a knowledge of those inhabiting the lakes which feed
the mighty river. And in this respect I have been most fortunate in being able to
describe large collections made by Mr. E, Degen in Lakes Tsana and Victoria,
supplementing the smaller collections made by the late Mr. W. G. Doggett in the
latter lake and presented to the British Museum by Sir Harry Johnston and Col. Delmé
Radcliffe, and from Lakes Albert and Albert Edward by Mr. J. E. S. Moore and the
late Mr. J. S. Budgett. I am indebted to Capt. S. Flower for many interesting
observations and a considerable number of specimens from various parts of the Nile,
and to Dr. F. Werner for the loan or gift of some rare fishes obtained by himself,
principally in the Bahr-el-Gebel.
I am also under obligation to the Curators of some of the principal Museums of
the Continent for the facilities they have afforded me in the examination of fishes
entrusted to their care. Prof. L. Vaillant has, with his usual kindness, allowed me
access to the types of Geoffroy St. Hilaire’s and Cuvier and Valenciennes’s species in
the Paris Museum, and he has supplied me with examples of some of the Victoria
Nyanza fishes recently discovered by M. Alluaud and described by Dr. J. Pellegrin.
The late Prof. F, Hilgendorf and Dr. P. Pappenheim, of the Berlin Museum,
Prof. G. Pfeffer, of the Hamburg Museum, and Dr. R. Gestro, of the Genoa
Museum, have most obligingly answered my many enquiries; whilst the Directors of
the Senckenberg Museum at Frankfort/M. have liberally granted me the loan of the
Lake Tsana fishes collected and described by Riippell.
I would have been greatly hampered in my work had I not been able to institute
a direct comparison of the Fishes of the Nile with those of the other water-systems
with which they are identical or nearly related. In this respect also I have been
fortunate, as, in addition to the material previously existing in the British Museum,
large collections have been at my disposal from the Congo, entrusted to me by the
PREFACE. Vil
Government of the Congo State, from the Niger, principally through the exertions
of Dr. W. J. Ansorge, Mr. H. L. Norton Traill (formerly Norton Smith), and the late
Mr. J.S. Budgett, from the Gambia, through the last-named, from the Senegal, thanks
to an expedition undertaken for the purpose by the late M. P. Delhez, with aid from
the Government Grant of the Royal Society, from Lake Chad and the Shari River,
through the late Capt. G. B. Gosling. Shortly before the conclusion of my work,
Mr. W. N. MeMillan has sent to the British Museum a large and valuable collection
made by Mr. P. C. Zaphiro in Gallaland and Southern Ethiopia, supplementing
smaller series entrusted to me for study by Mr. Oscar Neumann, the late Baron Carlo
von Erlanger, and Baron Maurice de Rothschild.
The importance of this material, which, so far as the Nile species are concerned,
is enumerated in this volume, will be realized from the fact that the 192 species
dealt with are described from 14,107 examples, 11,068 of which form part of
Mr. Loat’s collection. This enormous increase accounts for the delay which has
taken place in the issue of this work, which I first expected would require barely
four years to prepare, whilst it has taken seven. As it was nearing completion much
material kept falling into my hands, material of the greatest importance which could
not well have been left out, and owing to which publication had to be deferred.
The greater part of the fishes collected by Mr Loat will be preserved in the
British Museum (Natural History) and in the Museum of the Government Medical
School at Cairo, The surplus will be presented by the Egyptian Government to the
Gordon College at Khartum and to various Scientific Institutions.
I am requested by Mr. Loat to place here on record the services rendered to
him in the accomplishment of his task :—
“JT am much indebted to numerous officials, both civil and military, especially
to Dr. Keatinge, Director of the Kasr-el-Aini Hospital and Medical School, who
not only rendered me every assistance, but showed the greatest interest in my work
during the whole time that the survey lasted. When in the provinces I received
every help from both English and Egyptian officials, amongst whom I should like
to mention Basil Erian Effendi, the Multazzim who rented most of the fishing on
Vill PREFACE,
Lakes Menzaleh and Borollos, also Hassan Bey Harris, the then Mudir of Beni
Souef, and Muftah Bey in the Fayum. During my stay at Assuan in August and
September 1900, I received much hospitality and assistance from the late
Major Hunter and officers of the Xth Soudanese. At Wady Halfa I was indebted
to Major Macauley and Capt. Midwinter for the help they afforded me in the
transport of baggage &c. at the various times that I passed through their station.
Whilst in the Dongola province I received every assistance from Col. Hickman,
the late Governor, and also from his native officials both civil and military, and at
Abu Hamed from Capt. Hayes-Sadler. During the time I spent at Omdurman and
south of it, I was afforded every facility for carrying on the work by the kindness
and assistance of H.E. the Sirdar, Sir Reginald Wingate, and various officials, both
civil and military, amongst whom I should lke to mention Bond Bey, Mr. R. E.
Poole, Major Howard, and Capt. Parker, also Major Matthews, Capt. Morant,
and Agmie Effendi, the Water Transport Officer. For assistance whilst up the
Blue Nile, my best thanks are due to Major Smith at Wad Medine, likewise to
Major Phipps, who was good enough to place his sailing-boat and crew at my
disposal; when further up the river, viz. at Rosaires, I was much indebted to
Capt. S. Cameron, and also to Capt. R. J. Done, who kindly transported myself,
servants, and baggage from Rosaires to Khartum. In connection with my work
up the White Nile, my thanks are due to Major Blewitt, Mudir of Fashoda, to
Lieut. de Montmorency (now Viscount Frankfort) at Goz abu Gumah, also to
Bimbashi Crispin, and Lieut. Drury, R.N., and especially to Lieut. Bell, who was
then in charge of the district between Kenisseh and Mongalla. My thanks are
likewise due to Mr. R. McD. Hawker (who was on a shooting-trip up the river), for
his kindly assistance in many ways, not the least of which was a supply of drugs,
of which I had run short. At Gondokoro I received both assistance and kind
hospitality from Mr. H. R. Maxsted and Capt. R. Owen, late of the Uganda Rifles.
To Mr. J. R. Newlove, M. A. Delovar Effendi, and A. R. Keldany Effendi, formerly of
the Medical School, Cairo, I am much indebted for assistance in many ways during
the course of my work.”
Personally, I must, in the first place, express my sense of deep gratitude for
the genial encouragement bestowed on me at the outset of this undertaking by my
PREFACE. 1X
lamented friend Dr. John Anderson, who spared no trouble to ensure its success,
and for the interest and advice continued to me by Mrs. Anderson, whose name is
associated with her husband’s beautiful work on the land Vertebrates of Egypt.
I beg to thank Lord Cromer for the continued interest he has shown in the
Survey, to which he has alluded in several of his Reports.
To Dr. Keatinge I wish to convey my thanks for all the trouble he has taken
in the management of the business part of the Survey, and of the publication of its
results, as well as for much personal kindness.
To Prof. Flinders Petrie I am indebted for assistance in the matter of the
representations of fishes by the ancient Egyptians, and for access to the library under
his care at University College; also to Mr. Hilton Price, Mr. F. Ll. Griffith, and
Mr. W. L. Nash in connection with Egyptology; and my acknowledgments are due
to the Reverend Fathers of the Abbey of Maredsous for allowing me to keep for seven
years their (unfortunately incomplete) copy of the rare illustrated book of Rifaud,
‘Voyage en Egypte,’ the only great work on the Nile fauna, containing many coloured
pictures of fishes, not in the library of the Natural History Museum.
And, finally, my thanks are tendered to my talented artists, Messrs. P. J. Smit
and J. Green, for the pains they have taken on the illustrations.
G, A. B.
British Museum (Naturat History),
February 1907.
EN ERO DU yi.
Our scientific knowledge of the Fishes inhabiting the Nile may be said to have taken
its origin with the work of Hasselquist (‘ Iter Palestinum,’ 1757), in which 15 species.
are described from the Deltaic area or its immediate proximity. To these Forskal
(‘Descriptiones Animalium,’ 1775) and Sonnini (‘ Voyage en Egypte,’ 1799) soon after
added a few more.
In the great work ‘ Description de l’Egypte ’ (1809-1827) Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire
father and son described and figured 29 species, from examples obtained in the Lower
Nile. Riippell (1829-1832) and de Joannis (1835) made further additions to our
knowledge of the fishes of the Lower Nile, so that at the time of the former author’s
third contribution (1837) the number of species known to inhabit the river amounted
to 55, including 9 from Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, which he himself had
explored in 1832. The fishes collected by Russegger in Egypt enabled J. J. Heckel,
in 1847, to raise the number to 67 species, excluding those from Lake T'sana,
a number which must be somewhat reduced after a revision of the synonymy.
Petherick, while in Egypt and the Sudan in 1861-1863, made a collection for the
British Museum. ‘The fishes were obtained mostly at Cairo, Khartum, and Gondokoro,
and were described by Dr. Giinther in an Appendix to Petherick’s ‘'Travels in Africa,’
vol. ii., published in 1869. The number of species had then risen to 89, including
those from Lake Tsana.
From 1869 to 1899, when Dr. Anderson drew up his Memorandum, the fishes of
the Nile had been almost completely neglected. ‘Taking into consideration a few
species described from the Nile by Dr. H. E. Sauvage and Prof. L. Vaillant, and from
the Victoria Nyanza by Prof. F. Hilgendorf and Prof. G. Pfeffer, about 100 species
were known from the whole Nile system when, at the close of the last century, the
Survey of the Nile Fishes was started by the Egyptian Government.
Mr. L. Loat’s work in this connection, lasting a little over three years (1899-1902)
has enriched our knowledge of the Nile fish-fauna by an addition of 380 species. A
detailed account of his operations, drawn up by himself, is printed further on.
A small collection made by Mr. Zaphiro in the White Nile and the Sobat in 1904
has added one new species.
In 1902, when attached as naturalist to Sir John Harrington's Mission to Abyssinia,
Mr. E. Degen made a large collection of fishes. He succeeded in rediscovering every
one of the species described by Riippell from Lake Tsana and in adding 10 to the
62
i
Xi INTRODUCTION,
fish-fauna of that lake, which differs so markedly from that of the Blue Nile. Three
Species new to science and a few new to the Nile Basin were discovered shortly after
in the upper affluents of the Blue Nile by Mr. Zaphiro.
Very little was known of the fishes of the Great Southern Lakes whence the White
Nile takes its source. Fortunately, important collections were made whilst this work
was in preparation, Mr. J. E. 8S. Moore, on his return from the second Tanganyika
Expedition, discovering 4 new species in Lakes Albert and Albert Edward, and the
labours of the late Mr. Doggett resulting in the addition of 8 species to the fauna of
Lake Victoria. By the collection made soon after in the latter lake by M. Alluaud
for the Paris Museum 6 species were further added. But it was left to Mr. Degen,
when assisting Prof. EK. A. Minchin on Lake Victoria, to bring together a series which in
importance eclipses the results of all his predecessors, out of which no less than 26 new
species have been described, and which further illustrates the very special character of
the fish-fauna of that lake, and the little it has in common with that of the Nile.
This work was already entirely set up in type when I received from my friend
Dr. F. Werner a copy of his paper “ Beitraége zur Kenntniss der Fischfauna des
Nils,’ published in the ‘Sitzungsberichte’ of the Vienna Academy (cxv. i. 1906,
p. 1097), too late for me to be able to refer to it beyond this Introduction. The
60 species enumerated were all previously known *.
Thanks to all this activity, the number of species of fishes known from the whole
Nile system has risen from 100 to 192, which are enumerated in the following
systematic table showing their distribution in the present state of our knowledge.
The 17 columns refer to the following divisions :—
. Lakes of the Mediterranean Coast, and their immediate vicinity.
. Lower Nile (North of Assuan),
. Upper Nile (Assuan to Khartum).
Blue Nile (up to Rosaires).
Upper affluents of the Blue Nile (above 1500 feet altitude).
Lake Tsana (about 6000 feet).
. White Nile (Qmdurman to Bahr-el-Ghazal).
. Bahr-el-Gebel.
. Albertine and Victoria Niles (above 1500 feet),
. Lake Albert (about 2000 feet).
11. Southern tributaries of Lake Albert.
12. Lake Albert Edward (about 3000 feet).
13. Lake Victoria (about 4000 feet).
14. Occurrence East of the Nile System.
i
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* It should be pointed out that the fish figured by Dr. Werner as Chelethiops bibte does not belong to
that species, but is referable to Barilius niloticus.
SYSTEMATIC INDEX AND TABLE OF DISTRIBUTION OF
INTRODUCTION.
x1
THE FisHes oF THE NILE SYSTEM.
10.
Saal
12.
13. | 14. | 15.
| 16.
ve
CROSSOPTERYGII.
| CLADISTIA.
| POLYPTERID&.
1. Polypterus, Geoffr., p. 2.
es Deehae) (Gees Ps Oo. 5ie ee eas #
2 ehdhecher, Fee peu! 1... een. s ee
o. wenegalus; Cau., pF es RGAE
DIPNEUSTI.
LEPIDOSIRENID 4.
1. Protopterus, Ow., p. 19.
J, ethiopiets, ete. pel ou.3 yk pa
TELEOSTET.
MALACOPTERYGII.
MorMYRID#.
1. Mormyrops, J. Mull., p. 29. |
1. anguilioidés, [vei 29" as Sen Eh
2. Petrocephalus, Marcus., p. 32. |
Ls, Dine. emee, DUO 2.) wale a eee: oP
Beshowe, Ce Fo 0. Oe oa see ee bie
Do MOGULS LGR, Wr0 one a otc She tas
HOt, Wisi ps Od. w Abies ha Pee
3. Marecusenius, Gill, p. 40. |
he orice ne gr ie AO tase on
Pe ASME oe a eter 28 Sa el ily
3. harringtoni, Blgr., p.44 ...... a
4. petherici, Blgr., p. 451. .00.50. is,
_ 4, Gnathonemus, Gill, p. 48. |
| Le pets, Marous., p.. 48.4 G8! ae
2B. CRPPIOL CR, 25 Pe Oj ote. ia tee le ik
3. macrolepidotus, Peters, p.53..... ..
4. longibarbis, Hilg., p. 557 ...... le Fe
Bre “gel GH Bs. Phi aaah acd nes og Eg
o. Mormyrus, Z., p. 59. :
1. hasselquistii, C. & V., p.69 ....) ..
2. kannume, Forsk., p. 61 .... 20.6
| 3. caschive, Hasselq., p. 66 ......
| 4, niloticus, Bl. Schn., p. 68 ...... oe
_ 6. Hyperopisus, Gl, p. 70. |
1. bebe, Lacep., p. 70 SE
. Gymnarchus, Cuv., p. 74. |
1. niloticus, Cuv., p. 74
~I
* KK *
*
* K *
* * *
* OK *
+ Was not found by Speke in the White Nile, as stated by Giinther and repeated by myself.
is situated at the Nile outlet of Lake Victoria.
Urundogani
ae |
. Cromeria, Blgr.,
. Ichthyoborus, Ghr.
NovoPprErip®,
. Xenomystus, Gthr., p. 80.
Pee Ge pe OU =a. Geta eas
OSTEOGLOSSID&.
. Heterotis, Hhrenb., p. 83.
1. niloticus, Hhrenb., p. 84
CLUPEID &.
. Clupea, Z., p. 89.
1. finta, Cuv., p. 89
6 ee 8 6 oe be SS es
CROMERIID®.
p- 93.
euiones, Bigrs 0. 94, 2 Seer a
OSTARIOPHYSI.
CHARACINID &.
. Hydrocyon, Cwv., p. 98.
LS forsitalit, Cv, p.100 5 Jokes
2. lineatus, Blkr., p. 104 ........
O, brevis, Gir, i LO Tesi. oe
. Alestes, M. g 7’. D. 110.
. dentex, Oe ee Spee ee
: baremose, ee Oe, Say eee
. sadleri, Blgr., p. 121 ers ee
MSC ey Dake hey 5 og eke s
_ macrolepidotus, C. & V., p. 127
"OU CONF
‘ Micralestes, Blgre p. 13t.
ile acutidens, Peters, p. 131
,p. 134.
1. besse, Joann., p. 184..........
. Nanneethiops, Gthr., Dp: 137,
1. uniteniatus, Gthr., p. 137...
. Distichodus, I. & Z., p. 139.
boule; spl =
2. rostratus, Gthr., p.143........
3. brevipinnis, Gthr., p. 146......
4, engyeephalus, Gthr., p. 148 .
. Nannocharax, Gthr., p. 150.
1. niloticus, Joann., p. 150 ......
. Citharinus, Cuv., p. 152.
1. citharus, Geoffr., p. 153
2 latus, 0d 7. p. 156.2... ae
CYPRINIDS.
. Labeo, Cuv., p. 160.
i Denies, Mors. D.<k00s 9. 4e5 Bie
2. horie, Heck., p. 167
3. coubie, Rupp., p. 170
ese: S28 ete fe bexvne ue
ab cktgesatre—lemteh ie
*
INTRODUCTION.
De 4, ee 8. 1D; 4-4,
*
* * *
a
* * ok * *
+k *
*% * K x
* ru %* ok
* ae cS
oe %
*K BS
oe oe *
cS * * *
* 3 % 7k
BS **
* * *
14,
15.
*
16.
3
INTRODUCTION.
CYPRINIDZ (con.).
1. Labeo (con.).
4, victorianus, Blgr., p. 174...... erg. Reh eae ae a
D, Loreal, teipp. p. 1/6 45545 eee eee ee ae
2. Discognathus, Heck., p. 180.
L. -denibecnsis, feipp.; p lolx ol 4g ee ae Ree ee eee
2. johnstonii, Blgr., p. 184 ...... gay acon arse Sane seweare aie
3. vinciguerre, Blgr., p. 185...... et Sd a a oe ea
4. quadrimaculatus, 2ipp., p.. 186.) 5 7 bao ee ee
3. Varicorhinus, Riipp., p. 190.
i DesO, PPE. p20 se ee ees ee eet re ee ae
4, Barbus, Cuv., p. 195.
S DUNG LOG Dees ses lee: ah el ae eae by a ed epee ae
. duchesni, Bigr., p. 208 ...... ES en toed re er vere
3, lobogenys, Blgr., p. 210 -...... es ;
A. radelitii, Bigr., p. 212. ek
5. gudaricus, Blgr., p.214........ a ee ae oe eee
6. eumystus, Bigr.. p. 215. Ass. Sg: cae. peewee ee
oo. MOS, Hepp. Do 26 ives ike: -. | *
b>
. leptosoma, Bigr., p. 220 ...... Sere |p ae oer eee
10; degeni, Blora p. 222 .....i-d4s a
1d; -nedoia, Aiopscp. 223: ga ee ee ee re ee ae
12. surkis, fupp., p. 226-2. 2.4 6s Ree Aes, ae rere |e
13. intermedius, Riipp., p. 228 .... os.
14. fergussonu, Bigr., p. 280 ......
15. eduardianus, Blgr., p. 231...... a TAT aoe ee EEN
UG. plastostomus, Blo. 922820 <class ee ee eee
ig, platystomngs, Bigr Weert! yee le ee oe
PS SAP pAMOM nals HOO! ae Daa eee ne cer ek oe
19. gorguari, fivipp. p. 237 ...5.. Aire Sey here eee eee
20. nummifer, Blgr., p. 239 ...... a
21. macropristis, Blgr., p. 241 Pri eee Pepe <n eae es
oon plouropranina, Dlr D248. 2 of = ee ey lee le
23, portali, Blgr., p, 243.000.6.0. . A
24, carpio, Pfef., p. 244. hese ei ses
25. minchini, Blgr., p. 245 ........ Bacti ise lees Pes
26. perince, Riipp., p. 246........ ela el gee we oe ere
21. trispuopleura,Blar: p. Dag. hee lis aoe el Ve
23; humilis Bigr.,.p. 280 <4 4466s eae one eee Bret SaaS
29, negléctus, Bigr., p. 251. 0.00. Lraebir ee 2 eck dele
30. werneri, Blgr., p. 253 ........ ras is. tae ae Ny ge
31. doggetti, Bigr., p. 255 ........
32. magdalenw, Blgr., p. 256...... Pel ees
oo; aneina, Hig; p, 206i a~se cers Lies be ae
34, stigmatopygus, Blgr., p. 258 ’
35. pumilus, Blgr., p. 259 ..,.....
5. Barilius, Ham. Buch., p. 261.
1. niloticus, Joann., p. 262 ...... ont) eae 1 '
2. loati, Blgr., p. 265...........- Pe ee ee a at ae
6. Neobola, Vineig., p. 268. |
1, argentea, Pellegr., p. 268 ...... ES
7. Chelethiops, Blgr., p. 271.
ar ibid, Joann. pi 27L 0 Pars ee ae ae
8. Nemachilus, Van Hass., p. 274.
1, abyssinicus, Blgr., p. 274...... icy sete Mee ere! ee ae
* KK KKK
Oe eC
XV1
INTRODUCTION.
10.
On
Sa)
10,
LE:
2.
13.
. Clarias, Gron., p. 278.
. Eutropius, MZ. & 7., p. 306.
. Sehilbe, Cuv., p. 311.
. Siluranodon, Blkr., p. 318.
. Physailia, Blgr., p. 321.
» Bagrus, Cuv., p. 323.
. Chrysichthys, Blkr., p. 333.
. Clarotes, Kner, p. 339.
. Andersonia, Blgr., p. 392.
. Malopterurus, Lacep., p. 394.
SILURID&.
1. anguillaris, Z., p. 280
MOOT, ane Te BBO ein os aes a
robecelts Varcia:ps 280-3... |
Splaorane Cog Mp. 288. oo 845,
. tsanensis, Blgr., p. 292
. carsonil, Blgr., p. 294
. alluaudi, Blgr., p. 296
8. werneri; Bigr., p. 297
es eet Pat Sg om ee a
“TO Or RD bo
ee3ee @ vr ee
1. bidorsalis, LZ. Geoffr., p. 300...
2. lungifilis, 0. 6 V, p. 303......
te milotieus, ttuop., p. S064. 0.4.
TeomnyiSitis <r. rod ls po Se a
2. uranoscopus, Piipp., p. 315 ..
de nuribus.s [Goyer Vi GLO 5 Oe.
Te pellucida, Blois py ofl oo c.a a8
dT, Payatl, More, Poet a et cs ©
A Voemac,Horsitc pe O2 (2 os.
Se COCeM eo aZ0r OU 4 cn a4 <5 on
ES AUTAUIS, “G20 hs DAGGS 45...) a
2 rueppelliy Bigr P.O... aceasx
1. laticeps, Ripp., p. 340 ........
Auchenoglanis, Gthr., p. 344.
1. biscutatus, J. Geoffr., p. 344....
2. occidentalis, C. & V., p. 347....
Synodontis, Cww., p. 350.
1. schall, Bl. Schn., p. 353
2. frontosus, Vaill., p. 358
3. caudovittatus, Blyr., p. 361 ..
a awictonia; Bign, Da800. .. shucks
5. afro-fischeri, /7i/q7., p. 364......
O- m1oTiia, CoV peoeer 7.5-..
EL CUDIOris, DUGi SMO ns. 5 te
8. filamentosus, Blgr., p. 371
9. serratus, Rupp., p. 372
10s SOTEX, “Gulia OT O- ng Seas
ANSE] en aie SO TRS | O87 eee Re eR
12. batensoda, Riipp., p. 3880 ......
13. membranaceus, Geoffr., p. 383 ..
Chiloglanis, Peters, p. 386.
Ee milotious, Bigr., p- d80) ot. is...
Mochocus, Joann., p. 388.
LE anuloticus,..Joaen., p. 388 2. 5.
Bo PROVIG, DLOPAD MODY bscaae cen as
1. leptura, Blgr., p. 392
TE, electri¢us, Gm..-p. 899. veeueel
* KK:
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12.
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APODES.
ANGUILLID ®.
1. Anguilla, Shaw, p. 401.
1. vulgaris, Purt, p. 402. eee
HAPLOMI,
CYPRINODONTIDA. |
. Cyprinodon, Lacep., p. 406.
e
t. fascitns, Vat. p. 40%: se aeaes
2. dispar, Rupp., p. 411
. Fundulus, Zacep., p. 413.
t©
1. teniopvgus, Hilg., p. 413 .....
w
. Haplochilus. MeClell., p. 415.
1. schoelleri, Blgr., p. 415........
2. loatis: Blot ope A sb eG
S.-Wiad Bie HF. De AO ee Ga
4, bifasciatus, Stdr., p.419 ....
5. pumillus, Blgr., p. 420 .......
PERCESOCES.
ATHERINIDA.
. Atherina, L., p. 423.
—
1, mochon, Cag V3 ps 423-3 2:
MUGILIDZ.
. Mugil, Ari., p. 427.
a
1, cephalus, 2.5.9, 429-0 se:
% CApd, OU. Gon 3a ae
3. auratus, ftisso, p. 435 ......
OPHIOCEPHALID®.
. Ophiocephalus, Bl., p. 437.
eat
1. obscurus, Gthr., p. 438 ......
ANABANTID#.
1. Anabas, Cuv., p. 441.
1. petherici, Gthr., p. 442 ......
2. muriel, Blgr., p. 444 ........
ACANTHOPTERYGII.
SERRANID A,
1. Morone, Mitch., p. 446.
1. labrax, L., p. 447
2. punctata, Bl., p. 449
- Lates, C. & V., p. 452.
1, niloticus, Z., p. 452
i)
CICHLID.
1. Hemichromis, Peters, p. 461.
1. bimaculatus, Gill, p. 461
ab 6 -e XSL 2's.
eeeeeeerteeste el
a ae ew oe aie ee Ee Me
cD ow - 8-0 eles) eu
* * *
INTRODUCTION.
2 3. a 8. 10; | thks 8 ba el ae ee
* | #
* | * *
*
* | x
* | *
* | *
* *
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* | * *
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* | * : * | *
XVill
INTRODUCTION.
co
ha
on
fons
10.
tah.
13.
14.
on
2.
6.
CICHLID# (con.).
Paratilapia, Blkr., p. 466.
. longirostris, Hilg., p. 467 ......
. prognatha, Pellegr., p. 469 ..
pPSOREAMUS s 14 Ci gst. yo tgs trans
~ Smarty, elles Pe A lO oo cee a
. vietoriana, Pellegr., p. 474
ROAM le wsegis, Ds ey CO 6a. ka ae ts
= -CiNeRGhs 100.5 Det] O a. ame VS
Re DCOlOn: WN Oita Dh] One. 2 eae a
. retrodens, Hilq., p. 480
. erassilabris, Blgr., p. 482 ......
i
OO OHO aTO Ore WNW
. Pelmatochromis, Stdr., p. 48-4.
I Acai tous, Alga. 400: <0! 5 a
2 Spek gin Ps 2O0 Cae Wises
3. flavipinnis, Bigr., p. 483 .....-
4. microdon, Blgr., p. 490
SEIS) OVS Tiere 27 7 een Ova sce Gk Sperm On ceca
ee ee +
. Platyteniodus, Blgr., p. 493.
es. devon, BIgro Ps 200. os vss ies +s
. Haplochromis, Hlg., p. 495.
1. percoides, Bigr., p.496........
2. stgicena, yey, p. 497...
desfontainesi, Lacep., p. 501....
pallirais eblegt ss ps 000 ic 5
atamiey yom. pr O01 os Ga sons
PUSMTMAOM, 21 T.-Py DUO”. ae as
ae
—
apia, A. Smith, p. 513.
Machi, igi Po Olas. @ ise eee
lacrimosa, Bigr., p. 515........
SRMUOR A dag We OFT free ce bites
MUIGMCANS,, Didi, Px O13 wa. 5 <a.
Si Giine t G ay een oO es ergs Snares anes
Se ObLGH, M5 Da OO ne wae se ee ee
Syl Dins Lg. .! Pin BOO ae sae sss
/ galileea, Art., p. O31 5.5 + 1a.
. Petrochromis, Blgr., p. 535.
1. andersonii, Blgr., p. 5385 ......
GoBiIp#.
. Eleotris, Gron., p. 537.
Mo Tanss Blghe T. OOS) noe co Pulls
OPISTHOMI.
MASTACEMBELIDA.
. Mastacembelus, G'ron., p. 540.
ie eter, igh Pools mies 5 os
PLECTOGNATHI.
TETRODONTID A,
Metrodon; L., p. 543.
imeithiaka, dos DON ie. scl ce a
. nuchisquamulatus, Hilg., p. 510.
* KK KK EK KK K
* * KKK *
* KKK KK *
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|
at des
INTRODUCTION, XIX
An examination of the above table will show the great uniformity in the fish-fauna
of the whole Nile from the Bahr-el-Gebel to the Delta. ‘The fishes of the Lower Nile
are very much the same as those of the tropical parts, only two species (Mormyrops
anguilloides and Chrysichthys rueppellt) being apparently restricted to the north of the
First Cataract; there is a decrease in the richness of the fauna from South to North,
but, with the exception of a few types confined to the White Nile and the Bahr-el-Gebel,
no difference in general character, and many species first discovered in the Lower Nile
have been found again in the White Nile, and vice versd. Very little is known of the
fishes of Lakes Albert and Albert Edward and the lower part of the Victoria Nile, the
waters of which are carried off by the Bahr-el-Gebel, but, so far as we can judge, they
do not differ very considerably from those of the Nile. Lake Victoria, on the other
hand, has a quite different fish-fauna, hardly any of the typically Nilotic species having
been found in its waters. In this respect, the Victoria Nyanza stands much in the
same relation to the Nile as the Tanganyika to the Congo, although the former lake
is incomparably poorer than the latter, especially as regards generic differentiation
of its Cichlid fishes. It is therefore highly probable that the fishes of Lake Victoria
have, for a long geological period, been cut off from the Nile, and that the Falls of the
Victoria Nile at the present day constitute a barrier to their dispersal. Lake ‘Tsana
and the upper affluents of the Blue Nile also have a fish-fauna very different from
that of the Blue Nile from Rosaires northwards, being mainly characterized by the
ereat variety of Cyprinids, mostly of the genus Barbus, whilst Lake Victoria derives
its peculiar character from the multiplicity of species of Cichlids.
This peculiar character of the fishes of Lake Victoria is all the more remarkable from
the long-known fact that the Nile fish-fauna extends to the great rivers of West Africa
(Senegal, Gambia, Niger), through the Chad Basin, as has recently been established,
and also to Lake Rudolf. As shown by the above table (column 195), as many as
51 species out of 104 found in the Nile below 1500 feet altitude are represented in the
western watershed. Of the 16 species known from Lake Rudolf, 13 are found also in
the Nile, and are mostly the same as extend to Lake Chad and the West African
ltivers.
On the other hand, the Congo system, so closely interlocking with that of the Nile
in the region of the Bahr-el-Ghazal, has a quite distinct fish-fauna, possessing very few
species (15 out of 265) in common with the Nile.
The points of affinity between the fishes of the Nile and those of the Jordan have
long ago been pointed out. But these are after all restricted to identity of a few species
of Silurids (Clarias) and Cichlids (Tilapia, Haplochromis), and their importance is
outweighed by the total absence from the latter river of such characteristic African
families as the Polypteride, the Mormyride, and the Characinide.
Most of the genera represented in the Nile system are common to the other rivers of
Tropical Africa. However, Cromeria (the monotype of a remarkable family), Ichthyo-
C2
XX INTRODUCTION.
borus (Characinid), Silwranodon and Andersonia (Siluride) are at present only known
from the Nile, while Platytwniodus (Cichlide) is peculiar to Lake Victoria. Mochocus
(Siluridze) would also be characteristic of the Nile but for its discovery in Lake Rudolf.
Genera distributed from the Nile to the Atlantic coast, but absent from the Congo and
the Zambesi, are Hyperopisus and Gymnarchus (Mormyrid), Heterotis (Osteoglossidx),
and Clarotes (Siluride). Among the genera represented in the great lakes and their
neighbouring rivers, but not in the Nile, must be mentioned Varicorhinus and Nemachilus
(Cyprinide) in Lake ‘sana, Neobola (Cyprinide), Fundulus (Cyprinodontide),
Paratilapia and Pelmatochromis (Cichlid), and Mastacembelus (Mastacembelide) 1n
Lake Victoria, and Petrochromis (Cichlide) in Lake Albert. Nemachilus is interesting
as the only African representative of the Loaches, otherwise confined to the Palearctic
and Indian Regions. Varicorhinus has its nearest allies in South-western Asia,
Morocco, Lake Tanganyika, and Angola; Neodola is represented in East Africa and
Lake Tanganyika, Petrochromis in Lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa, whilst the four other
genera are widely distributed in Tropical Africa.
A full discussion of the various problems involved in the study of the distribution of
the freshwater fishes of Africa will be found in my address to the Section of Zoology
at the South African Meeting of the British Association in 1905 (Rep. Brit. Assoc.
1905, pp. 412-432).
MR. LOAT’S REPORT ON THE NILE FISH SURVEY.
Atv the beginning of the year 1899 I was asked by the Egyptian Government to
undertake a scientific survey and make a collection of the Fishes of the Nile.
The final arrangements having been made, I left this country for Egypt and arrived
at Cairo on the Ist of March. While abroad I was attached to the Medical School,
Cairo, which is under the Ministry of Public Instruction. I started work at Cairo
soon after my arrival, in order to get some insight into the methods of fishing, the
class of men with whom I should chiefly have to deal, and a knowledge of the
commoner types of fish, before proceeding further afield. I made frequent visits to
the fish-markets, or ‘ Halagers,” where the fish are sold by auction, of which there
are two in Cairo, one at Boulak and the other in old Cairo, the former being the more
important. The halagers are owned by men called “ Multazzims,” who rent a certain
district from the Government, to which a number of fishermen are attached; these
register their names at the halager, a small registration-fee sometimes being charged
by the Multazzim, giving them the right to fish in a certain district on the understanding
that all fish that are caught must be sold by them at the halager to which they are
attached. The sum realized by the catch is generally divided in the proportion of
one-third to the Multazzim and the remainder to the fishermen.
Fishes of the Nile Introduction. Pl. A.
nee. ts
aw —
Py ee wehegeen opt near aia ane,
~
THROWING-NET AS USED ON THE LOWER NILE.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MR.UL. LOAT.
INTRODUCTION. Xxi
The whole of the Egyptian Fisheries, whether in the Nile, the large lakes, the
irrigation-canals, or the ponds left by the receding Nile, is thus leased out by the
Government to companies or individuals. The same system has been adopted in the
Soudan, but not to the same extent as in Egypt, owing to the relatively small and
scattered population. At present there are halagers at Wady Halfa, Berber, Omdurman,
Duem, Goz abu Gumah, and even a small one at Fashoda. One occasionally comes
across curious characters amongst the natives employed at the various halagers. In
Cairo, at the Boulak fish-market, the auctioneer was a fine well-built old Arab who was
stone deaf, but this did not hinder him in the least from carrying out his duty, as he
followed the bidding by watching the lips of the buyers, and during several visits to
this halager I never saw the slightest hitch in the proceedings. He was an interesting
person in other ways, being reported to have married fifty-eight wives in the course of
his life.
The Multazzims are of various nationalities, often Copts, who are a business-like set
of men. The revenues drawn from the Egyptian Fisheries are considerable and the
method of leasing them out seems to give general satisfaction to all concerned,
although during very low Niles the profits of the Multazzims are somewhat curtailed.
Since this was written the Government has made the fishing free to all, with the
exception of that taking place at the regulators.
The methods of fishing adopted at Cairo were various, and I cannot do better than
give a description of those in general use, which one would see on the Nile anywhere
between the mouth and the First Cataract. ‘The commonest net of all is a circular
throwing-net, commonly known to the Arabs as a‘‘ torraha” or “ shabaka ” (7. é. a net),
with an average circumference of about 50 feet and a half-inch mesh. ‘The circumference
and the mesh vary a good deal, the latter from 4 to # of an inch, the small-meshed nets
being of course the more expensive. A strong cord is attached to the middle of the
net and a thin cord runs round the circumference. ‘To the latter leads are attached,
about 3 inches apart, and it is looped up at every 18 inches to the inside of the net
at a height of about 6 inches, thus forming a series of pockets in which the fish not
otherwise entangled in the meshes get caught. Fish, with the exception of very large
ones, rarely escape under the edge of the net, as it is kept close to the ground by the
large number of weights.
This net is the one most frequently used in Egypt and in the Soudan as far as
Omdurman ; in fact, wherever an Arab fisherman is found he is certain to have one of
these nets. It is used in the following manner (see Pls. A & B):—The cord, and the
middle portion of the net to which it is attached, is gathered up in the right hand,
half the net now hanging down in front of the fisherman, who then throws the edge of
the net over his right elbow, which is held at right angles to the body, and gathers
up one half of the free portion in his left hand whilst the other half is left hanging
down in front of him. He is now ready to make a cast, and firmly planting his
XX11 INTRODUCTION.
feet on the ground he turns the upper part of his body away from the water and then
swings smartly back again, releasing the net from his left hand, as shown on
the photograph. The impetus gained by the swing carries out the free portion of
the net and at the same moment he lets go the rest of the net and the cord which
is held in his right hand, except the end, which is, of course, retained. If the net
is properly thrown it should fall on the surface of the water in a more or less
complete circle. The net is now allowed to sink to the bottom and is then carefully
drawn in, the fish are taken out and the water squeezed out of the net, which is
gathered up for a fresh cast. This form of net is most efficacious in shallow water, and
if it is muddy so much the better, as the fish are not frightened by the shadow of
the net as it is being cast. When the water is clear satisfactory results are often
obtained by using it at night. Before casting, the fisherman sometimes throws im a
large stone or strikes the water with a stick, this often having the effect of attracting
fish to the spot.
Two other forms of casting-net are in use, chiefly on the lakes of the Delta. The one
generally used on Lake Borollos is known as “shabak-el-houn,” or simply “ shabak,”
the words “bil masarine” being sometimes added to distinguish it from the ordinary
“torraha.” On Lakes Edkou, Mareotis, and at Rosetta it is called “shabak.” ‘The only
other place where this net is in general use is on the Blue Nile. One of these nets
measured 60 feet in circumference and had a ?-inch mesh. ‘The weights round the
edge are about 1 inch apart, seldom as much as 3 inches. In the centre of the net
is a small wooden ring, through which pass six cords which are attached to the edge
at equal distances apart. About 3 feet above the ring all the cords are attached to one
strong cord (see fig. 1,@). Each of the main cords has two others attached to it about
6 feet from the edge of the net, and there are other attachments, making 04 in all,
thus greatly strengthening the net in case of large fish being enclosed (see fig. 1, d).
This net is cast in exactly the same way as the one previously described, but it 1s
rather more difficult to manipulate owing to the tendency of the numerous cords to
become entangled as it is being hauled in.
The third kind of casting-net is much smaller and resembles the ordinary “ torraha,”
but without pockets or cord; it is used on the lakes for catching single fish such as the
“ Bouri” (Mugil cephalus), especially at the time when the gravid females are leaving the
lakes in order to spawn in the sea. Near Gemil on Lake Menzaleh, at certain seasons,
one may see numbers of men and even quite small boys moving about cautiously in
the shallow water with one of these small nets on the right arm. As soon as a fish, a
gravid Bouri, for choice, is marked, one of them proceeds to quietly stalk it, and as
soon as he has approached as near as he thinks the fish will allow, he deftly casts his
net in the desired direction, sometimes a distance of 4 or 5 yards from where he
stands, and as often as not his skill is rewarded. The neatness with which some of
the boys throw this net is most interesting to watch.
Fishes of the Nile Introduction. Pl. B.
ee 5
THROWING-NET AS USED ON THE LOWER NILE.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MR. L.LOAT.
INTRODUCTION. XX1ll
Another net in very general use on the Nile and the lakes is called “ gouratta,”
larger ones being sometimes called “dowar.’ ‘These two names are also used by the
fishermen of the Birket Karun in the Fayum, but refer to a different kind of net.
At Rosetta it is known either as a “gouraffa” or “edda heshna.” It catches all
kinds of fish and can be used either by day or night, the most satisfactory results
being obtained where there is little or no current, such as in backwaters, shallow
channels, &c. This net varies in length from 25 to 250 yards and in width from 4 to
25 feet, whilst the mesh is from + to 2 of an inch. The floats are made of cork, wood,
or “garra,” the last being a kind of pumpkin which grows very freely in Nubia, 1s
round in shape, and makes excellent floats when dried ; leads are generally used
for the bottom. |
Fig. 1.
The most suitable conditions for working this net are fairly shallow water with little
or no stream, a muddy or sandy bottom with no rocks and as few stones as possible.
One end is held on the shore, and the rest is coiled up in the stern of a boat from
which it is payed out, or if the water be very shallow it is simply dragged out by the
men, A semicircular piece of water is enclosed by the net, which is then dragged
ashore bit by bit, as the men at each end work towards the middle. It is most
important to keep the bottom line close to the ground to prevent the escape of the
fish, and this is facilitated by having a pole of about the width of the net attached at
each end, this being kept upright with the end resting on the bottom (see diagram,
fig. 2). If worked in a narrow channel the net can be stretched from bank to bank,
and, after being dragged down-stream a short distance, one end is brought across to the
XXIV INTRODUCTION,
opposite side and then dragged in (see diagram, fig. 3). Backwaters often yield a
good catch (see diagram, fig. 4), especially if worked at night, as fish seem to resort to
Fig. 2.
them for purposes of sleep or rest. I remember one night at Ibrim, in Nubia, going
out to a shallow backwater, and having stretched the net as quietly as possible across
the mouth I sent half a dozen men to the other end with orders to walk in the water
a ne a ee,
ae ra tava sty ee olp nenpSa Ne ait, Nees ee
Se eee rane atest oe f ro) ge Senna ee ee 8 oe rita Sioste
eerste os meses eerie ty ea ee Bee as ee ier ~ =i
=== ee eee
aa fies ES ee
towards the net, splashing about as they came. When they got within about ten yards
from the net we had quite an exciting time, the fish leaping about in all directions,
some over the net and others on to the bank. On dragging the net in we found an
excellent catch in point of numbers, though of little value for eating purposes, the
bulk consisting of the fish known as Kelp-el-bahr (Hydrocyon forskalit), the flesh of
which is insipid and full of long and very thin bones,
INTRODUCTION. XXV-
There is another method of catching fish sometimes seen in the vicinity of Cairo in
shallow ponds, &c. The net used is about 6 yards long and 14 yards wide and is attached
to a couple of short poles (see diagram, fig. 5). It is worked by two men, one to each
pole, and is spread out nearly upright with the lower edge on the bottom and is then.
dragged to the end of the pond, when it is quickly lifted out of the water, the lower
end being raised, thus causing the fish to fall back into the net. |
Fig. 5.
There is still another method which is sometimes used at Cairo, and occasionally in
some of the large canals of the Delta. The apparatus consists of two large circular
nets, called “‘farrat,” just like an enormous casting-net with a circumference of about
50 yards, a l-inch mesh, with leads placed round the edges, and with strong cords
attached to the centre of each. Lach net is arranged on the stern of a separate boat
and when the desired fishing-place is reached the edges of the two nets are fastened
Fig. 6.
together at one place by a peg, which is so fixed that it can be pulled out when
desired. The peg is attached to a long line, to one end of which a large float is
fastened (see diagram, fig. 6, a), whilst the other end is made fast to one of the boats,
d
XXV1 INTRODUCTION,
which are then rowed away from each other, whilst the nets ere payed out, and, by
careful manipulation of the boats, are gradually let into the water, the large float
keeping the parts furthest from the boats near the surface (fig. 6, 5, c). When all is
ready the peg with the float attached to it is pulled away and the two nets sink, in a
circular form (fig. 6, d). When they have reached the bottom, each boat hauls in its
own net in the same way as an ordinary casting-net (fig. 6, e).
In Upper Egypt a variation of the above method is occasionally employed, but with
only one net, which is called a “ gabas.” One man walks along the bank with a rope
which is attached to the net by a peg to which are fastened two lines, a short one
with a large float and a longer one held in the boat. ‘The boat is rowed down-stream
and the net is payed out, the man on the bank keeping in line with the boat and
helping to drag the net along. After covering a short distance the peg with the float
attached is pulled away, allowing the whole net to sink, and it is then hauled in by the
cord attached to its middle, which has been previously fastened to the boat.
A method of catching fish by means of hooks is in common use throughout Egypt
and Nubia, but no bait is used, the fish being “foul” hooked. The hooks are roughly
made of iron, filed to a long and very sharp point and with a
primitive sort of barb, as shown in fig. 7, and are attached by
short lines to a stout cord at a distance of from 34 inches to 2 feet
apart, with small corks placed at intervals to keep the line clear of
the ground. There are usually from 450 to 600 hooks on a line,
which rest on the bottom, and if a fish, especially a soft-bodied one,
such as the Shal, Bagada, Farfour, or Fahaka, happens to swim
against a hook he has little chance of escape, since the more he
struggles the deeper the hook penetrates. Scaly fish are often
taken and ground-feeders fall an easy prey. The most profitable
season for this sort of fishing is during the flood, when vast
numbers of fish are working their way up-stream. When the
current is strong, stones are attached at intervals along the line to
keep it in place. The lines are usually laid down at sunset and picked up again at
sunrise, when they are dried by being coiled on poles placed in the boat (see PI. C).
‘They are either laid down in the middle of the river with a large stone attached to
each end and picked up again with a grapnel, or one cord is attached to a stake driven
into the bank and the line is payed out. In the former case floats to indicate the
position of the line are but seldom used, as each set of men keep to their own piece of
the river and know exactly where their lines have been placed. These sets of hooks
are generally known as “sennara,” although the Arabic word “sennar” means a hook
of any kind, barbed or ‘otherwise. Batbed hooks are often referred to as “sennara
Ingleese” (English hooks), to distinguish them from the rough native ones, and sets of
these are called “zarema.” At Assuan I saw such a set of about 250 barbed hooks,
Fishes of the Nile. Introduction. Pl. C.
Me ral)
eet
ry eet
j i firs ACL
CAIRO FISHING BOAT WITH SETS OF HOOKS.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SIR JOHN ROGERS.
INTRODUCTION. XXVH
each attached to a long line by a short one of about 12 inches and set about 2 feet
apart. There was a small stone to about every 10 hooks, a large stone at one end and
a float at the other. The hooks were baited with “dourra” (miliet) paste, but small
worms are sometimes used. At Kafr-el-Zayat, on the Delta, worms were used in
summer and paste in winter; Shal and Shilbe are the two species chiefly caught.
Occasionally these barbed hooks are baited with young fish, such as “ Bessariya,” but
this does not find much favour with the professional fishermen. However, when
fishing in the Soudan, I found pieces of fish were excellent bait.
In the Cairo district the fishing in the irrigation-canals, trenches, and pools left
after the inundation was unimportant, the fish being small and chiefly Fahada, Bolti,
Armut, Bessariya, and Rhy, the Armut being especially common when there was much
mud and little water, and easily caught by men groping with their hands round the
sides of the pools. Care is necessary, however, on account of the sharp spine of
the pectoral fins, which are held out at right angles to the body when the fish is
disturbed. Owing to the kindness of Captain Stanley Flower, I was enabled to fish in
the lake of the Zoological Gardens at Giza, which communicates with the Nile by a
large drain. In this lake I caught some splendid specimens of Bolti (Z¢lapia nilotica).
Towards the end of April I left Cairo for the Delta, with the intention of working
the four great lakes Menzaieh, Borollos, Edkou, and Mareotis, then the Damietta and
Rosetta branches of the Nile, finishing with the Barrage 15 miles North of Cairo. Lake
Menzaleh was chosen as the starting-point, because it is the most important fishing-
ground in the whole of Egypt, the chief halagers being at Ghet-el-Nassara in the
North-west corner, Matariyeh in the centre of the lake and Gemil on the North.
The lake has an area of about 1000 square miles and covers what was formerly one of
the most fertile districts in Egypt, intersected in ancient times by three arms of the
Nile—the Pelusiac, Tanitic,and Mendesian. ‘The depth of the water is inconsiderable,
except near Gemil, which is connected with the Mediterranean by a narrow channel.
The southern end of the lake is marshy and much overgrown with rushes, &c.
The water is brackish, but at Gemil it is salt, whilst at the places where the Nile
water enters the lake it is almost fresh, so that in the same lake one finds both
fresh- and salt-water fish, and at least one species which can live in either. The bottom
consists of mud and sand, with large patches of a long ribbon-like weed called
“hummul” (Ruppia maritima). The lake is: dotted everywhere with islands “and
sand-banks. |
I made my headquarters at Ghet-el-Nassara, which is about 4 miles from Damietta,
and during a stay of 10 weeks I visited the other fishing-stations on the lake.
The conditions under which fishing takes place on the lakes have given rise to
methods not used on the Nile. A large net, known as a “shabak-el-habl,” and on
Lakes Borollos, Mareotis, and Edkou as an “ eddel-el-gafsha” or simply “ gafsha,” is
worked by a company of men, individual fishing being not much in vogue on the lakes:
d 2
XXV111 INTRODUCTION.
the fishes of chief commercial value being taken in long nets which require a number
of men to work them. ‘These fishes are the Grey Mullets, of which there are three
species, Bouri (Mugil cephalus), Tobar (M. capito), and Garan (M/. auratus).
The nets are usually about 3 metres wide and have a. mesh of 4 to # inch; they
vary considerably in length, often being about 100 metres long, whilst the largest
in use is 400 metres long and requires 80) men and boys to work it. Hach man
supplies a length. of 6 to 10 metres, these being joined together to form the
complete net. |
Fig. 8.
This sort of net is used in shallow water; it is coiled up in the stern of a large
fishing-boat in two equal portions, each resting on small rafts, generally made of the
dried stalks of reeds bound together, but’ sometimes of wood. When the boat is in
position the rafts are floated out at the ‘stern, one on each:side, and the net, which
is attached to the boat by a strong cord, is payed out in a semicircle (see diagram,
fig. 8, a). The top edge ‘is kept about 8 inches above the water by boys with short
sticks, as the mullets, especially Bouri, are excellent jumpers, and the lower edge is kept
down by leads (Pl:'D).. When about half the net has been payed out, several boats,
Hisccine: ie
Fishes of the Nile.
FISHING IN LAKE MENZALEH.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SIR JOHN ROGERS.
INTRODUCTION. XNIX
usually from 3 to 5, the number varying with the size of the net, which have taken up
their position some distance astern of the chief boat (see diagram, fig. 8, 6), commence
working towards the net with much shouting and beating of the water in order to
drive the fish in front of them. The boys and men working the net also keep up an
incessant shouting, the chief fisherman directing operations from the large boat.
When the net is all payed out the two ends are gradually brought together, the large
boat being poled ahead to keep the top edge of the net fairly taut. Directly the two
ends are closed, the boys holding up the net meet in the middle line and keep the two
edges close together (see diagram, fig. 5, é), preventing the fish from jumping out.
The net is then hauled on to the large boat, and after the contents have been shaken
out into the hold it is carefully coiled back on to the two rafts ready for use again.
; \ i jase
Won aa Tet !
eee Ae LES ] t
AT tit
Another net used on Lakes Menzaleh and Borollos is known as a “ tawansy,” which
is worked during the summer and until the end of the year and catches all kinds
of fish. The complete net is made up of sections, each about 20 metres long and
8 metres wide, and attached to about 50 sticks of dried reed-stalks ; the mesh is } of an
inch. When a likely spot has been chosen in fairly shallow water the men get out of
their boat and tow the bundles to the fishing-ground, and then quickly unrolling them
they thrust the sticks in the ground, placing the sections together until a subcircular
piece of water of about 150 metres circumference (diagram, fig. 9, @) has been enclosed,
about 2 metres of the net being above the surface of the water. There are usually
7 sections, of which the first is in the centre, the second, fourth, and sixth being
on the right and the third, fifth, and seventh on the left. ‘The fourth and fifth sections
are placed obliquely, at an angle of about 45 degrees, and outside each of these is
placed another section which floats on the water, being fastened to a number of dried
reeds like the rest. This floating net is called a “‘ sharrakat” (see diagram, fig. 9, 4).
When the net has been set out several men start from some distance off and advance
XXX INTRODUCTION.
towards it, shouting and beating the water so as to drive the fish into the enclosed
space, and then two men throw their casting-nets 2 or 3 times, not only capturing fish
but causing numbers to rush into the meshes of the “tawansy.” The Grey Mullets
are great jumpers, and the larger ones, which are too big to be caught in the meshes,
try to escape by leaping over the sections which have been set obliquely on purpose,
when they fall into the “ sharrakat ” which has been set outside.
Another ingenious sort of net used on some of the lakes and occasionally on the
Nile is ano by various names, being called an ‘“ eddet-el-na’ama” or simply
‘‘na’ama” on Lakes Borollos and Edkou, an ‘“ eddet-el-raffa’a”” on Lake Menzaleh and
Pies 8G,
ST SS seh aicsaitla
HE CEE EE Put
: ESCH 4 ct
ee een (sis Lien
a oct
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pepe tl ones ee el ise
at, Cairo, and “ mohotyar” at Kafr-el-Zayat. The method of working it is different on
the lakes and cn the Nile. The dimensions vary considerably : a typical one on Lake
Kdkou measured 150 metres in length and 1 metre in width and was composed of three
separate nets fastened together along both upper and lower edges, to which floats and
weights were respectively attached. The mesh of the outer nets is from 3 to 6 inches,
of the inner $ to 1 inch (diagram, fig. 10, a), the idea being that the fish in trying to
escape at passes. through the large mesh outer net, but is stopped by the small-
meshed inner one, which is looser than the outer ones, so that in struggling forward
he pushes it through the large mesh of the net on the other side and thus finds himself
caught in a pocket of his own making (see diagram, fig. 10,4). On the Nile the net is
Introduction. Pl. EB.
Fishes of the Nile.
— HAULING IN THE CATCH.
FISHING IN LAKE MENZALEH
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SIR JOHN ROGERS.
INTRODUCTION. Xxx1
worked in much the same way as an English drift-net; it is set well out in the river
and across the current (diagram 11), one end being fastened to the stern of the boat, the
other attached to a large float. The fisherman rows gently down-stream, keeping the
net fairly taut, so that the fish coming up-stream, as they generally do, get entangled
in it. On the Lakes it is payed out from the stern of a boat to enclose a semicircular
piece of water, and then the two ends are brought together and the net is dragged in
(see diagram 12), A stake-net, known on Lake Menzaleh as a ‘“‘hadan,” is used
Fig. 12.
ia
re ‘ :
3 4 3
ih :
to a small extent on some of the lakes and in the large pools near Rosetta. Some
seen at the latter place measured about 10 metres in length and 3-1 metre in width
and had a 3-inch mesh. Several of these nets are generally set together in a line in
shallow water where there is no stream, being fixed below the level of the water and
attached to thin sticks about 4 feet long and about 1 metre apart (diagram, fig. 13).
amt ne) Shey oe rear oss | emmy
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Eseel ee seeerie Seaceea
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The greater proportion of the fish taken on the lakes belong to the genus Mugil,
which the natives salt and convert into ‘‘fessikh.” One of the most interesting scenes
to be witnessed on Lake Menzaleh is the capture of the gravid females of the Bouri
(AZ. cephalus) during the breeding-season. ‘The males of this species are called “lebt ”
and the female “hut.” The best place to see these operations is at Gemil on the
North of the lake, which is connected with the sea by a narrow and fairly deep
XXX INTRODUCTION.
channel, which divides into two branches soon after entering the lake. During June
and July large numbers of fish make their way down these channels to the sea for the
purpose of depositing their ova.. In August there’is a marked: decrease, but I was
told that in September, when the Nile had risen and affected the lake, large quantities
of this species were taken full, of roe. \ The great object of the fishermen is to
intercept the shoals, and. everybody works as hard as possible. Two boats are
stationed, one in each channel, about a quarter of a mile from the outlet, in order to
give timely warning of the approaching shoals. When the fish are seen to be coming
down in any number a white fiag is hoisted on the boat, and the man on the look-out
at the fishing-station gives notice of the fact by loud shouts. In a moment the place
is Im an uproar, twenty-five or thirty men and boys dash through the water and
scramble into a boat which is kept ready with all the gear on board (Pl. E). This is
rapidly propelled up the channel by means of poles, five or six men a side, whilst
everyone shouts and calls on Allah and the prophet. In the wake and at the sides of
the boat may be seen several porpoises, which know from past experience that all this
excitement means a meal of their favourite fish. The porpoises may be seen in
numbers day and night, playing about near the entrance to the lake and up the
channels. ‘The fishermen consider that they help to frighten back the fish and there
is a law against destroying them, notwithstanding the number of mullet that they eat.
As soon as the shoal is reached the greatest excitement prevails, some of the men
leap into the water and drag out the net in a circle to enclose as much of the shoal as
possible, others hold the top edge of the net high out of the water to prevent the
frightened fish leaping over, most of them having to tread water to accomplish this,
as it is fairly deep. ‘The man in charge shouts advice from the boat, but as everyone
else is doing the same, very little attention is paid to him. Numbers of fish jump the
net, but the porpoises are on the look-out and hunt them in every direction. As soon
as the two ends of the net are brought together it is hauled in and the catch shot into
the hold. On the occasion when I went out the catch was small, but vast numbers
are sometimes taken at one haul.
Another important fishing-station which I visited is Matariyeh, which is situated on
the end of a peninsula running out into the middle of the lake. Nearly the whole
population is engaged in the fishing-industry and from their isolated position have
little intercourse with the outside world. The fishermen are ofa different stamp to
those who work on the Nile, being very independent in their manner and suspicious
of strangers. Various rumours had, been spread as to the reason of my visit, one
being that I had come to buy the fishing on behalf of an English company, and every
obstacle was thrown in my way until I had gained the confidence of one of the chief
natives interested i in the fisheries, a fairly well-educated Arab named Shalaby Shenouie.
This man was of great assistance to me and often accompanied ‘me on my excursions
on the lake and introduced me to the various fishing-parties, and this, with the gift of
INTRODUCTION. XXXill
a few cigarettes, which were a great luxury to these men, made matters run quite
smoothly. After leaving Lake Menzaleh I proceeded to Samannud, a large town
situated on the left bank of the Damietta branch of the Nile and nearly halfway
between that town and Cairo. I stayed there three weeks, but without important
results, as I arrived at the time when the Nile reaches its lowest level in this part of
Egypt, and it was on the 14th of July that I noticed the first perceptible rise. ‘The
common species of the Nile were fairly well represented ; some others, such as Ra/ash,
Fahaka, and Annuma, appear during the flood, but Polypterus bichir is very rarely
taken at any period of the year. At this place the modes of fishing are those used
elsewhere on the Nile, night-fishing being much in vogue. I saw an ingenious device
when working the big “ gouraffa,” stiff round balls of mud being used as weights
instead of lead; these are placed in the slack at the bottom
of the net and being slung over the rope rest in a kind
of pocket (diagram 14). Weights of this kind are very
effective, as they keep the net well at the bottom, put little
strain on it when it is being hauled in, and can easily be
renewed.
Some of the men adopted a curious mode of ground-baiting. <A basket full of dry mud
from the bank of the river is broken up into small lumps and then worked up with
water into a thick paste, to which some flour is added, the sweepings of a flour-mill
doing very well. ‘The whole is formed into round balls, each with a large hole, which
is filled with flour and then covered over with a layer of paste. Smaller holes are
made all over the lump with the tips of the fingers, these are likewise filled with
flour, and the whole is then smoothed over and dusted with flour. Itis then placed
in shallow running water, which slowly washes away the paste and sets free the flour:
This is carried down-stream and attracts the fish, which follow up the scent, so to
speak, until they reach the source of this unusual supply of food. ‘The fisherman
waits for an hour or more after he has deposited the bait, and then returning to the
spot which he has marked casts his circular net, often taking many fish of good size.
From Samannud I proceeded to the Barrage, where I stayed a fortnight, during
which I received every assistance from Mr. Brooke, the engineer in charge.
The most interesting feature here was the eagerness of the fish to meet the first
rush of the inundation-water as it came through the sluices. Aware of this habit,
the fishermen had obtained permission from the engineer to have one of the gates
lowered about 9 inches below the surface of the water, thus allowing a steady stream
to rush through but not sufficient to cause a turmoil in the water below. Here large
numbers of fish were taken at a single cast, and after being allowed to rest for half an
hour the place was fished again. The commonest species taken here were Shal,
Bessariya, Shilbe, Widnah, and Rhy, sometimes Annuma and Bana. In the Rosetta
e
XXXIV INTRODUCTION.
branch below the barrage large numbers of Widnah (Silwranodon) were taken, this
being the first time I found this fish at all common. |
After leaving the barrage my original scheme was modified, and instead of remaining
in the Delta during the flood it was thought advisable to work at some place above the
barrage during that period, returning to the lakes later on. Accordingly I started
work at the town of Beni Souef in the beginning of August. Unfortunately the
rise was a very bad one, the level reached at the end of August being 2 metres lower
than in the year preceding. This accounted for the rather meagre results obtained,
examples of only twenty-five different species being collected. After the so-called false
rises are over and the Nile commences to rise properly, there are still temporary
checks of short duration, and, according to the fishermen, these have an effect both
on the number and variety of the fishes obtained. This applies especially to the fish
of the genus Mormyrus and its allies, which are always more numerous directly after
a fresh rise.
Fig. 15.
=i
BES ee see ay es es 2
The methods employed here are the gouraffa, foul-hooking, and the casting-net, but
at the regulators which control the supply of water from the large canals to the smaller
ones a net is used known as a “shilbe,” which is set below the regulator to catch the
fish which are carried through in the rush of water. It is a pocket-shaped net about
18 feet long (see diagram, fig. 15, a), with a 3-inch mesh near the mouth and a 4-inch
mesh at the bottom. It is attached to a strong wooden frame, and the whole is
kept in place by strong ropes (fig. 15, 6), fastened to the masonry on each side of the
regulator. It is hauled out and emptied about every half-hour.
Trips were made to various places, including Wasta, 30 miles to the north, and
Bibeh, 25 miles to the south. ‘Towards the end of September I left Beni Souef for
the province of the Fayum, which is situated in the Libyan desert and is an oasis
celebrated for its great fertility, due entirely to the Bahr Yusuf (Joseph’s Canal), a
channel about 200 miles long, which leaves the Nile near Assiut and flows through
a natrow opening in the Libyan hills into the Fayum, where it breaks up into
numerous branches, some of which discharge their superfluous water, during flood-
time, into the Birket Karun, a large lake in the north-west of the province.
INTRODUCTION. XXXV
_ The chief town is called Medinet-el-Fayum, and is built near the site of the ancient
city of Crocodilopolis-Arsinoé. Here I spent a few days making arrangements for
work at the Lake, as the railway only runs as far as Abuksah, which is about 7 miles
from the lake, necessitating the use of camels to transport the heavy baggage. ‘The
water of the Birket Karun is brackish and in some places unfit to drink. The lake
measures at the present day about 35 miles by 6; it lies about 130 feet below the
level of the sea and has an average depth of about 13 feet, although, according to some
of the fishermen, it is almost ‘“ bottomless” in places.
In former times it had a much larger area, and according to recent calculations was
once 70 feet above the level of the Mediterranean, and was used as a reservoir for the
surplus water of the inundation, which could be used later for purposes of irrigation.
The water is generally shallow near the edge, and reeds are abundant at the places
where the fresh water enters.
F Bai 16.
The methods of fishing in general use are various, the most important being the
“ shazl-el-farkh,” a net composed of pieces of about 40 feet in length and 4 in width
with a 4-inch mesh, the floats being hollow cylindrical pieces of wood and the weights
rings of pottery (see diagram, fig. 16). This net is chiefly used for catching big
“ Leffash ” (Lates niloticus) and is worked by a company of men each of whom supplies
a length; after the day’s work is over the net is usually taken to pieces, each length
being washed and dried by its proprietor. Sometimes as many as 80 lengths are
joined together.
Another of these long nets with a 24-inch mesh is known as the “ ghazl-el-bolti’
and is chiefly used for catching fish called Bolti (Tilapia). Both these nets are
sometimes denoted by a number, this representing the number of meshes in a “ dirrah,”?
z.e. the length from elbow to the tips of the fingers X that from tips of the fingers to
the knuckle. These nets are used in much the same way as on the Delta, a large
piece of water being surrounded and the net hauled on to the boat or on shore.
A third net, the “ ghazl-el-rhy,” used for catching various kinds of small fish, has
é2
XXXVi1 INTRODUCTION.
an average length of 150 feet, with a width of 3 feet and a l-inch mesh. This net is
used in shallow water and is either set up by means of stakes, with about 9 inches of
the net showing above the water, or else without stakes, except one at each end, when
: 6b
the top line is held up by means of wooden floats. In each case rings of pottery are
used as weights (fig. 17, a). ‘The net when seen from above is arranged as in fig. 17, 0.
The “ gourrafa” or ‘ ghazl-el-dowar” differs from the net called by the former name
on the Nile in having a pocket in the middle. It is about 100 metres long and
Fig. 18.
24 wide with a #-inch mesh, the mesh of the pocket being smaller. Wooden floats
and lead weights are used and a long and strong rope is attached to each end of the
net. It is worked in the usual way (fig. 18), a large piece of water being enclosed
INTRODUCTION, XXXVU
and then the two ends brought together and the net hauled in by the long ropes.
The position of the pocket is indicated by a large float, which enables the men to keep
it in the right position.
In the streams which enter the lake two sorts of traps are used for catching fish.
The one called a “gawaby” is cone-shaped and made of the dried stalks of reeds
lashed together (fig. 19). It has two openings so arranged that when the fish pass
through the smaller one they are unable to find their way out again. At the other end
the reeds are fastened together by a cord, which can be easily undone and the catch
shaken out. A loose barrier is built across the stream so as to allow the water to pass
down, but to check the passage of the fish up-stream. The traps are placed in
openings in this barrier, and the fish coming up-stream to meet the fresh water force
their way through the openings into the traps (diagram 20).
Fig. 19.
The other trap is very ingenious, but one may spend hours watching it with very
small results. It is known asa “ ganoon” (diagr. 21), or, more correctly, “‘ anoon,”
and is a net in the form of a pocket, about 2 metres in length and with a $-inch mesh.
Part of the mouth is fastened to a pole, the butt end of which rests on the bank.
The net can be raised or lowered into the water by means of a cord attached to the
Fig. 20.
further end of the pole and kept in position by another cord. A cord of fine
twine runs across the mouth of the net, to which are attached other pieces about
6 inches apart, which, hanging down vertically, are attached to the submerged edge of
the mouth of the net: this cord is held in the hand when the net is in the water. A.
small dam is built out in the water, about 5 yards above the net, causing the stream,
XXXV1li INTRODUCTION.
_after striking the outer end of the dam, to swirl round towards the mouth of the net.
Any fish passing into the net is almost certain to touch one of the pieces of twine, and
the vibration is conveyed to the man holding the main cord, who quickly raises
the net. | |
The Birket Karun is noted for its large Perch, Lates niloticus. I am indebted to
Mr. Joseph, who was engaged on the light railways in the Fayum, for the following
data regarding a specimen taken at the beginning of the year:—Weight 140 lbs.,
length 1 metre 40 cm., girth 1 metre. |
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Fishes of the genus Z?lapia, called ‘ Bolti,” are abundant and often attain a large
size. ‘They are excellent eating when freshly caught and cooked on hot wood-ashes ;
the flesh of those caught in the brackish lakes is firmer and of better flavour than of
those caught in the Nile. According to the fishermen, in winter time the fish swims
nearer to the surface for the sake of the warmth afforded by the sun, and consequently
more and larger fish are taken at this period of the year than in summer.
After leaving the Birket Karun I stopped for a short time at Lahun, on the Bahr
Yusuf, where the commoner Nile species are fairly abundant, especially during the
late part of the year. The fishermen here told me of a species of “ Shal” (Synodontis)
called by them “Shal rumie,” of which only one or two specimens were caught in a
season. This was described as having the under side of the body black and the rest
white. A fish with the same characteristics was called ‘“‘Shal gemel” by the Cairo
fishermen, who said it was of very rare occurrence. I never saw one in the flesh from
this district, but should think, from the description, that 1t would be Synodontis
INTRODUCTION. XXX1X
membranaceus or S. batensoda, which in the Soudan goes by the name of “ gargour
gelarby ” or simply “ gelarby.”
At one of the regulators on the Bahr Yusuf the fishermen used a rather novel method
of catching fish. A small-meshed net is loosely fastened across a framework of wood,
from the corners of which run cords which are attached to a single stout cord for the
purpose of lowering or raising the net (fig. 22, a). The whole apparatus is called a
“natat,” and it is suspended just below the regulator about a foot below the surface of
the water at the place where it rushes out of the sluice (fig. 22, 6). Fishes trying to
force their way up-stream often jump clean out of the water, just as Salmon do in
England, and not infrequently fall back into the ‘“ natat,” which has been conveniently
placed for that purpose.
Fig. 22.
innzew an LEE
VA, Zi Lede fi Z
After leaving Lahun I visited two or three other canlas, but these yielded nothing
of interest, and towards the end of October I returned to the lakes of the Delta, Edkou
being first visited, and afterwards Borollos. Lake Maryut or Mareotis was next visited,
but yielded only meagre results, as very little fishing takes place there in comparison
with the other lakes.
In November I found myself at Kafr-el-Zayat, on the ‘* Rosetta ” Nile, about halfway
between that town and Cairo. The modes of fishing and the species caught were
similar to those of other places on the river, except that the “‘ zarema,” lines of baited
hooks, are more in favour here than in other places. On the big canals near the town
I noticed three forms of hand-net in use. The “shilb” (not to be confused with a
totally different kind of net of the same name used at the regulators in Upper Egypt)
consists of a purse-like net with {-inch mesh, attached to a couple of light sticks, each
about 10 feet long, which are fastened together in a V-shape to a short handle of wood
xl INTRODUCTION.
(see fig. 23, a). A loose cord is fastened to the ends of the V and held in the left
hand, while the short handle is held in the right, the net is thrust nearly vertically
into the water and pushed along, and raised by means of the cord; consequently any
fish that may be enclosed falls back into the net. The “luafa” (fig. 23, 0) is used in
the same way.
The third form of hand-net is also known as a “‘luafa” (fig. 23, c), and is used at
various places on the Delta. It differs from the “shilb” in having the V-shaped
Fig. 23.
piece strengthened by a cross-bar, to which the cord for raising the net is attached. It
is sometimes worked from the prow of a boat which is stopped at likely spots near the
river-bank. |
_ The next district to be worked was the stretch of river running between Assiut and
Assuan, for which purpose I hired a small fishing-boat, the middle portion of which
was covered over with canvas, making a fairly comfortable dining-, bed-, and work-
room combined. ‘The crew, which consisted of three men, combined a maximum of
sleep with a minimum of work.
Before starting, I spent ten days fishing in the immediate neighbourhood of Assiut,
and made one expedition of quite an exciting nature. The objective was a fair-sized
INTRODUCTION. xhi
pond or “ birket ” left by the receding Nile in some cultivated land near the edge of.
the desert, about 6 miles from Abu Tig. This was reported to be swarming with fish,
as it had not been worked for a whole year, owing to the hostility of the fellaheen in
the neighbourhood, who complained of the damage done to their crops near the pond
by the fishermen on a former occasion, and added “ that if anyone came again to fish
in their ‘ birket’ they would resist to the utmost.” The Multazzim of Assiut thought
that as I was working in the district it would be a good opportunity to have another
try at the “ birket,” but suggested that a mounted policeman had better go with us, in
case of any disturbance. ‘The Multazzims of two other important fishing-stations in
the neighbourhood were informed of the plan and told to collect as many fishermen as
possible and to meet us at the appointed place on the following morning. I went to
Abu Tig overnight by train, with the Multazzim of Assiut, and early in the morning
we set out and arrived at the meeting-place after riding about two hours over rough
ground, picking up our mounted policeman on the way. Our arrival, and the
appearance of about 200 fishermen, caused a considerable amount of consternation in
the villages nea¥, and resulted in a large number of fellaheen collecting at the spot.
The sheikh of the village was interviewed and told that the fishermen would be
prevented as much as possible from damaging the crops, and he in turn explained this
to the people of the village, when a great deal of chatter ensued. I now thought we
might get to business, but was informed that a very important matter must first be
settled, viz., how the money resulting from the sale of the catch was to be divided.
As this seemed likely to prove rather a lengthy affair, | suggested an adjournment to
some place comparatively quiet and shady, as the sun was becoming rather warm.
The three Multazzims, with their clerks and the head fishermen, formed the conference,
whilst about fifty fishermen were hanging about outside the magic circle, not only
jabbering incessantly among themselves, but pouring in a continual volley of advice.
The members of the conference argued, quarrelled, and expostulated, whilst every
now and then one of the Multazzims would threaten to withdraw himself and his men,
which, needless to say, he had no intention of doing, After about twenty minutes,
during which everyone talked at the same time, matters appeared to be satisfactorily
arranged; meanwhile one set of men, who had already started work, were attacked
with stones by another set, and a free fight ensued, from which resulted not a few
broken heads. Peace was restored by the help of the mounted policeman and a few
of the more orderly fishermen, atid everyone set to work with a will. Nets were
dragged from one end of the porid to the other, and by 8 o’clock in the evening twenty
camel-loads of fish had been taken out, mostly small “Labiss” (Zadeo niloticus), generally
called ‘* Bisera” by the Arabs. As the supply of camels ran short, the last haul of fish
was left fastened up in the net, and some men remained behind to guard it, but during
the night, as | afterwards heard, the net was raided by the fellaheen and quantities of fish
stolen. At nine o’clock I had had about enough of it and made my way to the river,
B:
xlil INTRODUCTION,
where a boat laden with the catch was waiting to take me back to Assiut, which was
reached close on midnight,
After leaving Assiut I stopped at Sohag, Akhmim, Girgeh, Nag Hamadeh, and
Ma’abdeh, at each of which I visited the halagers. Three weeks were spent at Assuan,
which I reached on December 25th, and at Shellal, which is situated at the head of
the First Cataract,
@
en ae Sian eet en
eee
In the cataract a method of catching fish known to the Arabs as “cower” is used,
and is said to be a very ancient one; it consists of a series of low stone enclosures
with narrow entrances facing down-stream (diagram, fig. 24), and usually divided into
two or three compartments, each with a narrow entrance set in line erected in the bed
of the river. The various chambers are V-shaped, and so arranged that the water
passes through them and even in places over their walls, so that it is very difficult, if
not impossible, for fish to force their way up-stream except at the entrances to the
enclosures, which seem to promise every facility for this feat. Once inside the first
INTRODUCTION. xliii
chamber the fish, still making their way upward, get into the second or third chamber
as the case may be, after which return is almost out of the question. The enclosures
are visited every two or three hours and the fish removed, or, if not immediately
required, placed in one of the chambers, the entrance of which is closed with a
stone.
In some of the pools of the cataract district I tried, but with little result, the effect
on the fish of the explosive gelegnite, which was ee in blasting the granite .
for the barrage.
On January 12th, 1900, I left Shellal on a sort of house-boat, “ dhahabiyeh,” in order
to work the river between the First Cataract and Wady Halfa, which is situated at the
tail of the Second Cataract, a distance of about 200 miles. In this reach the conditions
are somewhat different from those found north of Assuan, where rocks are almost
entirely absent and the river-bed is composed of sandy mud. South of Assuan rocks
are abundant and in places rise to a considerable height out of the water, whilst at
low Nile the numerous sand-banks make navigation difficult. The banks of the river
are steeper and the mud from the river-bed contains a larger proportion of sand than
is the case north of Assuan. Cultivation is reduced to a minimum, and the desert
often reaches the water’s edge, where the only green thing visible is a narrow broken
fringe of thorny mimosa. ‘The date-palm flourishes throughout the whole of this
district, especially near Ibrim, which produces dates of excellent quality. The
population is small, fishermen are scarce, and good fishing-grounds rare, on account of
the rocks, so that the fisheries in this district are unimportant.
Collections were made at Debud Abu Hor, Mirrwau, El Maharraka, Korosko,
Derr, Ibrim, Anebi, Abaad, Fergund, Abu Simbel, Belanya, and Wady Halfa. At
Derr the first new species was obtained on January 81st, and during a fortnight’s stay
at Wady Halfa a second species was added to the list. A rather ingenious dodge for
catching large fish such as Bagrus bayad was seen near Korosko. The modus operandi
was to drive in a stout stake close to the water’s edge, near the top of which a small
bell is hung, whilst below it was attached the fishing-line baited with a small fish.
The struggle of any fish that happened to get hooked, not a very common occurrence,
causes the bell to tinkle, when the owner, who has been fishing along the bank with
his casting-net, rushes to the spot and hauls in his line.
From Wady Halfa I proceeded by train to Kosheh, a small village about 120 miles
to the south, the journey taking nearly ten hours. Kosheh is composed of a few mud
huts, but has a station and a telegraph-office, whilst portions of the old military
buildings are still standing and made fairly comfortable quarters, although, being con-
structed of sun-dried mud bricks they got rather warm towards the afternoon. The
only really unpleasant feature was that the place was infested with swarms of common
house-flies, which I have never before seen in such numbers, not even in Egypt.
Fishermen were non-existent in this part of the world, and I had to send to Wady
f2
xliv INTRODUCTION.
Halfa for one and to Dongola for another, whilst a third was procured after I had been
at Kosheh about ten days. The Nile here, as elsewhere between Wady Halfa and
Abu Hamed, a distance of about 600 miles, is full of rocks and rapids, and we had to
confine operations to the use of the casting-net only. The best results were obtained
in the pools left by the receding Nile, especially in the vicinity of the cataracts, in
one of which a new fish was obtained, unfortunately represented only by a single
example, which proved to be the type of a new genus, named Andersonia, after the
late Dr. John Anderson, who took so much interest in promoting the Nile Fish
Survey. |
After a month at Kosheh I moved to the large island of Arko, about 20 miles north
of Dongola. From Kosheh to Kermeh, the railway-terminus, is about 100 miles,
and from thence to Arko I had to go by boat. Arko is the largest island in the Nile,
at any rate between Wady Halfa and Omdurman, being 16 miles long and having an
average width of 3 miles, whilst it is one of the most fertile spots in this district.
From here I visited Hannek, on the Third Cataract. After spending three weeks at
Arko I was glad to move on, as the heat (often 115° Fahr. in the shade), combined
with the frequent dust- and sand-storms, was very unpleasant. Accordingly I rode to
Dongola, where I waited two days for the post-boat, my destination being Korti.
However, on account of the low state of the Nile I could get no further than Debbeh,
so I had to ride the remaining 45 miles, my baggage being taken on camels.
Korti is a straggling place near the river, where I found quarters in the now-
deserted infantry-barracks, which are extensive, the ruins forming hiding-places for
a number of foxes.
- Korti, uike Arko and Kosheh, yielded little of interest. Fish were scarce and fisher-
men scarcer, Dongola being the only place in this district with halagers and Multazzims.
Fortunately I had an excellent fisherman with me. From Korti to Abu Hamed,
186 miles, I went on camels, this taking 9 days, as baggageeanimals only accomplish
about 24 miles an hour. I reached Abu Hamed on June 6 and then went to Cairo for
a short holiday. In August I returned to Assuan, and the Nile being in full flood
fishing was restricted to the use of the casting-net, by which numerous specimens were
obtained. Vast numbers of a small species (Alestes nurse), called ‘‘Sardeena” by the
Arabs, appeared, especially at a place 3 miles north of the cataract. These are
roughly preserved with salt and packed in small casks, and are eaten by the natives
with great relish.
At the beginning of September the Nile had fallen low enough for the use of drag-
nets. On October 4th I left Assuan for Luxor, collecting on the way at Deran and
Edfu. At Luxor I obtained many rare and interesting fish, Hydrocyon brevis was
abundant, this being the first time I had seen examples of this species, although a few
had been obtained some distance further north by a previous collector. I was at Luxor
during the emptying of one of the large irrigation-basins, and to this I attribute my
INTRODUCTION, xlv
wood fortune. These basins are large areas enclosed by embankments and at flood-time
are filled with water by means of regulators or sluices set in the irrigation-canals. After
the silt has been deposited, the water is run off into canals, which take it back to the Nile,
and it is while this water is being discharged that the fishermen set their nets, already
described, at the regulators. In less than three weeks J had obtained over 500 specimens,
when my work was interrupted by a bad attack of ophthalmia, which necessitated my
going to Cairo for treatment; but I left my servants and the boat at Luxor, with instrue-
tions to go on collecting, so that by the middle of November over 300 specimens were
added. By the beginning of December I was sufficiently recovered to start work again,
my scheme being to work the White Nile from Omdurman to Lake No, a little over
600 miles, I hired a large “ nuggar ” (boat) at Omdurman for six months, with a “rais”
(captain), a crew of six men, and a black woman to cook their food; a companion
(Mr. D, Gunn) and myself completing the party. Provisions for six months for the whole
party had to be taken. We set sail on December 31st, 1900, The “ nuggar ” was 36 ft,
long and 19 broad, turtle-shaped, built of stout planks of “ sunt,” a hard and heavy
wood of great durability found up the Nile, spiked together. ‘Lhe fore part and stern
were decked over. Amidships was a short strong mast carrying a long slender spar,
built in sections, to which a large triangular sail was attached. ‘he ropes and gear
were made from the leaves of the Dom palm and were neither strong nor durable, as
I had good cause to know before the journey was over, and it was a wonder that we
got through without serious accidents. I believe that some of the large sailing-boats
at Omdurman have hempen ropes. Near the stern of the boat was erected a sort of
hut, made of native mats on a wooden framework, with a window fore and aft for
purposes of ventilation and also to let the man at the helm see the course he was
steering, It was found necessary to cut more windows as the weather grew warmer.
Beneath this cabin the men’s rations and other perishable articles were stored. In the
fore part was another small mat structure, called the ‘‘ kitchen,” in which a cooking-
range was patched up with Nile mud and pieces of iron; this answered fairly well with
the exception of an occasional collapse, which a little fresh mud soon rectified.
The crew were rather a mixed lot; the captain, an Arab polite in manner and very
religious, turned out to be more or less useless and untrustworthy; his brother, whom
we nicknamed the ‘* Mad Mullah,” was very irritable and given to cataleptic trances ;
the chief boatman, an Arab, was the best all-round man of the crew and could turn his
hand to anything ; the chief steersman was not unlike an East Indian in appearance, tall,
thin, and silent, ‘The rest of the crew were Soudanese—one a man of herculean build,
who looked back with regret to the days of the Khalifa, when stealing cattle and women
was a favourite pastime ; whilst another was noted for the great quantities of “ marissa,”
a drink made from fermented “ dourra,” he could consume at a sitting. I intended to
reach Lake No first and then work north, thus keeping ahead of the rains, which
commence in that region about the beginning of March, and getting help from the
xlvi INTRODUCTION.
south winds which begin to blow at that period of the year. During the journey up
we stopped at Shederah, Mangara, Goz Shebesha, Kawa, Nur-ed-Daim, and Goz abu
Gumah, either on account of contrary winds or to tie the boat up for the night. At
each of these we collected fish, either by the casting-net or by using baited hooks at
night. The latter method gave excellent results, and at Goz abu Gumah Mr. Gunn
caught the first example of a new species of Synodontis (see p. 369). Between
Omdurman and Goz abu Gumah the Nile is broad, with low flat shores swarming
with ducks, geese, cranes, and waders; the banks are in parts covered with large areas
of low bush, but large trees are rare, and many have been cut down for fuel. We
noticed numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats feeding along the banks. Very few fisher-
men were seen in this part of the river, but further south the Dinkas and especially the
Shilluks devote a good deal of time to spearing fish. At Goz abu Gumah the sudd
vegetation begins, and large tracts of grass appear by the river, the finest on the west
bank, and on the east heavy grass with a few trees. The river narrows to about 900
yards in width. The papyrus commences about 15 miles further south, and here
crocodiles become numerous. The natives of the west bank are Shilluks, whose
country extends from near Goz abu Gumah to within 60 miles of Lake No. On the
east bank are the Dinkas, whose country stretches from near Gebel Ain to the Sobat
River, on the other side of which are the Nuers.
Fig. 25.
Two kinds of spears are used for fishing: one is bow-shaped, made of a long thin
piece of wood bent into the required form, from 12-14 ft. in length (see fig. 25). To
one end a line is attached, at the other end of the line is fastened a wooden peg in
which a barbed piece of iron is fixed; this peg is let into the shaft hollowed out to
receive it. Ifa large fish is speared the peg becomes detached and allows the fisher-
man to use the shaft as a rod, playing the fish untilitis exhausted. This form of spear
is used in shallow water, or in deeper water when fishing from a canoe. In the latter
case, if a large fish is speared, the shaft is dropped into the water, when the peg is
detached and thus acts as a float, preventing the fish from going deep and also showing
its whereabouts. ‘There are two men in the canoe, one paddles and the other attends
to the fish. On one occasion we came across two Shilluks following a fish, which we
were told had been speared in the early morning but was not sufficiently exhausted for
them to be sure of landing it, which they hoped to do before nightfall. The spear is
used by grasping it in the middle with the hands wide apart, then drawn back and
INTRODUCTION, xlvii
quickly plunged obliquely through the water ahead, letting go with the left hand and
allowing it to run through the right hand until the end is reached.
The other spear has a straight shaft and a long narrow pointed head of iron, either
smooth or barbed. This is only used in shallow water, or amongst the reeds and in
swamps. In open water the man throws it a little way in front as he walks along on
the chance of striking a fish, or he may try to stalk one, getting as near as possible
before throwing his spear, In fishing amongst the reeds the man walks along,
thrusting in here and there on the chance of striking something.
Every Shilluk carries a spear, often two, 7. ¢. a fishing-spear and a fighting-spear,
the latter often a fine weapon, with strong straight shaft and a long, narrow, highly
polished blade, Many adorn the shaft with a tuft of black ostrich-feathers.
The only other method of fishing I saw on the White Nile was making a dam across
the mouth of a kore, when the Nile is going down and the water is running out of
the kores and the big fish are making for the river, as the kores become shallow and
Fig. 26,
isolated from the main stream, many even drying up. Jn this dam traps are set, made
of dried reeds, about 7 ft. long and the diameter of opening 2 ft. Inside isa much
smaller opening, so that fish passing in are unable to return (see fig. 26, a), This trap
is also used in the Fayum, where it is called a ‘“‘gawaby.” Fig, 26, 6, shows a kore
and the main stream with traps set. Sometimes several villages combine and fish a
kore. Kores are very abundant in the Kaka district, and are depressions which may
run miles inland or parallel to the river ; some wind about in an extraordinary fashion,
some are connected with the Nile all the year round. Some have the banks covered
with a dense growth of rushes, others are quite overgrown except for a pool here and
there. Sometimes the shores are flat and free from vegetation, and this, combined with
shallow water, makes a good fishing-ground. One or two of this nature at Fashoda
which were partly dried up yielded excellent results.
At one fishing-party on the east bank of the White Nile, near the mouth of the
Sobat R., nearly 200 men and boys, Shilluks, took part. The mouth of the kore was
xl viii INTRODUCTION,
dammed to prevent the fish escaping, and then the men entered the water and began
moving towards the other end in extended order, shouting and plunging their spears
(straight ones) into the water in front of them. The chief object was to drive the
fish into the clumps of vegetation dotted about near the swampy banks, and when
one was reached’ they spread ‘out in a’ semicircle (see Pl. F), gradually drawing
together as they neared the clump of rushes, which -was surrounded, when the whole
party worked their way towards the middle, plying the spears more. vigorously and
shouting louder until the clump had been thoroughly speared through. . Notwithstanding
the excitement and energy with which the spears: were employed no one seemed to
receive any injury. When the end of the kore had been reached they commenced to
work back again in canoes, two men in each, one to paddle and the other to fish with
the bow-shaped spear. The party worked in extended order. The canoes were simply
dug-outs made from the trunk of the Dom palm, 10-15 feet in length.
The catch was small considering the number of men employed. I noticed severil
medium-sized Polypterus senegalus and a few large Clarias. 'The entire absence of
quarrelling and prevalent good-humour was a striking feature, and in marked contrast
to what is usual where Arabs are concerned. |
On another occasion a large party collected to fish a kore at Kaka, 70 miles N.
of Fashoda; it was composed of Shilluks and Dinkas, with some women of the
former tribe. The men, using the bow-shaped spear, moved up the
kore in extended order (Pl. F) and the women followed with
large cup-shaped wicker baskets open at both ends, which they
kept on thrusting into the water down to the bottom, on the
chance of enclosing a fish, which could be removed by putting
the arm through the small hole at one end, just large enough for
this purpose (fig. 27).
I have occasionally seen this basket used in Egypt, but never as a serious method
of catching fish. Other women used a rough kind of net with large mesh, made of
twisted fibre, about 3 yards long and 2 wide, attached to two poles, one woman to each
pole. It was held obliquely and pushed along the bottom, being lifted up every now
and then. The method of spearing fish is very picturesque, but not very efficient.
Time 1s no object, however, among these people, and it does not matter whether a man
spends half a day or a whole day in providing for his supper.
If any native is seen by chance using a rod and line on the White Nile, the idea has
been taken from the Arabs, as hooks are unknown to the natives.
reached Fashoda on January 18th, 1901, and Lake No on the 28th. After leaving
Goz abu Gumah the vegetation on the river-banks became dense, and a fringe of forest
marked the higher ground. The river winds through reedy islands and masses of swamp-
grass. ‘The “serut” fly now makes its appearance; it is about three times the size
of a house-fly and has a very sharp bite: the mosquito appears at night. The forest
Fishes of the Nile
|
{ t
fia
| \
FISHING
AT THE MOUTH OF THE SOBAT.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MR. L. LOAT,
Introduction. Pl.
ent.
; ee
noe aie.
ye
INTRODUCTION. xlix
became thicker, villages disappeared, and, as we proceeded south, we passed many
large islands fringed with reeds.
At Kaka and on to Fashoda, about 70 miles, villages were fairly numerous on the
left bank: in front of them a belt of swamp extends, varying in width from a few
hundred yards to a mile or more. Landing is difficult anywhere and at places
impossible. The fort and village of Fashoda are situated on a rising piece of ground,
between which and the river is a kore, whilst even the dry land becomes a morass in
the rainy season. Fever is prevalent and mosquitos numerous. From Fashoda to
Lake No the country is dreary and desolate; the river-side consists of swamps, marshes,
and sudd, whilst trees are rare. At Lake No the boat was tied to the bank opposite
the mouth of the Bahr-el-Gebel. At this season part of the land to the north of the
lake was dry and covered with tall grass 12 ft. high extending nearly to the river-
bank. By firing this we cleared a space for the boat and gave my fisherman a chance
of getting to the water's edge to use his net. At night we fished with lines, and some
interesting fish were obtained in tow-nets, made of “bolting cloth,” which were set
in the stream. One was the type of the new genus Cromeria, named in honour of
Lord Cromer. During a stay of six weeks at Lake No I added 200 specimens to the
collection. On March dth we began the return journey, but made slow progress owing
to contrary winds. After drifting to Tonga we got towed by a steamer to Tewfikyeh,
a small station on the right bank, 6 miles N. of the R. Sobat. This was once the
residence of the ‘“‘ Mudir” or Governor of the district, which has now been removed to
Fashoda. After sailing or drifting another 60 miles we reached Fashoda and stayed
there three weeks. Here I found two Arab fishermen who were acquainted with the
use of a “ gouraffa.” These with my own fisherman and some of the boatmen formed
a party large enough to work the “gouraffa” I had brought with me. We took
many fish by its means in the kores near Fashoda, adding nearly 400 to the collection
(fig. 29, p. li, my fishing-boat at Fashoda). We next stopped at Gharb-el-Aish,
where a partially dried-up kore yielded excellent results. We stopped a short time
at Goz abu Gumah, but collected nothing of interest, and reached Omdurman on
May 18th. After fishing here for a fortnight my first expedition to the Soudan was
brought to a close. My companion, Mr. D. Gunn, had been very kind in attending
any men who were sick with fever, &c., and also in providing the party with fresh
meat whenever it was possible to land.
In the beginning of June 1901 I left Omdurman for Cairo, on my way to England for
25 months’ leave. I returned to Cairo in September and after completing the necessary
arrangements went to Omdurman, leaving there on October Ist for the Blue Nile. The
first collecting-place was Wad Medine, a large town on the right bank, 147 miles south
of Khartum. On account of the height of the river little fishing was going on, so
atter a fortnight’s stay I went on by steamer to Rosaires, 280 miles further south, where
the river had now fallen considerably. Unlike the White Nile, with its low swampy
U3
] INTRODUCTION,
banks covered with dense vegetation, the banks of the Blue Nile are generally high
and steep, more or less covered with bush after Wad Medine, whilst a strong current
runs during high Nile. Rosaires is a small military station on the right bank near the
tail of the Seventh and last Cataract. A large island opposite formed a convenient
fishing-ground. I left there on my return journey at sunrise on November 20th, sailing
in company with Bimbashi Done, R.E. On our way back we stopped at Bunzuga, to
visit a swamp some way inland, which turned out to be so overgrown with vegetation
that fishing was impossible. The natives told us that in three months’ time the grass
died down and then fishing with spears took place. At Karkoj I visited another swamp
of the same kind. Here a few natives were spearing fish in a small muddy pool,
all caught being “Armut” (Clarias lazera). The spear used (fig. 28) was straight,
but had a separate head with cord attachment, as in the bow-shaped spear described
above (p. xlvi) as used by the Shilluks of the White Nile. On December 10th I reached
Omdurinan, the results of the trip being rather disappointing. Unfortunately I had
no time to visit the Rahad or Dinder, tributaries of the Blue Nile which run dry
during a part of the year, except for pools which would probably be excellent for
fishing.
At Omdurman I had just time to arrange my kit and buy stores before starting up the
White Nile for Gondokoro in the Uganda Protectorate. I left by steamer on December
17th and arrived on January 10th. The voyage was uneventful, the most interesting
part was going through the sudd beyond Lake No. The true sudd is almost entirely
composed of tall waving papyrus, which extends over a large tract of country, with here
and there large open lagoons. A desolate region, with very little life except a few birds
and an occasional hippopotamus. As one approaches Shambi the country becomes more
open and a few natives are seen. Shambi is now a small military station. Between
Bor and Gondokoro villages are more frequent, although cultivation is restricted to a
strip of land near the river. We came to Mongalla, which is, or was, the last Anglo-
Soudanese station, a few miles further south being the Belgian forts of Kerro and Lado
on the west bank, and about 6 miles further is Gondokoro, nearly 1100 miles from
Khartum. It is a straggling station situated on rismg ground. There is a small
mixed population, which included, when I was there, four Englishmen, a Greek, two
Indian traders, and some black troops of the Uganda Rifles. The river is fairly
broad, with a strong current, the banks steep in places, but covered with dense
vegetation. The natives, of the Bari tribe, are not keen fishermen like the Shilluks.
Occasionally one was seen with a long straight fishing-spear.
INTRODUCTION. hi
I added 300-400 specimens to the collection in 24 months at Gondokoro. The best
fishing-grounds were the small kores running into the Nile at various spots. Whilst
at Gondokoro I made a trip inland with Capt. Owen, of the Uganda Rifles, to a small
lake in the forest, 8 miles to the north-east. ‘The water was very muddy and khaki-
coloured, and this may account for the scarcity of fish in the lake. A herd of more
than 70 hippopotami had taken possession of one end of the lake, and occasionally
one would come to the other end, close to our camp. ‘The hippos objected so much to
my small boat that Capt. Owen was obliged to shoot two or three, which took it into
their heads to charge us and might have done a good deal of damage. At the end of
March I started to return, stopping a few days at Kanessa, in the Sudd district,
where fishing yielded nothing of interest. On April 21st, 1902, I reached Omdurman,
thus ending the collecting part of the survey, which had lasted three years and
two months.
L. LOAT.
November 28, 1902.
FISHING-BOAT AT FasHnopa.
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Fishes of the Nile.
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Introduction.
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CROSSOPTERYGII.
CLADISTIA.
POLYPTERIDZ.
SoLE survivors of an Order abundantly represented from the Devonian to the
Cretaceous, these Fishes are confined to the fresh waters of Africa, where they
form two genera—Folypterus, Geoffroy, of which three species live in the Nile; and
Calamichthys, J. A. Smith, a serpentiform type in which the ventral fins have
disappeared, and of which only one species is known, C. calabaricus, J. A. Smith,
inhabiting the Niger Delta, Old Calabar, Cameroon, and the Chiloango. They are
easily recognized by their armour of large rhombic bony scales coated with a layer
of enamel-like substance (ganoid scales), the presence of a pair of jugular plates,
replacing the branchiostegal rays, the presence of true clavicles, the lobate, pedunculate
pectoral fins, with three basal endoskeletal elements, and the dorsal fin forming a
series of isolated rays or finlets.
Spiracles, covered by a bony valve, open on the top of the head. The air-bladder 1s
double, with the duct opening on the ventral side of the pharynx, and acts as an
accessory respiratory organ; the heart has a conus arteriosus with several rows of
valves, and the intestine is provided with a spiral valve.
bo
POLYPTERID &.
1. POLYPTERUS.
Geoffroy, Ann. Mus. Paris, i. 1802, p. 57,and Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 4 (1809) ; A. Duméril, Hist.
Poiss. ii. p. 391 (1870); Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 20 (1901).
Body more or less elongate, not serpentiform; spines of the dorsal fin bearing
several articulated rays ; ventral fins present; suboperculum present.
Polypterus is represented in the Nile and the principal river-systems of tropical
Africa, with the exception of the Zambesi; also in Lake Chad, Lake Rudolf, and
Lake Tanganyika. 10 species are distinguished :—
1. P. bichir, Geoffr.—Nile, L. Rudolf, Chad Basin.
2. P. lapradii, Stdr.—Senegal, Gambia, Niger.
3. P. congicus, Blgr.—Congo, L. Tanganyika.
A, P. endlicheri, Heck.—Nile, Niger, Chad Basin.
5. P. ornatipinnis, Blgr.—Congo.
6. P. delhezi, Bler.—Congo.
7. P. weeksii, Bler.—Congo.
8. P. senegalus, Cuv.—Nile, L. Rudolf, Chad Basin, Senegal, Gambia, Niger.
9. P. palmas, Ayres.—Guinea, Congo.
10. P. retropinnis, Vaill.—Congo.
The number of dorsal spines varies in each species, but within moderate lmits ;
thus, in the species in which they are least numerous, P. palmas, the ascertained
range of variation is from 5 to 8, whilst in P. dichir, which has the highest number,
the range is from 14 to 18. ‘The articulated rays borne by each spine vary from 4
to 7 in P. bichir and P. senegalus, from 5 to 9 in P. endlicheri.
The sexes are distinguished externally by the form of the anal fin, which, in the
males, has the anterior rays much thickened, whilst the scaly fold at its base is also
enlarged. The difference in the appearance of the fin is shown on Pl. IL., the upper
figure (skeleton) being that of a male, the lower that of a female; also on figs, 1
and 2 (p. 3), the former representing a female, the latter a male. ‘his difference
in the outer form of the anal is accompanied by an internal one, the anterior
endoskeletal supports of this fin being fused in the males into a single triradiate
bone, as represented on Pl. III., upper figure.
As a rule, there is a very distinct gap between the anal fin and the caudal; but in
a specimen of P. senegalus from Fashoda, which is here figured (fig. 1), the gap is
filled by what appears to be a second anal fin, with seven slender rays. The caudal
fin, which is normally symmetrical, sometimes exhibits a tendency to heterocercy ;
the most pronounced case of this kind with which I have come across occurs in a
P. senegalus, likewise from Fashoda, of which a figure is also given (fig. 2).
POLYPTERUS. ; o
The vent is situated close to and in front of the anal fin; on each side of it an
abdominal pore, minute and difficult to distinguish, opens under the scaly basal fold
of the anal fin.
The ventral fins are composed of 13 to 16 rays; one of the fins, either the right or
the left, is not infrequently longer than the other.
Apart from the superficial bones of the skull, which afford important specific
characters, the skeletons appear to differ according to the species in the number of
Caudal region of P. senegalus, female, from Fashoda. Natural size.
BE LEE
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9" yy S Ss LIE
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Caudal region of P. senegalus, male, from Fashoda. Natural size.
vertebrae, of which there are 64 to 67 (60 or 51 precaudal + 14 to 16 caudal) in
P. bichir, 53 (41412) in P. endlicheri, and 60 (47+13) in P. senegalus.
We owe the first observations on the characters of the young to Dr. Steindachner, of
Vienna, who, in 1869, on his return from a collecting-expedition to the Senegal,
announced the startling discovery that both P. lapradii and P. senegalus are provided,
for a certain period, with a large opercular gill similar in appearance to those possessed
by Tailed Batrachians. Since then, numerous specimens provided with external gills
have been obtained in the Congo, in the Gambia, in the Niger, and in the Nile.
bce
4 POLYPTERIDZ.
Three such specimens of P. dichir, from near Cairo, have been presented to the
British Museum by Dr. J. C. Mitchell, and two specimens, belonging to P. senegalus,
have been found by Mr. Loat in the White Nile.
The specimens with external gills at present known may be arranged in three
divisions :—(1) Without scales, and with the dorsal fin spineless, not differentiated
Larval specimen of P. senegalus (after Budgett). x 33.
from the caudal; the only example known being the larval specimen of P. senegalus
brought home from the Gambia by the late Mr. Budgett, and described and figured
by him. (2) With scales of a cycloid type and with the dorsal fin as in the preceding.
(3) With all the essential characters of the mature form.
The scales, when they first appear, are very thin, circular, juxtaposed, and only well
developed about the lateral line and on the tail. Though devoid of spines, and in no
Young specimen of P. senegalus, found by Mr. Loat in the White Nile. x 2.
way pinnules, the rays of the dorsal fin of the very young are the same in number as in
the adult, but it is impossible to draw a limit between them and those of the caudal.
In the specimens obtained by Mr. Loat, the five anterior spines are not fully formed,
not bicuspid, whilst the others have already assumed their definite shape. The
median caudal rays are much elongate, the fin being acutely pointed *.
In some of the larger species of Polypterus, such as P. bichir, P. lapradii, and
P. congicus, the external gills may persist late in life, specimens between 240 and
345 millimetres long being occasionally still provided with them.
‘Hyrtl supposed the external gill of Polypterus to be homologous with the pseudo-
branch of Sturgeons. Budgett, who has made a study of the anatomy f, based on the
* On the young of various species, cf. Boulenger, P..Z.S. 1902, 1. p. 121, pls. x. & xi.
7 Tr. Zool. Soc. xv. 1901, p. 328.
POLYPTERUS. 5
well-preserved material obtained in the Gambia, concludes that it is rather homologous
with the external gill of larval Dipneusti and Batrachians, which have properly an
external and an internal gill to each visceral arch.
Although among the most characteristic fishes of the Nile, the Polyptert do not
appear to have been depicted by the ancient Egyptians.
Synopsis of the Species.
Dorsal fin with 14 to 18 spines; interorbital region slightly convex ;
suboperculum larger than the eye; 63 to 70 scales in a longitudinal
series, 46 to 54 rouad the body . ee ete CORE? erie er
Dorsal fin with 11 to 14 spines; interorbital region flat or slightly
concaye ; suboperculum larger than the eye; 50 to 58 scales in a
longitudinal series, 42 to 46 round the body ...... . . 2 P. endlicheri, Heck.
Dorsal fin with 8 to 11 spines; interorbital region very convex ; sub-
1. P. bichir, Geoftr.
operculum not larger than the eye; 53 to 61 scales in a longitudinal
séries, o4-to 40 round the body a <5 eS sy es eae ee POMS AUN,
LoPOLYPTERUS BICEHrER:
(Plate I.)
Polypterus bichir, Geoftroy, Ann. du Mus. i. 1802, p. 57, pl. v., and Deser. Egypte, Poiss. p. 4,
pl. i. (1809) ; Guichenot, Mag. Zool. 1839, Poiss. p. 10; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii.
p. 267 (1869); A. Duméril, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 391, pl. xxiii. fig. 1 (1870) ; Schweinfurth,
Herz. Afr. i. p. 253, fig. (1874) ; Steindachner, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, xliv. 1882, p. 52, pls. viii.
& ix. fig. 1; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) ii. 1898, p. 417; S. Flower, Proc. Zool. Soe.
1900, p. 969; Werner, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxi. 1904, p. 271.
Polypterus bichir, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. viii. p. 326 (1870); Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova,
(2) xix. 1898, p. 248.
Depth of body seven to nine times in the total length, length of head four and one-
fourth to five and two-thirds times. Head twice or nearly twice as long as broad,
rather strongly flattened, with supero-lateral eyes and slightly convex interorbital
region ; lower jaw projecting slightly beyond the upper; length of snout five to seven
times in the length of the head; eye eight and a half (young) to thirteen times in the
length of the head, once and five-sevenths (young) to twice and four-fifths in the
interocular width; the latter less than the distance between the eye and the spiracle ;
cleft of the mouth extending beyond the anterior third of the head; nasal bones in
contact on the median line in the adult; a series of four to seven shields between the
postorbital and the spiracular shields; suboperculum much larger than the eye.
Gular plates twice and a half to three times as long as broad. Dorsal fin with 14 to
18 spines, followed by 20 to 28 articulated dorsal and caudal rays; spines overlapping
when folded down, four to eight times as long as broad, the first corresponding to the
6 POLYPTERID A.
twelfth to sixteenth transverse series of scales. Anal fin with 11 to ldrays, Pectoral
fin with 36 to 42 rays, reaching beyond the vertical of the first spine of the dorsal.
Scales smooth or slightly rugose, in 63 to 70 transverse series, 46 to 54 round the body.
Greyish or greenish olive above, the young with ten to thirteen cross-bars on the back
and two or three stripes along the sides of a darker shade; these markings become more
indistinct or disappear entirely in the adult; a few scattered black spots sometimes
present on the body; paired fins with more or less distinct transverse streaks or series
of spots, the other fins without spots; the ventral, anal, and caudal sometimes tinged
with red; belly lemon-yellow ; iris yellow.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 720 millimetres. ‘The species
reaches a length of at least 820 millimetres according to Steindachner.
Out of forty-four specimens examined, four have 14 spines in the dorsal fin, nine
have 15, twenty have 16, nine have 17, and two have 18.
This species appears to be confined to the Nile, Lake Rudolf, and the Chad Basin ;
the statement as to its occurrence in the Senegal requires confirmation. The above
description is drawn up from the following examples :—
4. 3 miles south of Damietta, in freshwater canal connecting Nile with L. Menzaleh.—J. C.
Mitchell, 8-9.1895.
2 Mansurah, Damietta branch of Nile.—Harrington and Hunt, 1898.
1 Cairo.—Riippell, 1833.
1 Nile near Cairo ; bought in Boulak Fish Bazar, Cairo.—Loat, 15.3.99.
1 Kawa, White Nile—Loat, 5.1.01.
6 Goz abu Gumah, White Nile-—Loat, 1.5.01.
2 Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile.—Loat, 5.4.01.
24 Fashoda, White Nile——Loat, 1-7.4.01.
1 Ina kore near Kerro, White Nile.—Loat, 8.1.01.
1 Mouth of Lake No, White Nile.—Loat. 19.2.01.
1 Bahr-el-Gebel.—Capt. Flower, 7.4.00.
P. bichir is represented in West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Niger) by a very closely
allied species, P. lapradii, Stdy., often difficult to distinguish. This differs in having
the anterior part of the head broader and flatter, the interocular region flat, its width
at least three times the diameter of the eye in the adult (twice or twice and one-third
in the young), and not less than the distance from the eye to the spiracle. The
dorsal spines vary from 13 to 15; of the thirty-two specimens examined by me, six
have 13 spines, six have 15, and twenty have 14; 60 to 68 scales along the body, 46
to 52 round the body. ‘The colour and markings are the same as in P. dichir, but the
latter are usually better defined. ‘The length of the specimens in the British Museum
varies between 94 and 740 millimetres.
A specimen with external gills from the Bahr Tondi (Bahr-el-Ghazal) has long
ago been described and figured by Schweinfurth; it measured 250 millimetres, and
POLY PTERUS.
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|
re) POLYPTERIDZ.
Dr. J. C. Mitchell obtained others, measuring 270 to 345 millimetres, in the Lower
Nile, near Damietta, in 1895. In the largest of these specimens the external gill
measures 20 millimetres.
Several of the specimens collected by Mr. Loat bore, especially in the axil of the
pectoral fin and at the base of the anal, parasitic Copepods, which my colleague
Dr. Calman has kindly determined for me as a species of Lernwocera, probably
undescribed. Similar parasites, apparently belonging to the same species, were also
found on P. endlicheri, P. senegalus, and on Tanganyika specimens of P. congicus
brought home by Dr. Cunnington. |
Called ‘‘ Abu sheer” or ‘* Abu bisheer ” ( yx 9!) in Egypt: the first name being the one
more often used; ‘ad’ sheer” at Omdurman, the name being applied also to the two
other species of the same genus.
The late Mr. N. R. Harrington, when stationed on the Damietta Nile in June-
September, 1898, with the object of elucidating the breeding-habits of —Polypterus,
obtained between Mansurah and Damietta large numbers of specimens of this species
(12 males and 58 females), some laden with eggs, others having evidently spawned
quite recently. He has published a paper on their habits *, from which the following
notes are extracted :—
It lives in the deeper depressions of the muddy river-bed, but it 1s an active
swimmer and not essentially a bottom-liver or a mud-fish. It is most active at night-
time when in search of its food, consisting mainly of Fishes—Silurids, Hels, 7?/apia,
Cyprinodon, &c.,—which it apparently catches alive, for it prefers live bait and always
swallows its food whole. Peculiar in the swimming-movements of Polypterus is the
manner in which the head moves freely from the side; this produces the appearance
of a progression more or less snake-like or eel-like, although in general the powerful
sweeps of the strong tail characterize the progression as fish-like. ‘The pectoral fins
were never observed to be used otherwise than are the pectoral fins of most other
fishes, 7.¢. primarily as balancing-organs, but partly as organs of progression; the
spreading fin-rays give a mobility to the pectorals which is strikingly and beautifully
displayed in a high development of the “trembling movement,” so often seen in the
balancing-fins of Teleosts. The long dorsal fin is not always erect when the animal is
swimming ; it can be raised or lowered at will.
In spite of repeated observations, there is little positive evidence that Polypterus
comes often to the surface to breathe. ‘The fish cannot lve in brackish water, even a
slight salinity kills it.
The males are smaller than the females and much less numerous; they are
generally taken in company with one or more females.
The time of the breeding can be approximately determined not only by the gradual
* Amer. Natural. xxxiii. 1899, p. 721.
POLYPTERUS. o
ripening of the eggs from June to September, but, since the spawning-seasons of nearly
all Nile Fishes correspond in a rough way, there is evidence that Polypterus probably
breeds during, or just after, the inundation of the Nile. Several specimens killed by
the influx of salt water in the low Nile at Toela, some 30 miles from the sea, in the
beginning of August, were heavily laden with eggs.
The same observer has also noticed that, in spite of its lung-like air-bladders,
Polypterus will not survive more than three or four hours out of water, and only then
under the most favourable conditions—that is, covered with damp grass and weeds.
The eggs, when ready to be shed, are blackish in their upper half and whitish below,
and measure only 14 millimetres.
9. POLYPTERUS ENDLICHERI.
(Plate IT.)
Polypterus endlicheri, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 310, pl. xxi. fig. 1 (1849) ;
A. Duméril, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 393, pl. xxiii. fig. 3 (1870); Steindachner, Denkschr. Ak.
Wien, xliv. 1882, p. 52, pls. viii. & ix. fig. 2; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) i. 1898,
p. 418, and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1902, i. p. 124, pl. xi. fig. 2; Werner, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxi.
1904, p. 271.
Polypterus senegalensis, part., Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 268 (1869).
Polypterus bichir, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. viii. p. 826 (1870).
Depth of body seven to nine times in the total length, length of head four and two-
fifths to five and two-fifths times. Body more or less distinctly flattened, at least in front.
Head once and a half to once and four-fifths as long as broad, much flattened, with
supero-lateral eyes and flat or slightly concave interorbital region ; lower jaw projecting
slightly beyond the upper; length of snout five to seven times in the length of the
head ; eye nine (young) to fifteen times in the length of the head, twice and one-sixth
(young) to three and two-thirds times in the interocular width; the latter more than
the distance between the eye and the spiracle; cleft of the mouth not extending much
beyond the anterior third of the head ; nasal bones in contact on the median line in
the adult; a series of four to six shields between the postorbital and the spiracular
shields; suboperculum much larger than the eye. Gular plates twice to twice and
a half as long as broad. Dorsal fin with 11 to 14 spines, followed by 18 to 21
articulated dorsal and caudal rays; anterior spines not or but feebly overlapping when
folded, three to five times as long as broad; the first spine corresponding to the
twelfth to sixteenth transverse series of scales. Anal fin with 15 to 18 rays. Pectoral
fin with 40 to 45 rays, reaching to or beyond the vertical of the first spine of the
dorsal. Scales smooth or more or less rugose with wavy longitudinal strize, in 50 to 908
transverse series, 42 to 46 round the body.
Grey or greyish olive above; four to six more or less regular broad blackish bands
C
10 POLYPTERIDA.
across the back, the first on the nape; on the sides these bands are directed backwards,
or break up into branches or detached spots; lips and fins with blackish spots, these
usually forming transverse lines on the pectorals and ventrals, and oblique wavy lines
or vermiculations on the dorsal; belly creamy white, sometimes slightly tinged with
orange ; iris bronzy.
The single known specimen with external gills, obtained by Dr. Ansorge at Agberi,
Niger Delta, measures 180 millimetres; the external gill 30. The markings do not
differ from those of the adult.
Grows to a length of 710 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of dorsal spines and scales.
1 2 3 4 5 6 te 8 eS) eee ON ee
Total length (without caudal fin)........ 630 | 620 | 610 | 570| 520) 450 | 440 | 355 | 380 | 245 | 295 | 145
Greatest depth-of body =7,..% a8 s< 4 es: Te) BA 70-67 | OF | 52) 55 42) 41) 85) 25) 20
engtheor Hede wae tw Te ie eo 130 | 125) 122/105|110| 90} 88| 71| 72| 55} 51! 37
Width of head (at temples) ............ 85| 80| 80} 67) 70| 55| 53] 43) 45] 35! 81] 20
ena eo enGuts i -gace aneee oe ees DO Sa ee be She ie ke) ded 1 F101 6
WAT OROESO1 OY OP 2 5 ay ee sa ole a ee te aed One tee Ole Gl A
Interocular width .........0065 sees, 83) 34] 35| 32| 27] 24| 23| 18] 18| 13] 13] 9
Length of first dorsal spine ............ Olidoed ol 26) 261220 | Tiedd4 161. 144. 114) ..7
3 last dorsal: spine a. Ae e so 43 38; 41] 46) 44} 35] 34] 81) 25] 22) 18] 16
Number of dorsal spines .............. eae eee wet La 1 13) 18h 42] VY
scales in a longitudinal series || 56) 56] 55| 58) 57| 55| 56| 57| 56) 54| 56| 55
7 », round body ..........| 44] 44] 42] 44] 44] 42] 44] 42] 46] 44|] 42] 46
x » from occiput to first
dorsal spine ...... Degele Peyton oie etre dS OS 8
1,10. Sbederah, White Nile.—Loat. 7. Niger.
2. Hashoda.—Loat. 8. L. Chad.—Gosling.
3. Kawa, White Nile.—Loat. 9. Khartum.—Petherick.
4, Goz abu Gumah, White Nile.—Loat. | 11. Goz Shebesha, White Nile.—Loat.
5. Mouth of L. No.—Loat. 12, Agberi, Niger.—Ansorge.
6. Gondokoro.—Loat.
I have examined twenty specimens of this species; of these, one has 11 spines in
the dorsal fin, eleven have 12, six have 138, one has 14, whilst one (from Goz abu
POLYPTERUS. 11
Gumah, White Nile) is anomalous in having 13 on one side and 14 on the other, the
fourteenth ray bearing a sharply pointed spine on the left side, whilst on the right
side it is not distinguishable from the articulated caudal rays that follow.
P. endlicheri was originally described from the White Nile. It has since been
obtained in the Bahr-el-Gebel, in Lake Chad, and in the Niger. The following is a
list of the specimens from which the above description is taken :—
Khartum.—Petherick, 1863.
Shederah, near Omdurman.—Loat, 31.12.00.
Goz Shebesha, White Nile.—Loat, 3.1.01.
Kawa, White Nile.—Loat, 5.1.01.
~Goz abu Gumah, White Nile.—Loat, 7.1.01.
Fashoda.—Loat, 20-28.3.01.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 15.2.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 15.2-11.3.02.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
Agberi, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 30.10.01.
Niger.
wo wD eR wr WH bb
Oo HY es
The stomach of a specimen from Kawa contained a small Tilapia and a small
Synodontis. Mr. Loat has noted in one of the specimens from the mouth of Lake No
that when the mouth is opened the eyes sink into the sockets to a remarkable extent,
whilst when the mouth is closed they art about flush with the head.
Native name at Kawa: ‘“ Dabib.”
3, POLYPTERUS SENEGALUS.
(Plate III.)
Polypterus senegalus, Cuvier, Regne Anim. 2nd ed. p. 830 (1829), and Régne Anim. Illustr., Poiss.
pl. ev. fig. 2 (1836) ; Guichenot, Mag. de Zool. 1839, Poiss. p. 11, pl. i. ; Steindachner, Sitzb.
Ak. Wien, lix. i. 1869, p. 106, pl.i. figs. 3-5; A. Duméril, Hist. Poiss. i. p. 394, pl. xxiii.
fig. 2 (1870) ; Steindachner, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, xliv. 1882, p. 52, pls. vill. & ix. fig. 2, and
Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 92; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) i. 1898, p. 419 ;
Budgett, Proc. Cambr. Philos. Soc. x. 1900, p. 236; Boulenyer, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1902, i.
p- 124, pl. xi. fig. 3; Werner, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxi. 1904, p. 271.
Polypterus senegalensis, part., Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 268 (1869).
Polypterus arnaudii, A. Dumeéril, t. c. pl. xxii. fig. 2.
Polypterus bichir, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 326 (1870).
Polypterus senegalensis, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxi. 1. 1870, p. 718.
Polypterus bichir (non Geoffroy), Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 218.
Depth of body seven and two-thirds to ten and one-third times in the total length,
length of head five and three-fourths to seven times. Body cylindrical or slightly
CZ
12 POLYPTERIDA.
compressed. Head once and three-fifths to twice as long as broad, with lateral eyes
and convex interorbital region ; snout projecting slightly beyond the lower jaw; length
of snout four to six times in the length of the head; eye five (young) to eight times in
the length of head, once and a half (young) to twice and one-third in the interocular
width ; the latter more than the distance between the eye and the spiracle; cleft of the
mouth not extending much beyond the anterior third of the head; nasal bones in
contact on the median line in the adult; a series of two or three (rarely four) shields
between the postorbital and the spiracular shields ; suboperculum as large as or smaller
than the eye. Gular plates twice to twice and a half as long as broad. Dorsal fin
with 8 to 11 spines, followed by 16 to 19 articulated dorsal and caudal rays; anterior
spines more or less widely separated from each other when folded, two and a half
to four times as long as broad; the first spine corresponding to the sixteenth to
twenty-first transverse series of scales. Anal fin with 14 to 17 rays. Pectoral fin
with 35 to 40 rays, not reaching the vertical of the first spine of the dorsal. Scales
smooth, in 53 to 61 transverse series, 34 to 40 round the body.
The very young is conspicuously marked with dark longitudinal bands, but all
markings disappear at a very early age, the fish being uniformly grey, greyish olive,
or dark green above, white, cream-colour, or yellow beneath; the fins immaculate,
whitish or greyish, the ventrals, anal, and caudal sometimes yellow or tinged with
orange; the inner side of the pectoral peduncle of a purplish flesh-colour in the
young, of a dark purple in the adult ; a more or less distinct dark streak, disappearing
with age, from the upper lip to below the operculum; iris pale golden in some
specimens, bronzy in others.
The external gills do not appear ever to persist in specimens longer than 105 milli-
metres. Two small specimens, measuring 60 and 69 millim. respectively (see fig. 4,
p. 4), were obtained by Mr. Loat in the White Nile, at the mouth of Lake No, in the
beginning of February 1901. ‘The external gills measure 5 millim.; the scales are
imbricate and rhomboidal, striated, except within the central areola. A dark brown
band on each side, from the end of the snout, through the eye, to the base of the
caudal fin; another dark band, only a Jittle narrower, below the first along the body,
separated from it by a narrow yellowish streak.
I have examined numerous other very young specimens, from 39 to 105 millim. long,
obtained by Dr. Ansorge and by Mr. Budgett in the Niger Delta. In the largest of
these specimens, the external gills measure from 0 to 25 millim., the scales are nearly
smooth, and mere traces of the dark bands are visible ; the dorsal and caudal fins bear
dark spots. A still smaller and truly larval specimen, 32 millim. long, from the
Gambia, has been described and figured by Budgett, Tr. Zool. Soc. xvi. 1901, p. 115,
pl. xi. fig. 1; his figure is reproduced above, p. 4.
500 millim. appears to be the maximum length attained by thisspecies. Our largest
specimen measures 420 millim.
13
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14 POLYPTERIDA.
Of all the species of Polypterus, P. senegalus is the most widely distributed, and
wherever found always appears in greater number than its congeners. It is on record
from the White Nile, southwards to Lake Albert, from Lake Rudolf, Lake Chad, the
Senegal, the Gambia, and the Niger. It appears to be absent from Lake Victoria.
List of specimens examined :—
) Khartum.—Petherick, 1863.
10 Goz abu Gumah, White Nile.—Loat, 7.1.01.
Kaka, White Nile.—Loat, 17.4.01.
Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile-—Loat, 5-14.4.01.
103 Fashoda, White Nile.—Loat, 14-31.3.01.
Tewfikyeh, White Nile-—Loat, 13.3.01.
Tonga, White Nile.-—Loat, 24-25.1.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Bahr-el-Zaraf.—Capt. Flower, 3.00.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 7-—9.2.01, 4.3.01.
Bahr-el-Ghazal.—Capt. Flower, 3.00.
Bahr-el-Gebel.—Capt. Flower, 3-8.4.00.
Kerro, Bahr-el-Gebel.—Loat, 26.2.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 16.2.02—11.3.02.
Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
Galeba, N.E. end of Lake Rudolf.—Zaphiro, 8.7.05.
L. Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
Senegal.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1900.
McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1899.
Gambia.
Niger.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Assay, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Assay, Lower Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
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Of these three hundred and twenty specimens, nine have 8 spines in the dorsal fin,
one hundred and seventy-four have 9, one hundred and thirty-four have 10, and three
have LI.
P. palinas, Ayres, from West Africa (Liberia, Cape Palmas, Sierra Leone) and the
Congo, is very closely allied to P. senegalus, but differs in having the dorsal spines
smaller and fewer, 5 to 8, 25 to 26 series of scales between the occiput and the first
dorsal spine, and the coloration not uniform, the fins at least being more or less
distinctly spotted, and a large oval black spot being present on the muscular part of
the pectoral fin. |
POLYPTERUS. 15
The first observations on the habits of P. senegalus were made by the late
Mr. J. S. Budgett in the Gambia in 1899 * :—
‘In June and July sexually mature individuals were taken in numbers together ;
about three-fifths were females. The fish lies for long periods in the mud at the river
bottom with the fore part slightly raised and resting upon its pectoral fins like a seal
upon its paddles. If the water is a little stale it may be seen to move slowly forwards
by the action of its pectoral fins, which are worked very much as a lady uses her fan;
the ventral fringing rays are deflected first, the more dorsally placed ones later, giving
the action, in which the whole shaft of the fin is involved, a screw-like appearance.
As it nears the surface, however, the whole of the body and tail is brought into action,
with a dart it strikes the surface, gulps in the air with its mouth, lets out the excess
by opening tts spiracles, and with lightning rapidity returns to the bottom.
“The only time Polypterus was seen to feed in the wild state, there was a small
shoal of P. senegalus making their way slowly along the river bank. One of their
number seized a fresh-water Crustacean, two others gave chase and, stirring up the
mud, they all disappeared. When seizing young fry or tadpoles, it proceeds stealthily
after them, propelling itself by the flutters of its fan-like fins until within striking
distance, and then with a sharp snap they are gulped down.
“If the water is perfectly well aérated, Polypterus may lie for a long time without
breathing air; but a specimen which had been perfectly happy in tolerably fresh water
for some days, when allowed to reach the surface, succumbed in a few hours when
prevented from so doing. On the other hand, one specimen lived for twenty-four hours
in a landing net, with no more water ina the moisture of the atmosphere, and finally
had to be killed. |
‘‘ Polypterus may be watched for a considerable time, and give the impression that
it is a sluggish and inactive fish. If, however, one is lucky enough to observe a male
and a female sporting together, it will be seen that they are capable of wonderful
activity—executing the most lithe and gsi movements, turning, twisting, darting,
and pausing in an extremely graceful manner.’
He concludes by stating that this species, as well as the larger P. lapradii,
“migrates to the flooded lands to spawn ; that without doubt it uses its air-bladder as
an accessory organ of respiration and seldom as an hydrostatic organ, as a rule being
unable to float, though it should be mentioned that, preparatory to sporting near
the surface, it was seen to take in several gulps of air in succession. The spiracle is
used for the emission of air and not for the passage of water. The pectoral fins are
important organs of propulsion and not mere balancers, as in almost all Teleostomes.”
I have myself observed several living specimens from the White Nile, kindly
forwarded to me by Mr. Loat, which I have kept in an aquarium for more than
* Proc. Cambr. Philos. Soc. x. 1900, p. 236.
16 POLYPTERIDA,
a year. The annexed sketch was taken by Mr. P. J. Smit to show their various
attitudes.
I may add to Budgett’s account that the screw-like action of the pectoral fins is
accompanied by more or less rapid forward and backward movements of the base of
the fins. When the fish is at rest the dorsal “ finlets ” are usually folded down upon
the back, but when it prepares to move they are slowly raised in succession, generally
SS =
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oc SP
SS
Ze = E
Polypterus senegalus, from living specimens.
from front to back ; they are again lowered in reversed order, viz. beginning with the
last. When under water the fish frequently emits large air-bubbles from the gill-
openings ; but I have never seen any proceed from the spiracles, although, my attention
being specially directed to this point, I have watched the top of the head for hours.
In a later communication, Budgett has again dealt with this matter * and stated
that he has been able to verify his previous observation. He has seen the spiracles
rapidly opened and closed, though not widely, while the fish is eating, and he has
again seen minute bubbles of air issue from the spiracles, which open widely when the
head emerges from the water. I have never seen the fish move the head indepen-
dently from the body. In certain lights the pupil of the eye appears orange or
fire-colour. The tentacles in which the anterior nostrils terminate are endowed with
considerable mobility; they are usually directed forwards and outwards, but sometimes
straight forwards, or even outwards at right angles to the axis of the head.
* P.Z. 8. 1903, 1. p. 10.
POLYPTERUDUS. | 17
In an aquarium the Polypteri behave very peacefully towards one another; never
have I observed them to bite their companions, even at feeding-time, which, however,
has never been a moment of great excitement. Probably owing to the insufficient.
heat of the room in which the aquarium was kept, they did not at any time show
ereat voracity, and often was the food offered them—worms, bits of raw meat, or fish—
left untouched. When the fish feels uncomfortable through having been long in
dirty water, the lower parts, the gill-membranes, the end of the snout, and sometimes
also the fins, become injected with blood and may assume a brilliant red coloration,
which gradually disappears when the water is changed.
On a visit to Capt. Vipan’s aquarium at Stibbington Hall, I had an opportunity of
observing again, at different times of day and night, the movements of P. senegalus,
and also those of P. lapradii. I was much struck by the different behaviour of the
two species—P. senegalus showing little shyness and being a good deal on the move,
whilst P. lapradti hides away among the weeds when under observation, moving
slowly on the bottom. Further, it was observed that the dorsal spines of P. lapradi
are nearly always erected, perfectly perpendicular to the axis of the body, when the
fish is resting, whilst they are folded down in P. senegalus.. Neither Capt. Vipan nor
myself could see the spiracular flaps move, or air-bubbles escape from them. _
Eggs, ready to be deposited, are found in specimens measuring from 250 millim.
total length. ‘These eggs are half black and half white, as in P. bochir, and 1 measure
likewise about 14 millim. in diameter. 3
On the expedition to the Niger Delta, where he contracted the fatal eee to
which he succumbed on Jan. 19, 1904, Mr. Budgett saw his efforts at last rewarded
with success, and by artificially fertilizing the eggs he succeeded in bringing back to
Cambridge complete series for the working out of the development of this most
important type of Vertebrates, a task which he had already commenced when death
terminated his highly promising career. Writing from Southern Nigeria, Aug. 28th *,
he describes the segmentation as “astonishingly frog-like,’ and the larve he showed
me at Cambridge shortly before his death appeared highly suggestive of even closer
affinity with the Batrachians than with the Dipneusti.
The material left by Budgett is now being studied by Professor Graham Kerr, and
we are eagerly looking forward to the publication of his results.
* « Nature,’ Ixviii. 1903, p. 516.
1s LEPIDOSIRENIDA.
DIPNEUSTI.
LEPIDOSIRENIDZA.
Aberrant Fishes, connected with the early Crossopterygians through a number of
forms of which the living Neoceratodus is a survivor. Breathing by both gills and
lungs, the latter being a modification of the paired air-bladder characteristic of the
preceding family. Nostrils situated under the upper lip and concealed when the
mouth is closed. ‘True clavicles present, as in the Crossopterygians, but concealed
under the skin. No vertebral centra, notochord persistent throughout life. Limbs
consisting of a slender segmented axis with or without a unilateral fringe. No distinct
caudal fin. Dentition very remarkable, consisting of sharp ridges of dentine covered
with enamel and continuous with the vomerine, palatopterygoid, and splenial bones.
Heart with a conus arteriosus with several rows of valves; intestine with a spiral
valve. Lungs paired, elongate, attenuate posteriorly. Young undergoing a larval
metamorphosis, the larva with cutaneous external gills and a holder or cement-organ
on the gular region. |
Africa and South America.
Upper and lower teeth of Protopterus ethiopreus.
For the most recent views on the relationships of these fishes and their nearest
allies, the reader is referred to L. Dollo’s brilliant memoir, “ Sur la Phylogénie des
Dipneustes,” in Mém. Soc. Belge Géol. ix. 1895, p. 79.
PROTOPTERUS, © ey)
1. PROTOPTERUS.
Protopterus, Owen, Proc. Linn. Soc. 1839, p. 27; Peters, Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 2 (1868) ;
_ A. Duméril, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 469 (1870); A. Schneider, Zool. Anz. 1886, p. 524 ; pea |
Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 32 (1901). .
Protomelus, Hogg, Ann. & Mag. N. H. vii. 1841, p. 359.
FRhinocryptis, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1844, p. 414.
Body subcylindrical, more or less elongate, with pointed tail, at the end of which
the elongate dorsal and anal fins meet. Limbs slender, styliform; a more or less
developed dermal fringe, with very thin rays, at least on the fore limb. Six branchial
arches and five branchial clefts. External gills often distinct, especially in the young.
Scales small, thin. Vent lateral. Peo ae
Closely allied to the Lepidosiren of South America. Represented by three African
species: Protopterus annectens, Owen, the type of the genus, P. ethiopicus, Heckel,
and P. dolloi, Blgr. |
The West-African P. annectens is well known for the cocoons in which it retires
during the dry season, and in which it remains dormant for weeks or months, The
‘dry mud-balls containing such cocoons are often sent to Europe and the fish are thus
imported without difficulty. The Nile species, however, does not appear to have the
same estivating habits, and has never been brought over alive. :
1. PROTOPTERUS ACTHIOPICUS.:
(Plate IV.)
Protopterus cethiopicus, Heckel, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, vii. 1851, p. 685 ; Marno, Zool. Gart. xiv. 18738,
p. 441; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 36 (1901), and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii. p. 158 ;
Moore, Tanganyika Problem, p. 152, fig. (1902) ; Boulenger, Trans. Zool. Soc. xvii. 1906,
p. 544. |
- Lepidosiren arnaudiz, Castelnau, cae Nouv. Amér. Sud, p. 105 (1855).
Lepidosiren annectens (non Owen), Gray, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) v. 1860, p. 70; Alabawcll Nat.
Hist. Rev. vii. 1860, p. 94; Baker, Albert eveneay [bea aD> 131 (1866) ; Giinther, Petherick’s
Trav. i. p. 268 (1869). | pees | |
Protopterus annectens, Hartmann, Nat. Skizze Nillind. p. 202 (1865). ghee os |
Protopterus annectens, part., A. Duméril, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 470 (1870) ; hather, 0 Cat. Fish Vili.
p. 322 (1870) ; A. Schneider, Zool. Beitr. i. 1887, p. 98.
Depth of body seven to nine and a half times in the total length. Late of head
three and three-fiths to five times in the distance from end of snout to vent, once and
one-sixth to once and a half its width ;: snout broadly rounded; one-fourth to one-fifth
the length of the head ; eye very small, its diameter ten’ to. twenty times in the length of
D2
20 LEPIDOSIRENIDZ.
the head (in half-grown and adult specimens), three to five times in the interocular width.
Dorsal fin originating at equal distance from the occiput and from the anal opening,
or nearer the latter. Fore limb longer than the posterior and provided with a well-
developed, fringe; no fringe on the hind limb. Tail, when intact, more or less
prolonged into a filament. 55 to 70 scales in a longitudinal series from the gill-
opening to above the vent, 40 to 50 round the body.
Grey or olive-brown to blackish above, yellowish white or pinkish Benet more or
less spotted or speckled with black; the lines of sensory canals brown or black.
With the exception of one from Ugalla and another from the shore of Lake
Tanganyika, the: specimens of this species examined by me, whether young or adult,
show no traces of external gills. ‘The anal opening is as often on the right side as on
the left; out of twenty-five specimens brought home from Entebbe by Mr. Degen,
eleven have it on the right, fourteen on the left. The bones and teeth are always
white. The ribs, in the five specimens examined, number 35 to 40 pairs.
Measurements (in millimetres) and nunbers of scales.
1 ys 3 4 4) 6. . 8 9 10
; Mota lene Geers pirate po nese © een 1380 /1310 {1190 |1100 | 690 | 485 | 280 | 220 | 160 | 145
Depth of body .......2..406. _.......} 1601170} 150/115) 80] 58| 27| 26| 17| 14
LV Syuoold a Ce Rie) 2 perro rete ear gear Sere 810 | 760 | 660 | 620 | 400 | 255 | 123 | 150 | 77 | 75
SP eh Oana s Shure aes beeen ees 185 | 150 |.160 | 145 | 105 5S 20} 30 19 18
Width of head : Sg ae te teeth Sears 120 | 100 | 115 95 | 90] 386 AG ty 22 10 10
| Diameter of Ae pea Center ier tae el ae Or al Bale 38 oo OA
: Interocular width ........... sre oe 3 emer 52 A944 BSoh 2 23 15 8: 4. 0 5 5
| From occiput to dorsal fin ............ 445 | 390 | 305 | 135 | 165 430°) 58) 64) 40°] 37
Leneth ot forelimb: > 0. eet SiGe ae 335 | 290» | 320-290 |-190 | 142 ).100 | 41 | 46) 46
pe ferteiaaes ty oth ee ES ...| 250 | 240 | 250 | 230 | 155 | 100 | 64] 38] 33] 35
Scales from gill-opening to vent ........ 70| 58| 68] 65| 60| 60} 69| 62) 65] 67
. round ae sey aoe ans Patt eR 50| 40] 48] 44; 46; 42; 48) 40) 42) 42
1, 2,4, 8. L. Victoria. ae H. nay 6. Kakonde R., ee ae a
3, 7,10. Entebbe.—Degen. 9. Wadelai.— Emin Pasha.
5. Wu. Albert Edward.—Moore.
This species has often been confounded with the better-known P. annectens,
inhabiting West Africa, from the Senegal to the Niger, and Lake Chad, which differs
PROTOPTERUS. © 2}:
in the dorsal fin originating nearer to the occiput than to the vent, and in having only
40 to 50 scales in a longitudinal series between the gill-opening and the vent. In
P. annectens the bones and teeth are usually green, although exceptions occur, and
the total length does not seem ever to exceed 700 millimetres.
In the Congo species, P. dolloi*, the body is more elongate, there are 54 pairs of
ribs, the eye is smaller, and the scales number 86 to 91 in a longitudinal series. |
Specimens from the Zambesi (P. amphibius, Peters) do not seem to me separable
from P. annectens, which perhaps occurs also in Kast Africa f.
P. ethiopicus was discovered in 1850 in the White Nile by Dr. Knoblecher when
Vicar-General at Khartum. In 1860, Dr. J. E. Gray announced that he had
purchased from a dealer specimens obtained at the mouth of the Nile; as pointed out
by Dr. McDonnell, this locality should probably read ‘‘ Mouth of the White Nile.”
In the White Nile also a specimen had been obtained by M. d’Arnaud as early as 1843,
but the specimen had remained unnoticed, for many years, in the Paris Museum.
The species has since been found in the Albert Nyanza by Sir S. Baker, in the Bahr-el-
Ghazal and Sobat by Drs. Hartmann and Schweinfurth, in the marshes of the Bahr-
el-Serat by Marno, at Wadelai by Emin Pasha, in the Albert Edward Nyanza by
Messrs. Scott Elliot and J. E.S. Moore, and in the Victoria Nyanza by Emin Pasha,
Sir Harry Johnston, and Mr. Degen. Further to the south, examples were met with
in the marshes of Ugalla, east of Lake Tanganyika, by Dr. Reichard, and a specimen
obtained by Dr. Cunnington at the mouth of a river flowing into the Tanganyika
belongs to the same species.
I have examined 40 specimens, enumerated here :—
1 Mouth of White Nile (?).
1 Wadelai.i—KEmin Pasha, 1886.
2 Lake Albert Edward.—J. E. 8. Moore, 1900.
1 Skull. Lake Albert Edward.—Scott Elliot, 1894.
25 Hntebbe, Lake Victoria.—Degen, June 1905.
3 Lake Victoria—Sir Harry Johnston, Dec. 1900.
5 Lake Victoria. —Col. Delmé Radcliffe, Feb. 1903.
1 Ugalla, E. of Lake Tanganyika.—Dr. Reichard (Berlin Mus.).
1 Kakonde River, 8. end of L. Tanganyika.—Dr. Cunnington, 17.8.04.
Little is known of the habits of this species. According to Hartmann, it burrows
in the mud during the dry season, at other times it is tound in rivers, ponds, &c.
* Prof. Vaillant has kindly examined at my request the Ogowe specimens referred by Dr. Sauvage to
P. annectens, and he informs me they belong to P. dolloi.
T Specimens labelled as from Zanzibar (Sir J. Kirk, 1868) have been recorded by Giinther in the British
Museum ‘ Catalogue of Fishes.’ This locality requires confirmation. It seems difficult to believe that se
remarkable a fish, well known to the natives wherever it occurs, should have been overlooked by so keen a
collector as Sir L. Playfair during a residence of several years on the island.
bo.
SS)
LEPIDOSIRENID.
Marno, who has observed it in the marshes of the Bahr-el-Seraf, says specimens are
dug out of the dry earth by the natives, who feed on them, but that they are never
found in cocoons as on the Gaboon and Niger. In the marshes they are caught by
means of spears. Marno only found animal remains in the stomach—fish-bones,
insect larvee, and especially small water-snails. ‘the Niggers call the fish Lhut, the
Arabs Debib-el-hut. |
Contrary to the observations of Marno, Stuhlmann found that the Nile Protopterus
will also eat beans and cooked rice. A note appended to the specimen brought home
from the Kakonde River, at the south end of Lake Tanganyika, by Dr. Cunnington,
states that the fish was taken in a native-made wicker trap, baited with vegetable matter.
Although thus captured, a specimen opened by Dr. Cunnington contained partially
digested fish in the stomach. ‘The late Father De Beerst, who has published some notes
on the habits of the fish as observed on the west coast of Lake ‘Tanganyika, regarded
it as essentially herbivorous, the stomach of two large specimens opened by him being
filled with aquatic plants and stalks of rice with their ears. On one occasion he
found the male surrounded: with hundreds of young, similar to newt-larve, an
observation since confirmed by Budgett * in the case of the West-African species,
which makes a sort of nest on which the male keeps guard until the young are strong
enough to disperse.
* Deo Zool. socnrvinde vl, plo: 4
TELEOSTEI. 23
TELEOSTEL.
Synopsis of the Suborders and Families represented in the Nile System.
I. MALACOPTERYGII.—Air-bladder, if present, communicating with the digestive tract by a
duct. Opercle well developed. Pectoral arch suspended from the skull ; mesocoracoid
arch present. Fins without spines, the ventrals abdominal, if present. Anterior vertebree
distinct, without Weberian ossicles.
A. Supraoccipital separated from the frontals by the parietals.
1, Preemaxillary single ; supratemporal very large, plate-like ; no free border to the eye ;
bones of the gill-cover concealed under the skin. . . . . 1. Mormyripa.
2. Premaxillary paired; maxillary toothed, bordering the mouth.
A large hole on each side of the skull; ribs sessile ; belly with a double
serrature . . « oe ek CER ee te eNO LORENA
No large hole on the Rie of fies seat” ribs inserted on parapophyses ;
boliynot semran@d 2 Ae eee ee ee ee a es TO Cm en
B. Supraoccipital separating the parietals.
CLUPEIDA.
Body naked; moubhwery snail pce. eae ae ee eee ae ROI Lay,
-
Body scaly ; belly usually serrated .
II, OSTARIOPHYSI.—Air-bladder, if well developed, communicating with the digestive tract
by a duct. Pectoral arch separated from the skull; mesocoracoid arch present. Fins
without spines, or dorsal and pectoral with a single spine formed by the ossification of
an articulated ray. The anterior four vertebre strongly modified, often co-ossified and
bearing a chain of small bones (so-called Weberian ossicles) connecting the air-bladder
with the ear. :
Mouth not protractile, usually toothed ; pharyngeal bones normal ; body
scaly ; an adipose dorsal] fin often present, ...............+ » 6 CHARACINIDA,
Mouth more or less protractile, toothless ; lower phary nual bones large,
falciform ; no adipose dorsal fin . . . . ate once & 1. OO YPRINED A,
Mouth not protractile, usually toothed ; ebaemcel ae See body
naked or with bony scutes ; an adipose dorsal fin often asia - « 6.) PILURIDA,
IIT, APODES.—Air-bladder, if present, communicating with the digestive tract bya duct. Pre-
maxillary bones absent ; the maxillaries, if present, separated on the median line by the
coalesced ethmoid and vomer. Pectoral arch, if present, not connected with and remote
from the skull; mesocoracoid arch absent. Fins without spines, the ventrals absent.
Anterior vertebrae distinct, without Weberian ossicles.
Maxillary bones present ; vent far removed from the head; gill-openings
POO EEO en OS a ee og a ee a Pe Se 2: Cee pa a
24 TELEOSTEI.
IV. HAPLOMI.—Air-bladder, if present, communicating with the digestive tract by a duct.
Opercle well developed. Pectoral arch suspended from the skull; no mesocoracoid arch,
Fins usually without spines ; ventrals abdominal, if present. Anterior vertebre distinct,
without Weberian ossicles.
Mouth protractiles: head scaly 4... yap See fs Se SS ee, owe. «20 CYPRINODONTIDA.
V PERCESOCES.—Intermediate between the preceding and the following suborders. Air-
bladder without open duct. Ventral fins abdominal, or, if under the pectorals, with the
pelvic bones not solidly attached to the clavicular bones.
A. Two well-developed dorsal fins, the anterior small and formed of spinous rays ; pectoral
fins inserted high up.
Pelvic bones free or connected with the clavicles by ligament . . . . 11. ATHERINID&.
Pelvic bones suspended from the postclavicles . . . . . . =. =. . 12. Muamips,
B. A single dorsal fin.
er a a eee 13. OPHIOCEPHALID&.
Strong spines to the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins . . . . . . . . 14. ANABANTIDA.
No spines to the fins .
VI, ACANTHOPTERYGII.—Air-bladder usually without open duct. Opercle well developed.
Fins usually with spines, the ventrals thoracic or jugular, more or less firmly attached to
the clavicular arch. Pectoral arch suspended from the skull; no mesocoracoid arch.
Anterior vertebree distinct.
A. Scapula and coracoid well developed.
Two nostrils on each side ; lower pharyngeal bones usually distinct . . 15. SERRANID.
A single nostril on each side ; lower pharyngeal bones united . . . . 16. CicHLIpa.
B. Scapula and coracoid more or less reduced.
Srinous dorsal, if present, formed of a few flexible rays . . . . . . 17. Gopupa.
VII. OPISTHOMI.—Air-bladder without open duct. Opercle well developed, hidden under the
skin. Pectoral arch suspended from the vertebral column, far behind the skull; no
mesocoracoid arch. Vertical fin with spines, no ventrals. Anterior vertebree distinct.
A PINTO TOstri-oN Onen Side= f= 9 Fw Hae ae ee at a ge ee 18 MAST AORMBRLID A,
VIII. PLECTOGNATHI.—Air-bladder- without open: duct. Opercular bones more or less
reduced; maxillary and premaxillary bones often firmly united. Pectoral arch suspended
from the skull ; no mesocoracoid arch. No ribs. Ventral fins thoracic and much reduced,
if present. Anterior vertebre distinct.
“Teeth forming a beak with a median suture; no ventral fins; body
CM ee at ee ee ee ee ee a el gO ey hed ERO DONTE,
For the convenience of the student who wishes to quickly determine the family to
which any given fish may belong, without troubling about anatomical characters, a
second synopsis has been prepared.
¥@)
|
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26 MORMYRID.
MALACOPTERYGITLI.
MORMYRIDZ:,
Margin of the upper jaw formed by the single premaxillary and the maxillaries, the
latter articulated above the former to the mesethmoid*; parietal bones separating
the supraoccipital from the frontals; a large hole on each side of the skull, between
the squamosal, the epiotic, and the exoccipital, covered by a large, thin, bony plate (the
supratemporal) ; symplectic absent; suboperculum small and hidden under the
operculum, or absent. No pharyngeal teeth. Opercular bones hidden under the
skin; gill-openings narrow. Anterior ribs sessile; epineurals, no epipleurals. Pectoral
fins directed upwards. Ventral fins with 6 or 7 rays. Air-bladder communicating
with the ear.
Curious-looking, highly aberrant Fishes, very variable in the form of the head and
body and in the extent of the vertical fins. Mouth often very small; teeth in jaws
usually few; teeth usually present on the parasphenoid, working against a similar
patch on the tongue; eye covered over by skin, or at least without free border,
sometimes very indistinct; scales small, cycloid; branchiostegal rays 4 to 8.
In most of the genera the vertebral column must be divided into three principal
regions :—1. ‘The precaudal proper; 2. An intermediate region with strongly developed
ribs attached to closed hemal arches, under which the posterior portion of the air-
bladder extends; 3. Ihe caudal proper. The second region does not exist in
Mormyrops and Gymnarchus. ‘The following is the number of vertebra in the Nile
species examined by Hyrtl ? and by myself :—
Mormyrops anguilloides . . . . «23-244 36-37 =59-61.
Petrocephaius bane... «2°... 9+4-64-27-29=42.
Mar cusentusaidort os= o> a ee LO EEE 8S
rr MCE SL ae. BP of >, Oca ede eels,
Gnathonemus cyprinoides. . . . .« 13-144+64+29=48-49,
ce longibarbis ~ w- . w. 6 445 2645.
ms MiGEE Sa ee ea LO Cae bee,
Mormyrus hasselguistti ©: . 2 *. .. V6484+27=51.
* For the nomenclature of the bones of skull, cf, Ridewood’s valuable paper in Journ. Linn. Soe., Zool.
xxix. 1904, p. 188.
+ Denkschr. Ak. Wien, xi. 1856, p. 1.
MORMY RIDA. QT
Mormyrus kannume . . . . . «© 12-18+7+480=49-50.
= cCaschwes: eo wo oe em, 194+-10431-32=54-58d;
Hyperopisus bebe. . . .. +. » I15-16+44-+-64+35-38=55-59,
Gymnarchus niloticus. . . . . . ~=45-474+67-75 =114-120.
The Mormyrids are remarkable for the enormous development of the brain and for
the problematic organ which surmounts it *; also as being among the few fishes in
which an electric organ has been discovered +. This organ, situated on each side of
the caudal region, is derived from the muscular system and is of feeble power; it was
long considered as “ pseudoelectric.”
The natural affinities of this family appear to be with the most generalised Teleosteans
(Elopide and Albulide). Dr. Ridewood’s careful study of the skull has not confirmed
the view of a particularly close relationship to the Albulide, which I formerly advocated.
There 1s no relationship with the Esocidz, near which the Mormyrs have been placed
by several authors, and nothing to justify the term “ Nil-Hechte” (Nile-Pike) which
has been bestowed on them by German writers.
Fig. 7.
nica — : —— - ge
——— Z SUT ly
. ¥ ON ij pe =
LO
Tail of a Mormyrus, with the skin removed to show the electric organ, in the form of two series of
oblique band-like plates (modified muscles). After G. Fritsch.
Over 190 species are known from the fresh waters of Tropical Africa and the Nile,
and are referred to two subfamilies and ten genera, seven of which are dealt with in
this work.
Very little is known of the habits of these fishes. Prof. G. Fritsch, of Berlin, during
his stay in Egypt for the purpose of experimenting on electric fishes, observed that they
perish very rapidly when removed from the river, and he had the greatest difficulty in
keeping some alive in an aquarium for two or three days. Capt. Flower has recently
* Cf. Oeflinger, Arch. f. Anat. a. Physiol. 1867, p. 713, and Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 52.
+ Cf. Babuchin, Arch. f. Physiol. 1877, p. 250; G. Fritsch, Sitzb. Ak, Berl. 1891, p. 941; and Ogneff,
Zeitschr. wiss. Zool. lxiv. 1898, p. 565.
he!
28 MORMYRIDZ.
been more fortunate, and the Mormyrs have proved a great success in the Gezira
aquarium, examples of three species, belonging to the genera Marcusenius, Gnatho-
nemus, and Mormyrus, having lived from ten to twenty-six months *. The species with
comparatively large mouths (Mormyrops, Gymnarchus) feed principally on fishes and
crustaceans, the others on tiny animals and vegetable and more or less decomposed
matter. Delhez, on the Congo, found that many are attracted to the borders of the
river in the neighbourhood of human dwellings, where they feed on the refuse thrown
into the water. It is probable that the species with a rostrum use it to procure small
prey hidden between stones or buried in the mud, and that the fleshy mental appendage
with which many are provided is a tactile organ compensating the imperfection of
the vision in the search for food. Until quite recently, absolutely nothing was known
of the breeding-habits and development. To the late J. S. Budgett we owe some very
interesting observations made in the Gambia on Gymnarchus niloticus.
Venerated by the ancient Egyptians, the Mormyrs are frequently represented on
hieroglyphics and mural paintings as well as in bronze models. The “ Oxyrhynchus ”
(Mormyrus kannume and M. caschive) are the most frequently depicted ; but repre-
sentations of the ‘“‘ Bana” (Petrocephalus bane) and of Gnathonemus cyprinoides and
Mormyrus hasselquistii also occur, the best being in the great fishing-scenes painted
on the walls of the tombs at Giza and Sapara ft. There is also a very recognizable
painting of the “Bana” in the Tomb of Ti, Sakkara, as I find from an unpublished
photograph in Prof. Flinders Petrie’s collection. .
Synopsis of the Genera.
I, Mormyrina.— Ventral, anal, and caudal fins present ; ‘teeth on the parasphenoid and on the
tongue ; vertebrze 37 to 64 ; peculiar (Gemmingerian) linear bones, along each side of the
tail, above and beneath the electric organ (cf. Pl. VII. fig. 3); scapular foramen in
the scapula, or between the scapula and the coracoid ; air-bladder simple.
A. Anal fin two-thirds to once and three-fourths the length of the dorsal, with more than
20 rays.
Mouth terminal or subinferior, with 10 cr more teeth in each ley :
nostrils remote from theeye. . . . . rats 1. Mormyrops, J. Miill.
Mouth inferior, with 10 or more teeth in the upper jaw id 13 or more
in the lower ; nostrils close together and close to the eye . . 2. Petrocephalus, Marcus.
Mouth inferior or subinferior, with 3 to 9 teeth in the upper jaw at
4. to 10 in the lower ; nostrils widely separated from each other . 3. Marcusenius, Gill.
Mouth terminal ; 3 to 10 teeth in the upper jaw, 4 to 10 in the lower ;
nostrils widely separated from each other . . . . . . . « 4. Gnathonemus, Gill.
———_ Eee ti ss
* Cf. Flower, 5th and 6th Ann. Rep. Zool. Gard. Giza (Cairo, 1904, 1905), pp. 39, 24, and Guide Gezira
Aquarium (Cairo, 1904), p. 3. |
+t Cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. (Pyramids of Giza, pl. ix., and Pyramids of Sapara, pl. xlvi.),
#
MORMYROPS. 29
B. Anal fin less than half the length of the dorsal, with not more
than. 26-rays3°mouth terminal 26.5 6 5 6 4 oe tos : 5. Mormyrus, L.
C. Anal fin more than five times the length of the dorsal, with
more than'50 mays; mouth terminal: a. 4: ooo6 p42 it, 26. Ayperomers, Gill,
II. Gymnarcurna.—Ventral, anal, and caudal fins absent ; no teeth
on the parasphenoid and tongue; vertebree more than 100 ;
Gemmingerian bones absent (cf. Pl. XIII.); scapular foramen
in {tlie -cormedid) 94. Hie ER SA SAE Bape SE esas ie Gai. Cy
1. MORMYROPS.
J. Miiller, Arch. f. Nat. 1843, p. 324 (part.) ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 780, and Poiss.
Bass. Congo, p. 56 (1901).
Oxymormyrus, Bleeker, Verh. Ak. Amsterd. (2) vii. 1874, p. 367.
Teeth in the jaws conical, truncate, or notched, forming a single complete series
on the entire edge of both jaws (10 to 86 in each); minute conical teeth on the
parasphenoid and on the tongue; mouth terminal or subinferior. Nostrils moderately
far apart, remote from the eye. Body more or less elongate; ventral fins equally
distant from the pectorals and from the anal, or nearer the former. Anal fin longer
than the dorsal. Vertebre 56-62 (21-24+ 31-39).
This genus is represented by 17 species, most of which inhabit the Congo. Only
one species is found in the Nile. |
1. MORMYROPS ANGUILLOIDES.
(Plate V. fig. 1.)
Mormyrus anguilloides, Linneeus, Mus. Ad. Frid. ii, p. 110 (1764), and Syst. Nat. i. p. 522 (1766) ;
I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 274, pl. vii. fig. 2 (1827); Rifaud, Voy. Egypte,
pl. clxxxvii. fig. 2 (1836); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 258 (1846); Marcusen,
Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vil. 1864, no. 4, p. 132 ; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 257
(1869).
Mormyrus dendera, Lacepede, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 621 (1803).
Mormyrops anguilloides, Marcusen, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. xii. 1854, p. 14; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi.
p- 233 (1866) ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 782.
Marcusenius anguilloides, Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 444.
Depth of body five to six and a half times in the total length, length of head four
times. Head once and two-thirds to nearly twice as long as deep, the upper profile
slightly concave; snout rounded, one-fifth to one-fourth the length of the head,
30 MORMYRIDZA.
scarcely projecting beyond the mouth; width of the mouth nearly equal to or less than
the length of the snout; teeth more or less distinctly notched, 20 to 24 in each jaw;
eye small, situated in the anterior third of the eye, its diameter twice and a half to
three times in length of snout, twice to three times in interocular width. Dorsal fin
with 25 to 28 rays, its base three-fifths to two-thirds that of the anal, originating twice
to twice and one-fourth as far from the end of the snout as from the root of the caudal
fin. Anal fin with 59 to 42 rays, originating considerably in advance of the dorsal, its
tenth to twelfth ray corresponding to the first of the latter, and at equal distance from
the head and the root of the caudal. Both the dorsal and anal fins deepest in front,
but not pointed. Pectoral fin rounded or very obtusely pointed, one-half to three-
fifths the length of the head; ventral about one-third the length of the head. Caudal
fin rather small, with rounded lobes, for the greater part covered with scales. Caudal
peduncle two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, about twice as long as deep.
16-20
87 to 96 scales in the lateral line, 55. in a transverse series on the body, in front of
14-16
, [>] IM a transverse series between dorsal and anal fins, 20 round
caudal peduncle.
Rifaud represents the fish as olive above, reddish flesh-colour below. According
the ventral fins
to Mr. Loat’s notes taken at the village of Sanhur, near Beni Souef, the upper parts
are of a dark greyish brown, tinged with green on the head, the lower parts
whitish, the whole fish being covered with minute black dots, especially in the dorsal
region.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 310 millimetres. Rifaud figures
one 330 millim. in length.
M. anguilloides is known only from the Nile north of the First Cataract, and does not
seem to be found anywhere in great abundance. Geoffroy’s specimens were obtained
in the Nile near Dendera, and G. Fritsch has recorded it from the Delta.
This species is represented in the rivers of East and West Africa and in Lake Chad
by the very closely allied MW. deliciosus, Leach, first discovered in the Congo, which
differs in its much larger size, measuring up to 14 metres, and in the lower number
(16 or 18) of scales round the caudal peduncle.
The food consists chiefly of small fishes and crustaceans, the larger mouth and the
stronger dentition being better suited to predatory habits than is the case in the other
Mormyrids of the Nile, Gymnarchus excepted.
Several specimens, from Enbabah, have been kept in the Gezira Aquarium.
Capt. Flower says they are of very retiring habits and spend most of the day hidden
under the rock-work of the tank, only coming out to feed at dusk.
According to Rifaud the name of the fish is ‘‘ Gamona ” or “ Mons” ( . ys). According
to Loat it is called “ Mimpz” (_jss3) at Beni Souef, and “ Gum-hurr” (_,a>) at Luxor
and Assuan. According to Flower it is called ‘‘ Anooma” by the Cairo fishermen.
Co He aH eb
he
MORMYROPS.
List of specimens examined :—
al
Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
Nile near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 19.8.04.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 27.8.99-9.9.99.
Sanhur, nr. Beni Souef.—Loat, 9.9.99.
Luxor.—Loat, 27.10.00-3.11.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 22.8.00, 28.9.00.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Zr: 2. ho eee . 6. 7.
Total length Gvrthout: caudal) sos stecc aie oh eae Oe ore oe ee ee 245 |215 /210 /200 {175 {170 |155
Greatest depth at body <6 «3 ses cis cocks Greg) Sees oe a ee koe 49 | 43 | 42 | 35 | 82 | 32 | 33
heneth ot fread. cocci ase is aa es ree ee 60 | 55 | 54 | 52 | 46 | 44 | 38
Witt Or Heat eco: Saracen eke ees Saud ee es are he, SR ae ere a: ZO ee Pe ie eG
Lepath ge Snbulh. 2 -.:.- . : Gees Sertens wag! geal ay tae Spee Tee leet al 2 al ee 9
Diameter Ov OVe. Lo. 5 ae te Ga cee eign at re ar a ns ee Be ada ae a Ag
Interocular width ..... sspetas agile eng toe oe aay asa ee tes eer ae a ig ee 9)
Weldibh eb eG: yok a ue tae Ge Soe! cms hee) neue, ig ae gie S JA ee ie Sg
Leneth of caudal pedumele”. 2 t-5 ee Ss oy eee Caen es 29 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 20
Depth of caudal pedumele * | .c 5-0 2-4Se OE at sire trae ey 1321S LO relies 0
heneth: of peciaralhn 4s oie are on sae cera mn ee Arete Pere ears 33 | 30 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22
Number sof pays ma thoneal Wi! 20208 Sa a a erate oo ee, 27) 26274 BO 27 a 27.48
* Pie 29 eb! oF ae ede ANE Say. anh Wiel gah : na] Se ee | ae ae ae 0S
e Sirah A Pa CUS Se a es 3 dee ee ain te ke aie as 96 | 91 | 90 | 95 | 96 | 87 | 88 |
sg , from the middle of the back to the lateral line 207 Ag eto. £7 ee 10 ee |
at a is lateral line to the middle of the belly ..| 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 |
2 5, between dorsal fin and lateral line ............ 16 | 14/14) 14 |} 16) 15} 16 |
Ks Z » lateral line and anal fin ............../ 18 | 13 | 18 | 12 | 18 | 14 | 13 |
Ps 5 . Pou camel pedandle: no ee Pa Se PO eZ! POs are |: BO S054. 328 |
1,3. Luxor.—Loat. 2, Assuan.—Loat. 4. Nile—Ruppell. 5. Cairo.—Flower.
DK
6, 7. Sanhur.—Loat.
32 MORMYRID &.
2. PETROCEPHALUS.
Marcusen, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. xii. 1854, p. 14 (part.) ; Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 443 ;
Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 787, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 70 (1901).
Teeth in the jaws bicuspid, forming a single complete or nearly complete series on
the entire edge of both jaws (10 to 24 in the upper jaw, 18 to 36 in the lower);
minute conical teeth on the parasphenoid and on the tongue; mouth inferior, situated
below the eyes. Nostrils close together, close to the eye. Body short; ventral fins
nearer the pectorals than the anal. Dorsal and anal fins not very unequal in length.
Vertebree 42-44 (9-12 4+ 4-6+ 27-29).
Ten species are known, four of which are represented in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Anal fin originating in advance of dorsal.
Dorsal 29-33 ; anal 31-37; diameter of eye less than interocular width
Dorsal 22-26 ; anal 30-35; diameter of eye less than interocular width
Dorsal 25; anal 38-39; diameter of eye equal to interocular width .
. P. bane, Lacep.
. P. bovei, C. & V.
. P. keatingii, Bler.
©o bo ee
II. First dorsal and anal rays in the same vertical.
Dorsal 19 ; anal 27 ; diameter of eye less than interocular width .
ph
. P. degeni, Blgr.
1. PETROCEPHALUS BANE.
(Plate VI. fig. 1.)
Mormyrus bane, Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 620 (1803) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. XIX.
p. 276 (1846) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 220 (1866), and Petherick’s Trav. 1. p. 254 (1869).
Mormyrus cyprinoides (non Linneus), I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 277, pl. vill. figs. 3 & 4
(1827). |
Mormyrus dequesne, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 281.
Mormyrus joannisi, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 282.
Mormyrus ehrenbergii, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 283.
Petrocephalas bane, Marcusen, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. xii. 1854, p. 14, and Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7)
xii. 1864, no. 4, p. 146; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 788.
Petrocephalus dequesne, Marcusen, Bull. p. 14.
Petrocephalus dejoannis, Marcusen, |. c.
Petrocephalus ehrenbergu, Marcusen, I. c.
Body very strongly compressed, its depth twice and a half to three and one-third
times in the total length; length of head three and three-fourths to four and a half
PETROCEPHALUS. 33
times in the total length. Head as long as deep or a little deeper than long, about
twice as long as broad; snout very short, one-sixth to one-fifth the length of the head,
rounded, projecting beyond the mouth; mouth situated below the eye, its width one-
fifth to two-sevenths the length of the head; teeth bicuspid, 14 to 22 in the upper
jaw, 22 to 30 in the lower; nostrils close together, on a Jevel with or a little above the
lower border of the eye; eye large, longer than the snout, its diameter one-fourth to
two-sevenths the length of the head, and two-thirds to five-sixths the interocular width.
Dorsal fin with 29 to 33 rays, originating above the third to tenth ray of the anal, its
length once and a half to twice in its distance from the head; anterior rays longest,
giving the fin a falcate appearance. Anal fin with 31 to 37 rays, equally distant from
the base of the ventral and from the base of the caudal; the anterior rays longest, the
fin being falcate like the dorsal in females ; in males, the longest rays form a rounded
lobe and pass more gradually into the short posterior rays, and the base of the fin is
strongly sinuous. Pectoral fin pointed, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
head, about twice as long as the ventral, and extending beyond the vertical of the base
of the latter. Caudal fin scaled at the base, with pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle
twice and two-thirds to three times as long as deep, two-thirds to four-fifths the length
of the head. 39 to 50 scales in the lateral line, aoe in a transverse series on the body,
11-15
12-15
peduncle.
In spirit, the fish is silvery, with the back brown, and the extremity of the anterior
dorsal rays brownish or blackish. In life, according to Mr. Loat’s notes, it has a pure
silvery-white appearance, with the dorsal surface greyish, owing to vast numbers of
in a transverse series between dorsal and anal, 10 or 12 round the caudal
minute dark dots.
The largest specimen examined by me, a female full of spawn, measures 225 millim.,
whilst no male exceeds 190 millim.
I have counted the fin-rays in eighty specimens: of dorsal rays, 29 occur ten times,
30 nineteen times, 31 twenty-seven times, 52 sixteen times, and 33 eight times; of
anal rays 31 and 32 occur once, 33 twelve times, 34 twenty-nine times, 35 twenty-six
times, 36 seven times, and 37 four times.
Petrocephalus bane is known from the Nile proper, the Blue Nile, the White Nile,
the Chad basin, and the Niger. I have examined specimens from the following
localities :— )
1 Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
4 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
£ Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 28-30.7.99.
1 Nile 8. of Cairo, bought in Old Cairo fish-bazar.—Loat, 27.3.99.
38 Wasta.—Loat, 28.8.99.
5 Beni Souef.—Loat, 20.8.99, 9.9.99.
‘oIpeqy—aesiny aoddg ‘eqqor ‘6 “Logo {—"wunzyey yg
MORMYRIDZ.
o4
ee ag EEE ova Le ‘qyvory—"Jonog tueg °Q "JVOT—'OTIN' JO YouRA vAOSOY ‘S
*jeory—"uvnssY puv Joxn'T ueemyog ‘OT "JVOT-—"O]INT ONT ‘ouIpeTT prem *y, ‘Ge yVoT—'vjsuMm ‘9 ‘FST
Gly Ol Se SOE ee Oe CRS OL IR GI) ta cP eT fal SRE tie 28? a8 a OR AAR Sa aera er (hese IT sec z
Yi GL FL lat el FI as éI oL FI GIT jcc tt ttt Uy peue pue oury [e1e4¢y] ~ bi "
Gl rea &L ae eae VI SI lat SI SI GI | (‘itt '¢t* eUuly [eleqey pus uy [essop usemyjoq =“ «
Pr | PE | FE | ST | FE | FE | OL | Of | FT | ST | ST j** Aqteq 9} Jo opppret oy} oq our] [etozey * eC i
PL rea ol SL IT ol ol lat GL éL CT |* OUT] [e10zv] O44 04 Youq eYyy JO 9[pplut oy} Wort bs
G IF oP SP ran IF OF ran OF aa Pp [octet trees eects eees cesses s+ ouip peaeqey UT seqtos ¢
Ge ike 1e Ze Le ee 9¢ re 98 ce ne eee e eter ee eter eee er eres cp reue | « 66
eelmeet (eee laps hae oe ok Mae heaeedl eae ee ea ees DR Rt ae eae
91 Ie SG G6 LG 8G && 06 96 96 i MR RAEI Ot a ea eee en age ei a eno a eo
9 us ps 6 6 OT OL Il eT eT rT ATOMS ee Goth eso ina sje le he eine a) sy op Ageip seed ptan tata ejaunped epnvo jo yydeq
LI 0% Bn. Oe 9g 97 6Z ee ae 9¢ en See Ie 2 ‘+++ giounped jepnv jo yySuerT
G 9 x Q OT G OT IT ral Il pa gt das, eee veeereses+ yqour Jo TIpLA
J ! 6 6 II II II ral rT rT ep fr nS GE Pa oe ies Pere eee eee ese qaptay avpnoo1e4qUy
9 9 0 9 6 6 6 6 OT 1 or [roc Ra We Mr Ones Preeereeeseses Qo 30 gogouInICT
° sig a G a) vi: yg 1 be Q Q Bo SCRE emecHir nt Dehae btlatcW Het an poesia ues ier ak Say ON Mann nL ae qnous jo yysuory
fat | me) ot | at | at | oe a | ew | ae | ag ferret ee
Ca a PS Oe GE Te 1g 68 OP OF OF ne hee ean eect tees sss se 64 Deon Io UysMOry
O& cE GP Ve 6G LS 09 co eo 89 02 aad ii opal i”. is Boia sreeeees £poq Jo WyWdep 4sejvary
08 OOL | SIE | ogt] oft] ost] ost A aa RS 6 I ee Si oe AR eR a coseresceces (UY Tepnes qnogyiar) qySus] [eqIOT,
ye OL 6 8 L 9 g v '€ 6 id
‘saynas pun shos-uyf fo saaqunu pup (sorjour[iut UL) spuauainsna py
PETROCEPHALUS. 39
&©
Sanhur, near Beni Souef.—Loat, 5.9.99.
Lahun, on the Bahr Yusuf, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
Luxor.—Loat, 26.10.00, 3.11.00.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9.00.
Near Assuan.—Loat, 30.12.99, 27.8.00, 12.9.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Omdurman.—Loat, 20.12.00.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 7.10.01.
Rosaires, Blue Nile-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Shederah, White Nile—Loat, 31.12.00.
Between Khartum and Sobat R.—Zaphiro, 1-2.04.
In a kore at Fashoda.—Loat, 3.01.
Tewfikyeh, White Nile.—Loat, 22.1.01.
Yo R., Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
KOoONrRwnwun
1
fe
en SO oe a a
Females appear to be much more common than males. A great number obtained
at Wasta at the end of August had the abdomen distended with roe evidently just
ready for shedding, each egg measuring about 2 millimetres in diameter. Other
breeding specimens were obtained at Sanhur and Beni Souef in the beginning of
September.
Petrocephalus bane is probably the most common species of Mormyr in the Lower
Nile, or rather, perhaps, that which is most easily caught by the fishermen, who
confound it with P. dove: and with Marcusenius isidori. The following list of native
names is furnished by Mr. Loat:—“ Bona” (a), at Cairo and at Barrage N. of
Cairo; “bana” (ly), at Assiut and Cairo; ‘“ boodna” (ie), at Assiut; “sow” (ww),
also known by this name at Cairo and at Barrage N. of Cairo; “duma” (A0y3)s
at Kafr-el-Zayat; “ rhoaser” ( puget), at Assiut ; “ rhoaster-el-hager” ( a due), at
?
Assiut and Omdurman (at Assiut the word “ ddndé” refers to big specimens, and
b 29
“rhoaser” and ‘‘rhoaster-el-hager” to small ones); “ rhat-el-moose” (_w Wl 2),
sometimes known by this name in Egypt; “hager” (=>), at Beni Souef, Lahun on
the Babr Yusuf in the Fayum ; “ ar-min-ya” (‘aic'), at Assuan; “ bed-doi-yar,” on the
Blue Nile.
o6 MORMYRIDA.
2, PETROCEPHALUS BOVEI.
(Plate VIII. fig. 1.)
Mormyrus bovei, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 283 (1846); Giinther, Petherick’s
Tray. ii. p. 255 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 553.
Petrocephalus bovet, Marcusen, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. xii. 1854, p. 14; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc.
1898, p. 789.
Depth of body three to three and a half times in the total length, length of head
four to four and a half times. Head as long as deep, about twice as long as broad ;
snout very short, one-seventh to one-fifth the length of the head, rounded, projecting
beyond the mouth; mouth situated below the eye, its width two-sevenths to one-fourth
the length of the head; teeth bicuspid, 10 to 14 in the upper jaw, 16 to 20 in the
lower ; nostrils close together, on a level with the lower border of the eye; eye large,
longer than the snout, its diameter three and a half to four and a half times in the
length of the head, once and one-fourth to once and three-fifths in the interocular
width. Dorsal fin with 22 to 26 rays, originating above the fifth to eighth ray of the
anal, its length once and a half to twice in its distance from the head; anterior rays
longest, the fin pointed in front. Anal fin with 30 to 35 rays, equally distant from
the base of the ventral and from the base of the caudal, or a little nearer the latter ;
the anterior rays longest, the fin falcate in females, less distinctly so in males,
Pectoral fin pointed, two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head, nearly twice as
Jong as the ventral, and extending beyond tbe vertical of the base of the latter.
Caudal fin scaled at the base, with pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle twice and a half
to three times as long as deep, two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head. 38 to
43 scales in the lateral hne, ae in a transverse series on the body, ae in a transverse
series between dorsal and anal, 10 or 12 round the caudal peduncle.
The coloration is uniform silvery, the kack a little darker, the fins white. A sketch
taken by the late P. Delhez on the Senegal shows a little pink at the base of the
pectoral and caudal fins; the iris is silvery and the pupil orange.
This species does not appear to exceed a length of 120 millimetres,
Originally described from specimens obtained by Geoffroy St.-Hilaire and by Bové
in the Lower Nile, the species has since been found in the Senegal and in the Gambia.
I have examined the following specimens, preserved in the British Museum :—
1 Kafr-el-Zayat, Rosetta branch of Nile.—Loat, 14.11.99.
10 Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
1 McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1900.
I have also been able to examine the type specimens, eleven in number, badly
PETROCEPHALUS. Q7
preserved, in the Paris Museum. They measure from 83 to 100 millimetres. I have
noted 22-26 dorsal and 30-33 anal rays, and scale formula: 38-40 . ae 18.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
opal lenath (without euidal hn). 6664 aw eg ee eS wks
Crréeatest depth.of body. < es Grose sv cs ts pre se mi gorge ese
ORG OL ROAD lates) a ht ee Be ee «eee aah bee 2 wis
Width of head ..... tee ats Gt gor oes es Bate ees eet ae
TJGMO ROE BINGUE” 5") Vilas ene bP H OG oe aT as Sere Oe ae tee aa
PASS AVS acne vb eee aa eis ee ed ote ee
Interocular width .....-i...:. SPAT GN Me ee Care ae Beta gs eee ed ae
Wii OE INGEN. acc eS ots Foe ee ee tT ah, ioe ea eee, a ieee |
Length of caudal peduncle ..... Bek eek nee. reine ee
Depth of caudal péduncle —«.2 5.4.0.0. 5 tai Oils pas eee
Demeth GE pectoral in six. knees eres tis ees REE seen pees
Nwmber- OF Pays Fe eten IN oy tei deds ie eras Cue meres ou) as
os 55 'y/ 2 tgs Ge ee se oe ee ee
i SGrae a th latotak ies oe oe on ae a ea 42 | Al 40 A] 4]
is ,, trom the middle of the back to the lateral line .. 9 10 ) 10 10
. e », lateral line to the middle of the belly ..; 14 11 12 12 12
3 ,, between dorsal fin and lateral line |
= i, a lateral dine dnd. Sal fit 2. oo a 10 10 9 10 11
és », round caudal peduncle ........ Ree? ca ake 10 12 | alee 12
1, 3,5. Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez. AL Gambia.— Budeett.
2. Kafr-el-Zayat, Nile.—Loat. hee
Considering that this little Mormyr is found also in the Senegal and in the Gambia,
it is very remarkable that it should be restricted to the Lower Nile. It will probably
some day be found to have a much more extended distribution in the Nile.
38 MORMYRID&.
3. PETROCEPHALUS KBATINGIL.
(Plate VIII. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 44-4.
Depth of body two and four-fifths to three times in the total length, length of head
four to four and one-third times. Head as long as deep, twice as Jong as broad;
snout very short, one-sixth or one-seventh the length of the head, rounded, projecting
beyond the mouth ; mouth situated below the eye, its width two-sevenths the length
of the head; teeth bicuspid, 16 in the upper jaw, 26 in the lower; nostrils close
together, on a level with the lower border of the eye; eye large, longer than the snout,
its diameter one-fourth the length of the head, equal to the interocular width.
Dorsal fin with 25 rays, originating above the fifteenth ray of the anal, its length twice
in its distance from the head; anterior rays longest, the fin pointed in front. Anal
fin with 38 or 39 rays, equally distant from the base of the ventral and from the base
of the caudal, or a little nearer the latter, the anterior rays longest. Pectoral fin
pointed, four-fifths the length of the head, twice as long as the ventral and extending
beyond the vertical of the base of the latter. Caudal fin scaled at the base, with
pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle twice and a half as long as deep, two-thirds the
length of the head. 41 to 44 scales in the lateral line, = in a transverse series on
we
the body, s5 1m a transverse series between dorsal and anal, 10 or 12 round the caudal
peduncle,
Coloration silvery, the back and the anterior rays of the dorsal darker.
Measurements (in millimetres).
orien seule writment. Candee ee et ee ee OS
Gucatestede pte: holy; tae Seen ee ae ee. Oe O
Fire ace ie ag a ag eee et eee yg ee eo, - A
Width of head 12
Length PASO bore Sh recaey etre Seat on PR Ste Ate Pete eyo, Oe
Diameter of eye . 6
up 3y00\( SR SSW Cgas 00 did Sigeee ay Matti g Sede <n i ca eee ecaaen Whn ae t aka y ae
Width of mouth . ere 7
deetestiteo camer pedinele So- 1 tea he es ee
Depth oncomucal peace Ay eae <6 tte be eg ay Ee
SOTO OLR CROUG I FM taro ne ae ae seie: afte | ea ST a Gg ee
This species, named in honour of the Director of the Government Medical School
at Cairo, was founded on two specimens, of the same size, obtained in a kore at
Fashoda by Mr. Loat between March 14th and 31st, 1901. <A third specimen was
obtained in the White Nile, between Khartum and the Sobat by Mr. Zaphiro in
January or February 1904, and forms part of the collection presented to the British
Museum by Mr. W. N. McMillan.
PETROCEPHALUS., od
4, PETROCEPHALUS DEGENI.
(Plate X. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 434.
Depth of body three and a half times in the total length, length of head three and
three-fourths times. Head as long as deep, twice as long as broad; snout very short,
about one-sixth the length of the head, rounded, projecting beyond the mouth;
mouth situated below the eye, its width one-fourth the length of the head; teeth
bicuspid, 10 in the upper jaw, 22 in the lower; nostrils close together, on a level with
the lower border of the eye; eye rather large, longer than the snout, its diameter four
and a half times in the length of the head, once and a half in the interorbital width.
Dorsal fin with 19 rays, originating above first ray of anal, its length twice and one-
third in its distance from the head; anterior rays longest, the fin pointed in front.
Anal fin with 27 rays, equally distant from the base of the ventral and from the base
of the caudal; anterior rays longest. Pectoral fin pointed, about two-thirds the
length of the head, twice as long as the ventral, and extending beyond the vertical
of the base of the latter. Caudal fin with pointed lobes, Caudal peduncle twice and
a half as long as deep, three-fourths the length of the head. 41 scales in the lateral
line, 2 in a transverse series on the body; 2 in a transverse series between dorsal and
anal, 12 round the caudal peduncle.
Silvery; back dark grey; fins grey.
A single specimen, 88 millim. long, from the mouth of the Katonga River, north-
west of Lake Victoria, Nov. 5, 1905, forms part of the very important collection made
by Mr. E. Degen. |
Measurements (in millimetres),
Totallenosh Grithout eamulal fim ss—. 9 2 spi a is te 8
CEPSALORG COM rl OIy a es Sa we eg ee ee ge Ok
heneth of head wagons oa coy eee eee ae ee
PTAC AS Cee ce gat Gre ing eee, ee ee on ee ns ge cee eas Sree a
TiO POF SIO ogc Se a= as a eS ee Dee
Diameter of eye . Athen ee spe el eer erin Se
Paterna rs 6 bn sts a a ee ee ee eee ee
Width of mouth . ei cee Be aang ORY og ee a ety
Lietrouh an enue Dem INCL soe nn as pe aes a ee ae ee
Deptt. -oatonenoctiiore esse 5 oe oe ee ge
Lewoth or peer ite ono ske a ge ge eee 16
P. degeni is easily distinguished from its congeners by its short dorsal fin originating
above the first ray of the anal.
40 MORMYRIDZ.
3. MARCUSENIUS.
Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 129 ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 792, and Poiss. Bass.
Congo, p. 74 (1901).
Heteromormyrus, Steindachner, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xvi. 1866, p. 765.
Teeth in the jaws small, truncate or notched (3 to 9 in the upper jaw, 4 to 10 in
the lower); minute conical teeth on the parasphenoid and on the tongue; mouth
inferior or subinferior, below the level of the eyes. Nostrils widely separated. Body
short or moderately elongate; ventral fins midway between pectorals and anal, or
nearer the former. Dorsal and anal fins subequal in length, or either the one or
the other the longer. Vertebree 837-46 (9-12-+ 4-54-2330).
Twenty-three species are known, four of which are represented in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. 16 to 20 scales round caudal peduncle ; anal originating in advance of dorsal; posterior nostril
close to the eye.
Dorsal 15-18; anal 23-25; lateral line 46-53 ; caudal peduncle two-
thirds to three-fourths length of head ee git x
Dorsal 18-22 ; anal 22-26; lateral line 58-60; caudal peduncle four-
Pirhe 40 once leucth-of Mead ,- €2 20 266 ke ee a isidori, O. & V.
1. M. nigricans, Bigr.
II. 12 scales round caudal peduncle ; posterior nostril remote from the eye.
Dorsal 31, anal 81, both fins originating in the same vertical ; lateral
line 87. (x Gs Saget ne fh RE brie Wome eS 3. M. harrington, Bler
Dorsal 34-36 ; anal 24-26; dorsal originating far in advance of anal ;
eral iain hd ee ee ee ew cae An ML potheries, Blan.
1, MARCUSENIUS NIGRICANS.
(Plate Px) ig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 454.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three to three anda half times in the total
length; length of head four to four and one-third times in the total length.
Head as long as deep, not quite twice as long as broad; snout about one-fifth
the length of the head, rounded, projecting beyond the mouth; mouth situated
below the nostrils, its width about four times in the length of the head; teeth small,
bicuspid, 7 in the upper jaw, 8 in the lower; anterior nostril on a line with the
centre of the eye, midway between the latter and the end of the snout; posterior
nostril a little lower down, close to the eye ; eye moderate, as long as the snout, one-half
MARCUSENIUS. Al
to three-fifths the interocular width. Dorsal fin with 15 to 18 rays, originating above
the fifth or sixth ray of anal, its length about two-fifths its distance from the head;
anterior rays longest, forming an obtuse point. Anal fin with 24 or 25 rays, nearly
equally distant from the base of the ventral and from that of the caudal; the fin more
pointed in front in females than in males. Pectoral fin pointed, subfalcate, as long as
or a little shorter than the head, twice to twice and a half as long as the ventral and
extending beyond the root of the latter. Caudal fin scaled at the base, with pointed
lobes. Caudal peduncle twice and a half to twice and two-thirds as long as deep,
two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head. 46 to 53 scales in the lateral line,
10-11 . 10519. ;
jis In a transverse series on the body, jp; in a transverse series between dorsal and
anal, 16 to 20 round caudal peduncle.
Uniform blackish brown.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Tove: leaais (wiHheut caudal tiny 20 ia ee oo ek ee ee BO 85-4 eet 62 Br 7s
Cred OebiGe nen Oe DOU ita in A coe ee on a eee et ee 20 201 Bi, e214. 25 | 22
Renghieiheed 22 ins aie. he. FLL DB TEA i ter SAU RS e 23. E29 20° aoe) EO 20
WAGEUL OD ORE: A trcaase Pa yi es okie ae nie el ee fae ee ee For tae ee ee
caer Ol Rng ae coe oa atin ona ea eee ae nc ene, a eee 5| 4| 4; 4] 4] 4
Psion ofleuersy eck diy daa eae oie: wee eee 5|. 4), 4/4) 4).4
iviveroralee With tia tiene ee oil a ee ee ee SG I a aa Bal aber el ete wees
TREO R ONGEM os gen ele tee Re eee ey OO eee co er Oo
Begeth ot exumalpedimete on . fae dioccs on te ase ek ee 16: ja lG. I | 1 1S 2 15
Papth; oF cantall peduncle (243 ts. Sa, ak aL A ee eis A G3) SOy Sst Gc eG 36
Rensen Or Decora Be os nie cei gael aren Bee Cee Reta i te eee eo eke ee) boom for aS
Number of rays in dorsal fin ............ Bibs acm cline a Serer eee - Dole Ee owe ely Sige kei ce Me
. if Oh OPED OE eG. Vora Seb cta? ac hae Sd ey 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 95 | 25
os Gaglae Be pee ige fo. . Mein de Cia okies aeib sw ce mek 52 | 52: |- 50:4 51 | 50: | 53
3 »» trom the middle of the back to the lateral line ...... 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10
ze = », lateral line to the middle of the belly ...... cE kes Sok SS a se 2
i », between dorsal fin and lateral line ................ pet oes bl ae Pg eg eee 8
| e 55 vont | lateral live pach analetittn © gee odes lake, TO. al el LO ae a)
| ns oy SOUHO CHHELE DCUUNCIS igltas cue ancee ere ott, 18°) 18 1°20 | Le s=h20
42 MORMYRID&.
Seventeen specimens, measuring from 80 to 93 millimetres, were obtained by
Mr. E. Degen at the mouth of the Katonga River, at the north-west of Lake Victoria,
on Nov. 5, 1905.
This species is very closely allied to M. isidori, but differs in the shorter dorsal fin,
the shorter caudal peduncle, the larger mouth, and generally fewer scales in the
lateral line. |
2, MARCUSENIUS ISIDORI.
(Plate VII. fig. 1.)
Mormyrus isidori, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 285 (1846) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi.
p- 221 (1866), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 256 (1869).
Petrocephalus isidori, Marcusen, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. xii. 1854, p. 14, and Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb.
(7) vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 150, pl. v. fig. 20.
Marcusenius isidori, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 798.
Body strongly compressed, its depth twice and three-fourths to three and one-third
times in the total length; length of head four to four and a half times in the total length.
Head as long as deep, nearly twice as long as broad; snout one-fifth to one-fourth
the length of the head, rounded, projecting beyond the mouth; mouth situated below
the nostrils, its width four and a half to five times in the length of the head; teeth
small, bicuspid, 7 in the upper jaw, 8 in the lower; anterior nostril on a line with the
centre of the eye, midway between the latter and the end of the snout; posterior
nostril close to the eye, near its lower border; eye moderate, as long as the snout, one-
half to three-fifths the interocular width. Dorsal fin with 18 to 22 rays, originating
above third or fourth ray of anal, its length about half its distance from the head;
anterior rays longest, forming a point. Anal fin with 22 to 26 rays, nearly equally
distant from the base of the ventral and from that of the caudal; the fin more pointed
in front in females than in males. Pectoral fin pointed, subfalcate, as long as ora
little shorter than the head, twice to twice anda half as long as the ventral, and
extending beyond the root of the latter. Caudal fin scaled at the base, with pointed
lobes. Caudal peduncle twice and a half to three times as long as deep, as long as
or a little shorter than the head. 53 to 60 scales in the lateral line, — eau)
(1218.
transverse series on the body, jjj5 in a transverse series between dorsal and anal,
16 or 18 round caudal peduncle.
As preserved in spirit, this little Mormyr is brown on the back and silvery white
beneath, uniform or dotted with brown. A living specimen sent by Capt. Flower to
Capt. Vipan was of a purplish grey above, strongly iridescent, the fins colourless and
transparent. |
100 millimetres appears to be the greatest length reached by this species.
MARCUSENIUS,
43
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
| eer os ars ear
| a
‘Potal lenethi(yathoutcaudaliiny= SRG. 2 tree re. ers yes 90 | 84 | 80 | 77 | 70 | 65 | 50
Greatest depth of body ...........,446- gL Ae AR ee B31 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 24) 20 | 17
henath-of Wetd.- i253 :d0 oso Sel gee oe eee ere es 2120 Bh 16 Ay tp ats
| Width of ead: a5 5 eins ee ee ee ee ee 1g As la ee AE
Pength of enem).2e kta es i a es des Be 4} 4} 4]; 4+] 84 33) 3
Diatieterot Gye 2 coer ci ee. ee eae ea ees Sie god A 34; 34) 38
Intero@ilarWwidhh. 55555. ke opaieas ss ook ee ee eee Ti) Soy eT 20) 0) 8
Widtethr Iota eae ee oe irae ena ns we Bea gt 4 Ono
Length of caudal peduncle ..................e005e. reser OO tee 17 15 158 18s 1d
Depth ot caudalopeduncelé 225 aN oid en @ tr eee P42 6b) 65 Do Seber se
Leveeh ‘of pectoral fn (etek cen ees oa pes ee ee ee O07 20 18 10s tb ta
PINE ber Or tay I Gree tess 58 sire 8 cc oe aca ecg as ee pa 19/19 119 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 |
6 go a ES eo ess aah ee ca Fie Seed ee ee Q4 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 24
Ss scales: ip lateral line... 5. ako iets Bie 56 | 57 | 54 | 55 | 55 | 54 | 53
Rs ,». from the middle of the back to the lateral line ..| 11 | 10] 11 | 10/11/11) 11
f 3 », lateral line to the middle of the belly ..| 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15) 15
5 », between dorsal fin and lateral line ............ 1 5 eid ey bs a eae Fy Ss Se a)
3 es =... wateral ling and anal fin 45-50% ee ce dof Sea ee ies eee ee eS ee one
oe we BOMNH Chitdal peduncle. oo. See ee ee 18 | 16/18 | 16/18 | 16 | 16
1. Rosetta branch of Nile.—Loat. 4, Assuan.—Loat.
2. Lower Nile.—Riippell. 5-7. Luxor.—Loat.
3. Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat.
Having counted the dorsal and anal fin-rays in fifty specimens I find two specimens
with 18 dorsal rays, twelve with 19, twenty with 20, fifteen with 21, one with 22:
two specimens with 22 anal rays, four with 23, twenty-one with 24, twenty with 25,
and three with 26.
This species occurs throughout the Nile from Gondokoro to the Delta.
been found in the Blue Nile.
It has not
>
bo
44 MORMYRIDZ.
List of specimens examined :—
» Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
)» Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 28.7.99.
3 Nile near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 19.8.04.
1 Lahun, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
9 Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
102. Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10.00-12.11.00.
16 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
1 Assuan.—Loat, 2.10.00.
2 Lake No, White Nile.—Loat, 22.2.01.
2 Gondokoro.—Loat, 8.2.02.
Called ‘* Anooma” by the Cairo fishermen, according to Capt. Flower, who observes
that this little fish seems to bear captivity well.
Many specimens have been kept in the Gezira aquarium. ‘They spend most of
their time suspended in mid-water, with all their fins and tail in perpetual motion, but
occasionally for a short time they will lie on the bottom of the tank with fins
motionless. They feed on finely chopped-up earth-worms.”
3. MARCUSENIUS HARRINGTONI.
(Plate IX. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xv. 1905, p. 457.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and four-fifths times in the total length;
length of head five and one-third times in the total length. Head as long as deep,
once and two-thirds as long as broad; snout rounded, two-sevenths the length of the
head, projecting beyond the mouth; mouth situated below the nostrils, its width
four times in the length of the head; teeth small, bicuspid, 5 in the upper jaw,
6 in the lower; anterior nostril on a line with the lower border of the eye, posterior
nostril a little lower down; the distance between the anterior nostril and the end of
the snout equals that between the posterior nostril and the eye and exceeds the distance
between the two nostrils ; eye moderate, its diameter three-fifths the length of the snout
and half the interocular width. Dorsal fin with 31 rays, its origin corresponding to
that of the anal, its length nearly two-thirds its distance from the head; anterior rays
longest, two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 33 rays, equally: distant from
the base of the ventral and from that of the caudal; the anterior rays forming a rounded
Jobe (male). Pectoral fin pointed, a little shorter than the head, not quite twice as long
as the ventral, and extending beyond the root of the latter. Caudal fin densely scaled
on more than half of its surface, with pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle three and a
MARCUSENIUS. 45
e e e 15 -
half times as long as deep, as long as the head. 87 scales in the lateral line, jg in a
id |
transverse series on the body, ;; in a transverse series between dorsal and anal fin,
12 round caudal peduncle.
Brown above, white below (in spirit); dorsal and anal fins blackish, white at the
base; a blackish streak along each lobe of the caudal fin.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length: eco roos be tgauy oh pia gee eae oe OO
is ior Ce bonh Cau tm ye cok nh aeee ee ee ee
Chremnos tfc Opul. GRNOUy Trice) So Mee ee Bee Saree ie as 19
Power: Wid a, 4. eae oe ee beget 2 Pr tye ee ays)
DY Telen Gs Leeda Bets ie te ee seg te re oe ae ie eae en 31
hhenerth-ok GmOUb aie et osaee ee ns ik oer ever eb eee wena 16
Diameter of Gyeqy art 469 pe 3? Pa ee Es ek es ee 9
intetoe ular 2b OG fix duo ean Meese ete ee See ee eae 10
Vahey. Wt 2%: Foe ae Be odie owas Gre ue eds we eae ee eg 13
Lenetinol-caudal pedimele saat ek spi a) Bee a kw a4
Denth-oLeandal peduncle: ¢ oo. a: ah Se tee 16
eeneth Ge pectoral tate cae JF ty oe ae ee ee, ee 51
if VOMGIHH! HMe A ge ss ae ae tae ay ee ac es eee eee ey 2
A single specimen (male), from Polkom, Baro River (Sobat), obtained in April 1904
by Mr. P. C. Zaphiro, and presented to the British Museum by Mr. W. N. McMillan.
This species is named in honour of Sir John L. Harrington, H.M. Minister-
Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of Abyssinia, who has been active in organising
various zoological expeditions in North-eastern Africa.
4, MARCUSENIUS PETHERICI.
(Plate VIII. fig. 3.) :
Mormyrus discorhynchus (non Peters), Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 220 (1866), and Petherick’s Trav.
ii. p. 255 (1869).
Marcusenius petherict, Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. i. p. 7 (1898), and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898,
pe Ce.
Body strongly compressed, its depth twice and two-thirds to three and one-fourth times
in the total length; length of head four and two-thirds to five times in the total length.
Head as long as deep or a little deeper than long, once and two-thirds to once and
four-fifths as long as broad; snout one-fifth to one-fourth the length of the head,
rounded, projecting beyond the mouth; mouth situated below the nostrils, its width
MORMYRIDZ.
46
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MARCUSENIUS. AT
four and two-thirds to five and two-thirds times in the length of the head; teeth small,
bicuspid, truncate when worn down, 5 in the upper jaw, 6 in the lower; nostrils on a
line with the lower border of the eye, nearer the latter than the end of the snout; eye
moderate, as long as or a little longer than the snout, about two-thirds the interocular
width. Dorsal fin with 54 to 36 rays, as long as ora little shorter than its distance from
the head ; anterior rays longest, forming a point. Anal fin with 24 to 26 rays, originating
below fourteenth to sixteenth rays of dorsal, equally distant from the base of the ventral
and that of the caudal, or a little nearer the latter ; anterior rays longest, especially in
the males, in which the anterior half of the fin forms a rounded lobe. Pectoral fin
pointed, subfalcate, nearly as long as the head, once and two-thirds to once and three-
fourths the length of the ventral and extending beyond the base of the latter. Caudal
fin scaled at the base, with pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle twice and a half to three
times as long as deep, as long as or a little shorter than the head. 55 to 65 scales in
the lateral line, = in a transverse series on the body, ape in a transverse series
between dorsal and anal, 12 round caudal peduncle; many of the scales on the sides
below the lateral line with the free border more or less distinctly notched.
The fish, in spirit, is brown above, silvery white below, more or less speckled with
darker; an ill-defined dark bar, extending obliquely from the origin of the dorsal fin
to that of the anal, is sometimes present ; the dorsal fin, and sometimes also the anal,
brownish in front.
The largest specimen measures 220 millimetres.
This species was described from four specimens obtained at Khartum by Petherick,
which had been referred by Giinther to Mormyrus discorhynchus of Peters, from the
Lower Zambesi and Lake Nyassa. Mr. Loat obtained five specimens at Wad Medine,
Blue Nile, 6-13.10.01, and two at Fashoda, White Nile, 20.3.01.
Marcusenius discorhynchus resembles M. petherici very closely, but differs in the
shorter caudal peduncle surrounded by 14 scales, and in the greater distance between
the dorsal fin and the head. MW. budgetti, Blgr., recently described from the Niger
Delta, is still more nearly related to M. petherici, differing only in the larger scales on
the body, there being ul in a transverse series in front of the ventral fins, and x
between the dorsal and anal fins. And, finally, the Mormyr recently discovered in
Lake ‘Tanganyika and described as M. tanganicanus, Blgr., may be regarded as exactly
intermediate between MM. petherict and M. discorhynchus. Details of these allied
species are given in the annexed table, for the purpose of comparison.
48 MORMYRIDZ.
4, GNATHONEMUS.
Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 443 ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 801, and Poiss. Bass.
Congo, p. 89 (1901).
Campylomormyrus, Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterd. (2) viii. 1874, p. 367.
Teeth in the jaws small, conical, truncate, or notched, few (3 to 10 in the upper
jaw, 4 to 10 in the lower); minute conical teeth on the parasphenoid and on the
tongue; mouth terminal. Nostrils moderately far apart, remote from the eye. Body
moderately elongate; ventral fins equally distant from the pectorals and from the
anal, or nearer the former. Dorsal and anal fins not very unequal in length.
Vertebree 45-49 (10-14-+-4-8 + 27-30). 3
This is the largest genus of the family, thirty-two species being distinguished, five
of which occur in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Dorsal and anal fins exactly opposed to each other.
Dorsal 31; anal 33; chin slightly swollen; 78 scales in lateral line,
fe round-caudal pedutielé -.- 54 ey ee DG. pets; Marcus.
II. Anal fin originating in advance of dorsal.
Dorsal 25-30; anal 30-37; a globular mental appendage ; 70-86
scales in lateral line, 16-18 round caudal peduncle . . . . . 2. G. cyprinoides, L.
Dorsal 23-25; anal 28-32; a globular mental appendage ; 56-69
scales in lateral line, 12-16 round caudal peduncle . . . . . 3. G. macrolepidotus, Ptrs
Dorsal 22-25; anal 28-31; a long, pointed mental appendage ;
58-64 scales in lateral line, 10-12 round caudal peduncle. . . 4. G. longibarbis, Hile.
Dorsal 17-20; anal 25-28 ; no mental appendage ; 51-58 scales in
lateral line, 12 round caudal peduncle tka -« ie
Or
. G. niger, Gthr.
1. GNATHONEMUS PICTUS.
(Plate VII. fig. 2.)
Mormyrus, sp. n., Heuglin, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, ix. 1852, p. 920, pl. lx. fig. 1.
Petrocephalus pictus, Marcusen, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vii. 1864, p. 153.
Gnathonemus pictus, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvi. 1905, p. 238.
Depth of very strongly compressed body three and a half times in the total length,
length of head five times. Head as long as deep, twice as long as broad, with curved
upper profile ; snout short, rounded, as long as the eye, the diameter of which is four
times in the length of the head; interocular width one-third the length of the head;
GNATHONEMUS. AQ
~ mouth on a level with the lower border of the eye, its width equal to the diameter of
the eye; teeth small, bicuspid, 5 in the upper jaw, 6 in the lower; a slight swelling
of the chin. Dorsal and anal fins equally developed and exactly opposed to each
other, the former with 31 rays, the latter with 35 ; the fins deepest anteriorly, forming
a point behind which the border is feebly concave; their bases equally distant from
the caudal fin and from the base of the ventrals, and twice as far from the head as from
the caudal fin. Pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head, reaching beyond the base of
the ventral, which is about half as long. Caudal fin with pointed lobes, scaly on more
than half its extent. Caudal peduncle three times as long as deep, as long as the
head. 78 scales in the lateral line, in a transverse series on the body, between
dorsal and anal fins, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Brown or dark olive with yellowish bars, two of which enclose a sort of blackish
rhomb between the anterior rays of the dorsal and those of the anal fin, which bear a
black bar; a black band on the pectoral and ventral fins and on each lobe of the
caudal fin.
Measurements (in millimetres).
(ovat lemothii xs ee ies ie wee Sus aes eee ees
s fon ocr Clea a) es ee PF eae ee at)
Greatest .depiimeh pita: 436 8. Mi ea aN ere es, 38
Inaniath oh ieatliee es aie: Gt Sey ada S Se Sie ee 26
VY bent ih Cite MOR ase ie eel me es ek Maan a et emi ee ee 14
Length of snout 6
Diameter of eye esas pt eit te toes Cayenne eee oon 6
RRR CORT ELCs Ot oreo ts AL ee ne hee ree Gn 8
Width of mouth sf, heey eee 5
Renetior caudal peannclen, “a-Si A eae ae ees 25
Depth of caudal peduncle PMR Se ee eAh Tee ees
Lenath- of pectoral fines... 23 ais Ba ae Se ar es 26
wet ti re ys ty st acest. ape aay cae ver ee ere ee £3
39
This species is based on the figure of a specimen discovered at New Dongola by
Baron von Heuglin in 1852, and of which a description has never been given.
Mr. Loat has fortunately rediscovered it at Fashoda, on March 23, 1901, and the
above description is drawn up from the single specimen obtained by him. |
G. pictus bears a superficial resemblance to the West-African G. moorii, Gthr., to
which, from the figure given by Henglin, I had referred it with doubt (Proc. Zool.
Soc. 1898, p. 803). But G. moorii has larger scales and the anal fin originates a little
in advance of the dorsal. The two species are perfectly distinct.
50 MORMYRID&.
2. GNATHONEMUS CYPRINOIDES.
(Plate VI. fig. 2 and Plate VII. fig. 3.)
Mormyrus cyprinoides, Linneeus, Mus. Ad. Frid. ii. p. 109 (1764), and Syst. Nat. i. p. 522 (1766) ;
Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 265 (1849) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 218 (1866),
and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 254 (1869).
Mormyrus salahie, Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 619 (1803).
Mormyrus labiatus, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 275, pl. vii. fig. 1 (1827); Riippell,
Fortsetz. Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 9, pl. ii. fig. 2 (1832).
Mormyrus elongatus, Riippell, 1. c. fig. 1. .
Mormyrus abbreviatus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 270.
Mormyrops cyprinoides, Marcusen, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. xii. 1854, p. 14.
Mormyrops elongatus, Marcusen, 1. ¢.
Mormyrops abbreviatus, Marcusen, 1. ¢.
Mormyrops labiatus, Marcusen, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 137.
Gnathonemus cyprinoides, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 805, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 96
(1901).
Body more or less strongly compressed, its depth three to four times in the total
length ; length of head four to five and a half times in the total length. Head as
long as deep or slightly longer than deep, one-half to three-fifths as broad as long,
with curved upper profile; snout short, rounded, about one-fourth the length of the
head, and once and one-third to twice as long as the eye; interorbital width once and
a half to twice and one-fourth the diameter of the eye; mouth small, on a line with
the lower border of the eye; chin projecting, with a globular dermal appendage;
teeth small, conical, normally 5 in the upper jaw, 6 in the lower. Dorsal fin with
25 to 30 rays, originating above the sixth to tenth ray of the anal, its length nearly
twice to twice and a half in its distance from the head. Anal fin with 30 to 37 rays,
equally distant from the base of the ventral and from the root of the caudal, or a little
nearer the latter. Both fins deepest in front, especially the anal of the males, the base
of which is more or less sinuous; the posterior rays often produced in the males.
Pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head or a little shorter, rarely a little longer,
about twice as long as the ventral fin, reaching the base of the latter, or beyond.
Caudal fin scaly in its basal half or two-thirds, with pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle
as long as the head or a little shorter, twice and a half to three times as long as deep.
70 to 86 scales in the lateral line, Le in a transverse series on the body, i ina
transverse series between dorsal and anal fins, 16 (rarely 18) round caudal peduncle.
The coloration is silvery, the back darker, bluish or greenish with iridescent
reflections ; in some young specimens small blackish spots are scattered on the body.
This species does not appear to exceed a length of 300 millimetres.
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MORMYRIDZ.
The depth of the body varies according to the individuals, males being more slender
than females. Counting the dorsal and anal fin-rays in fifty specimens, I find 25 dorsal
rays five times, 26 eight times, 27 sixteen times, 28 fifteen times, 29 four times,
30 twice; 30 anal rays twice, 31 five times, 32 ten times, 33 seventeen times, 34 eight
times, 35 six times, and 36 and 37 once.
G. cyprinoides is known from the Nile, from the Delta to Gondokoro, from Lake
Chad, from the Niger, and from the Upper Congo. It has not been found in the
Blue Nile.
List of specimens examined :—
3 Egypt.—Riippell, 1833.
2 Lower Nile.—S. 8S. Allen, 1862.
2 Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
1 Kafr-el-Zayat, Rosetta branch of Nile.—Loat, 14.11.99.
2 Barrage N. of Cairo.—Loat, 16.10.99.
6 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 15-24.6.00.
3 Wasta.—Loat, 19-28.8.99.
3 Beni Souef.—Loat, 20-26.8.99.
1 Between Beni Souef and Biba.—Loat, 7.9.99.
2 lLahun, Bahr-el-Yusuf, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
1 Akhmim.—Loat, 13.12.99.
19 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 28.10.-10.11.00.
12 Assuan.—Loat, 22.8.-12.9.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Ghederah, White Nile.—Ioat, 31.12.00.
15 Fashoda, White Nile.—Loat, 17-26.3.01.
Tewfikyeh, White Nile-—Loat, 22.1.01.
Lake about 6 miles N.E. of Gondokoro.—Loat, 27.1.02.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Niger.
Stanley Falls—Rev. W. H. Bentley, 1897.
bo pF Fw FE
According to Cuvier and Valenciennes, the unpublished figure of this fish by Rifaud
bears the native name “ Aboué fué fé.” Mr. Loat has noted the following names :—
‘“Zahlooma” (so>;), at Kafr-el-Zayat; “ shefafer” (sla%) (should mean “transparent ”),
at Akhmim; ‘“oom’shefafer” (alas a!) at Assuan; and “oom'shiffa” (és al)» at
Omdurman.
Like Mormyrops anguilloides and Marcusenius isidori, this fish is called “ Anooma”
by the Cairo fishermen, according to Capt. Flower, who observes that the species is
doing well in the Gezira Aquarium, “Though in a state of nature their habits are
apparently nocturnal, in captivity they soon learn to feed by daylight and eagerly
o
GNATHONEMUS. 59
devour the finely chopped-up earthworms on which they are fed daily. They usually
keep moving about the bottom of the tank, the pectoral and tail fins being almost
constantly in motion, the other fins béing only occasionally used.”
3. GNATHONEMUS MACROLEPIDOTUS.
(Plate X. fig. 1.)
Mormyrus macrolepidotus, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1852, p. 275, and Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 79, pl. xv.
fig. 1 (1868).
Mormyrops macrolepidotus, Marcusen, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 142.
Gnathonemus macrolepidotus, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 804, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 93
(1901); Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 181.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and a half to four times in the total
length; length of head four and a half to five times in the total length. Head nearly as
long as deep, one-half or a little more than one-half as broad as long, with curved upper
profile; snout short, rounded, about one-fourth the length of the head, and once
(young) to once and a half the diameter of the eye; interorbital width once and a half
to once and two-thirds the diameter of the eye; mouth small, on a line with the lower
border of the eye; chin projecting, with a globular dermal appendage; teeth small,
conical, 38 or 5 in the upper jaw, 6 in the lower. Dorsal fin with 23 to 20 rays,
originating above the seventh or eighth ray of the anal, its length about twice and
a half in its distance from the head. Anal fin with 28 to 32 rays, a little nearer the
base of the caudal than that of the ventral. Both fins deepest in front. Pectoral fin
pointed, shorter than the head, reaching the base of the ventral or a little beyond.
Caudal fin scaly in its basal half, with obtusely pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle
nearly as long as the head, twice and a half to three times as long as deep. 456 to 69
scales in the lateral line, — in a transverse series on the body, ae in a transverse
series between dorsal and anal fins, 12 to 16 round caudal peduncle.
Coloration as in G. cyprinoides, the young also frequently with irregular small dark
spots on the body.
The species reaches a length of 320 millim.
Inhabits the Zambesi, the Katanga, Lake Bangwelo, and the Rovuma River.
‘The specimen from Kavirondo Bay, Lake Victoria, determined as G. macrolepidotus
by Pellegrin, and which Prof. Vaillant has been so good as to entrust to me for study,
may be regarded as forming a connecting-link between this species and G. cyprinoides.
As may be seen from the subjoined table, the scales of this young specimen, measuring
only 96 millim., are considerably smaller (more numerous) than in the Bangwelo and
Zambesi specimens at my disposal. I therefore regard Pellegrin’s determination as
provisional, and I am inclined to think that the study of a larger material from
54 MORMYRIDA.
Lake Victoria might lead either to the establishment of a new species or to the
identification of the Victoria specimens as somewhat aberrant G. cyprinoides. The
typical Zambesi specimens described by Peter’$S are stated to show the formula:
D. 238-24; A. 28-32; Sq. 58-62 Ee whilst the Lake Victoria specimen has D. 24;
A. 80; Sq. 68 .
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Hf 2 3. 4
Total length (without eandal fin) ........455..54-: mAtines hee ie 230 90 78 74
| CredresteGe nt tite eiancekee ve rar ai a5 Soe Ue MOE 7 oli heels waAE Foaly oes 24 24 23
SE GUNG Ie OHCs.) “A tee he Corus see ath CY oo ee Mea ed WS es os 45 20 16 18
Pie MN ICI OOM iar ete e Varela Ga ek one eaare BP tON ae porn eee « 26 10 9 3
[DCT rad Ag ouem Tat) hee Se Seah Bene OTS re CReinet aetpe yaa Sony meena ee one 10 5) = | o
| Diane bONeah OVS Hie .4 Heke Baa oe ine Le wae ed Pie SE 6 4 4 4
POO eC re Wilke eT ear ee ie es Ws te nye oda a ee at eles wie ie WE 16 6 6 7
AV cicr ts Mis Oman ILO chen i cea ees en eel open ae Coy eee Ceara - 12 4 4 | 4
Henataeon Ouida peduncles .S-cet oe Od Seay. feet awe. deel Gas 41 19 14 16
Depiieor cundal poatimcle- 0 qos. Cece en ea eS ek, eer SS 15 7 53 54
ene HEGe peel Ord Minn ona ectae delim eatin tie elie tok ow bet whet ston w ee V4 35 16 13 15
PNET On AAU LORRAIN is coca ccdag beat eed urs dom atthe male a 25 24 23 23
. ar les ae ea pa BR S980 se BO. «28
= Senlog: tk lAbeR MINI Oas Perks als nies cehe age bbb &< Teluees es 59 68 57 65
a », from the middle of the back to the lateral line ...... 11 15 1] 14
fs 5; ,, lateral line to the middle of the belly ...... 5 Wi ie 14 15
3 ,, between dorsal fin and lateral ie Be SU ceee evn oy eae ae 10 12 8 12
p 3 ee lateral: lime ane atial tan fy 5 soa ee sie 8 | Ti. Spe eel,
. AC POLI CAUCE PIOUUIMGLO™ chia cree cima gq Gouoc ce Np gh bw as he 16 14 16
1, Lake Bangwelo.— Melland, 3. Kazungula, Upper Zambesi.—Jalla.
2. Kavirondo Bay.—Alluaud. 4. Rovuma R.—Livingstone.
GNATHONEMUS, 5D
4, GNATHONEMUS LONGIBARBIS.
(Plate X. fig. 2.)
? Mormyrus petersii, part., Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 256 (1869).
Mormyrus longibarbis, Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. nat. Fr. Berlin, 1888, p. 78.
Gnathonemus longibarbis, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 802.
Body strongly compressed, its depth four to four and a half times in the total
length; length of head four and one-fifth to four and a half times in the total length.
Head longer than deep, a little more than twice as long as broad, with feebly curved
upper profile ; snout about two-thirds the length of the postocular part of the head,
twice and one-third or twice and a half the diameter of the eye, which is contained
six to seven times in the length of the head; interorbital width about twice the
Fig. 8,
Gnathonemus longibarbis, type specimen in Berlin Museum. Reduced to 5.
diameter of the eye ; mouth very small; chin with a long, cylindrical, pointed dermal
appendage, as long as or a little longer than the snout, directed forwards; teeth small,
notched, 3 or 5 in the upper jaw, 4 or 6 in the lower. Dorsal fin with 22 to 25 rays,
its length about one-half or two-fifths its distance from the head and equal to or a little
ereater than its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with 28 to 31 rays, originating
a little in advance of the dorsal, its distance from the ventral fin greater than that from
the caudal. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed, about two-thirds the length of the head and
extending to the base of the ventral, which is only about half as long. Caudal fin
nearly entirely scaly, with pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle two-thirds to three-fourths
the length of the head, twice or twice and one-third as long as deep. 08 to 64
; 13-14 . es oe
scales in the lateral line, 745 im a transverse series on the body, 949 1n a transverse
series between dorsal and anal fins, 10 or 12 round caudal peduncle.
56 MORMYRIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
- Total Petlobie( WitmeUt COUGHI Dnt cng a to spe ae a ew UES eM eo 195 170 152
| er resto pii ater carck es Wea ee oe he ened ged Roe Sa ae ee 47 43 39
| Length of head (without mental appendage) ..................-0:: 44 40 36
PGiea etl ore eae 5 ee ae ee es eed 20 18 17
| henstheor mental appentare.- a5 45 SS Ao oe et ee ee gS 16 15 14
| henoth*o£ snout: ac. cys SU pack Ce ee a a gh 15 14 12
| Wrae Tor Ore Vers OF on es cee oes wee ok Spi the Sad goes a eh De 6 bo ies
| PTLCLOCUIOI WIE e. sialic sk ok aigige at 1 ea ok one ade eee aera 13 dale. 10
PaO ng ed aes yen oe eae hee ge eee 4
| |B eeu BOSNCT LO ARW ES gg ofeIONOIIO Conte Regrere eeau Neha ess rere) ie Re re es herman yare Sc lee anger ie 25
EDepth. of caudal peduicle-.1j05 sae ex. en Os oe 13 | 12 11
Length of pectoral fin 2.6.6.6... c ieee eee eect tenes set 29 28 26
| Mrmiber-of rays in<dUdreqh ame oe ss i ee ee ee as 23 24 23
| S es a ree a a ee ee ey ea 30 30) 31
7 SCH MCSP rTPA alee seo & seep ee a el ee pies eee ee 60 58 64
3 » from the middle of the back to the lateral le ...... 13 13 13
. zs ,, lateral line to the middle of the belly ...... 19 17 Fy
: ,, between dorsal fin and lateral line ................ fehl) 10 11
S cs ¢ Palen 1imesaivemaial MMe. a oe ee bs eee os 9 ) 10
: Pyeten CoCo TN CelM cobb ele) fc pane sei'a eee Sire ea eerie ane aren ve paeerme 8) 10 12
Uniform blackish brown, lower side of head sometimes whitish ; iris white.
The type specimen measures 265 millimetres.
This species inhabits Lake Victoria. The very short description given by the
late Prof, Hilgendorf has been supplemented by a sketch executed for me by
Fraulein Hedwig Plate under his supervision; this sketch is here reproduced. ‘This
unique specimen was obtained by the late Dr. G. A. Fischer. The above description
is taken from ten specimens obtained at Buganga by Mr. E. Degen, on Noy, 15,
1909.
I have little doubt the fish mentioned by Gtnther in 1§69 under the name of
Mormyrus petersit as having been obtained by Speke on the White Nile at Urundogani,
GNATHONEMUS. sw A
and of which he only saw a sketch, belonged to this species rather than to Gnathonemus
petersii, Gthr., a very closely allied species with a similar mental appendage, but in
which the dorsal and anal rays are more numerous (D. 27-29, A. 34-36) and the
scales generally more numerous along the lateral line (63-70). G. petersit has been
found in the Congo and Ubanghi, the Old Calabar, and the Niger Delta.
Except for the longer snout and the curious mental appendage, G. longibarbis
resembles very closely the following species.
5. GNATHONEMUS NIGHR.
(Plate X. fig. 3.)
Mormyrus niger, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 219 (1866).
Gnathonemus niger, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 802.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and one-fifth to three and five-sixths
times in the total length; length of head four and one-third to five and one-fourth
times in the total length. Head as long as deep, nearly twice as long as broad, with
curved upper profile; snout very short, rounded, as long as the eye, five to six and
a half times in the length of the head; interorbital width once and three-fourths or
twice the diameter of the eye; mouth small, on a line with the lower border of the
eye; no mental swelling; teeth small, notched, 5 in the upper jaw, 8 or 10 in the
lower. Dorsal fin with 17 to 20 rays, originating above the eighth to the tenth ray of
the anal, its length twice to three times in its distance from the head. Anal fin with
25 to 28 rays, nearer to the root of the caudal then to the base of the ventral; both
fins deepest in front, especially the anal of the males, the base of which is sinuous.
Pectoral fin pointed, falciform, a little longer than the head, at least twice as long as
the ventral and extending nearly or quite to the extremity of the latter. Caudal fin
scaly in its basal -third, with obtusely pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle two-thirds to
four-fifths the length of the head, about twice as long as deep. 41 to 58 scales in the
lateral line, mee in a transverse series on the body, an in a transverse series between
dorsal and anal fins, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Specimens preserved in spirit are silvery, more or less speckled with dark brown,
the back dark brown.
Not known to exceed a length of 125 millim.
The types of this species came from the Gambia and the Niger. Six specimens
were obtained at Fashoda by Mr. Loat during the second half of March 190], and
four at Polkom, on the Baro River (Sobat), by Mr. Zaphiro in April 1904 (presented
to the British Museum by Mr. W. N. McMillan).
08 MORMYRID&.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Total length (without IMEC FW GAB aigy gee seme Pe Sy SOs gee oe Pan ees a
Corn bent eine ti iuiiniar a via ns Ss ee to eas eh een es Sal Ee
PCO MCA. out 6 eo Sioky 844 eo eee ae TeX Tas, uate SOY en ae
Width of head ......... peat Oo tes eee Ee gate te
teh tae fer cay th Ok nd ed ov ee a Se ees
PIREMIOLEI O16 Ve, 1 votre 7 sero BRE oui gt cepa ee as
Pnterogmar wich. abs sk is ews Oe fips nen em cg CALC EN es ees
Width of ARIAT Ltd es a ag ae ea ee eee Sg Soe ae inlays
Tuer Oren PORUNELS —. 2s i, esas ye ae ed On Es Nee ey
Wepiicot patel Peds: $8.5. espe op sens sp FE Saas ahs She beg
hencih-opectoraltin £8).G0L6 0 Ai Leal! QOS dd. BBO e ete
INGpeI ber OT rays" COMBA: ei Gese eggs sth eva 4s ecsled os cuneate
zy eros Say InN ae egw wea aa AI a nace ew ae ote en oe fs
BAA LOS I ADCP EO “ac et La ae tans eigenen kee sel Meeatots eet Bu,
,, from the middle of the back to the lateral line...
|
. % ,, lateral line to the middle of the belly ..
| fe ,, between dorsal fin and lateral line ............
3 yi lateral tine -andtanal fins ac tesdsiiss ou.
= Own walla WCU NCO’ vy sv ya pone 3 eke bis oe 8
hie 15 oes | quae ae et 3,
115 [113 j107 [105.108
30 | 35 | 81 | 82 | 80
Op fe 693 (82.19?
122215 ly eee
2 AS ag G4
A| 4)-4) 4
Pe ea ee
A 2b |OBehe A
17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18
8| 9] 91 9
24.27.1205 | 25.) 95.)
18 | 17 | 20| 19 | 13
97 | ps 28-127 | Bc
51 | 53 |.55 | 54 | 56
e810 Toe Ma 10
1541 16-|415|716-216
9/11] 9] 10 | 10
81) {8.8484 19
126) 127) 1g) 1a 1B
12
1. Niger.—Type.
2,4, 0,6. Fasheda.—Loat.
3. Gambia.—Type.
7. Polkom, Baro R.—Zaphiro.
MORMYRUS. 59
d. MORMYRUS.
Linnzus, Syst. Nat. i. p.522 (1766), part. ; Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1864, p. 139 ; Boulenger, Proc.
Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 812, and Poiss. Bass, Congo, p. 109 (1901).
Scrophicephalus, Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fish. ii. p. 187 (1839).
Mormyrodes, Gill, |. ¢.
Solenomormyrus, Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterd. (2) vil. 1874, p. 368.
Teeth in the jaws small, notched, few (5 to 12 in the upper jaw, 8 to 14 in the
lower); minute conical teeth on the parasphenoid and on the tongue ; ‘mouth terminal.
Nostrils moderately far apart, remote from the eye. Body moderately elongate ;
ventral fins equally distant from the pectorals and from the anal, or nearer the former.
Dorsal fin much elongate, more than twice as long as the anal. Vertebrae 49-55
(12-16+7-10+ 27-32).
Of the sixteen species of this genus, four occur in the Nile.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Snout much shorter than postorbital part of head.
Dorsal four to five times as long as anal; Dorsal 67-75; Anal 17-20. 1. ML. hasselquistae, C.& V.
II. Snout as long as or longer than postorbital part of head.
Dorsal 57-75, three and three-fourths to four and_ three-fourths
times as long as anal ; Anal 18-21; snout bent downwards . . 2. MW. kannume, Forsk. _
Dorsal 76-90, five to seven times as long asanal; Anal 18-21; snout
Ppt cin wind Wate aca. hg Sp Sac ek pu a a ee ae eg OSGI, Las
Dorsal 83-90, five and a half times as long as anal; Anal 17-18 ;
snout pointing straight forwards . . . . . «© » «+ . « 4 MM miloticus, BL Schn. =
1. MORMYRUS HASSELQUISTII.
(Plate: tie 12)
Mormyrus herse (non Sonnini), Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 620 (1803).
Mormyrus caschive (non Linnezeus), 1. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 273, pl. vi. fig. 2
(1827).
Mormyrus hasselquistiz, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 253 (1846) ; Marcusen, Mém.
Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 130; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 813.
Depth of body four and a half to five and one-fourth times in the total length, length
of head four and one-third to four and three-fourths times. Head about twice as long
as broad, once and one-fourth to once and two-thirds as long as deep, with curved
upper profile; snout about half as long as the postorbital part of the head, projecting
slightly beyond the mouth, the width of which measures about half the length of the
ee
60 MORMYRID &.
Measurenvents (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
I | 2 3. 4 5
Bove lemetin- vb wot caadal fin) 5 art oon uae lis ¢ v.05 uate. wate eels 290 |250 |205 |185 170
Sle ise eGl UIE aepecls oie 1 nasil tatile ce Neekin 2k annoy aia eta aime ep ee 71 | 52 | 44 | 44 | 37
Tieceth Ree iain: vm 280 “he A ai SACS ste Sak Ra OR eet one | 69 | 60 | 48 | 45 | 40 |
MMO CU no ty mn ees ase Pea ae eee a ee eee 33 | 28 | 24 22 | 19 |
ge Healer) OU Ger yt a ice gee Ge ham CE pe eat eet US A Gyn ek 20. 07 (8-18) 11
Dae ber OR enes dt, Giclee eet ate dak eee Say Gather ney eee gs 7 NG cho, Gy ke ol eo
Pteroculan watt. sarc iota sw eee ret ee ee Besides: ease Cate os IP El a ed
NY ACEO MONO ay WA erie ord ecigl Cok Peas pe loach. oh nes aia Piet: BES eee es are | Pe lw |
Teme tiie Glee MC yA MCI 94: ¢ sane tapos A Sank cere sauce ah aoa Wee ee tol Oo rise 18 |
IDO M UM Or Cima WOMEACLe Hip 55 < at ee ed ge Me ae ee cua acteg tA c e Ske ies POL eke 1s =| d=. 12 |
TEI CAUCVA Es UTeTOLUON 2. eu ee Nee a haar eee pee RE eet Ea oe eee PRE emRaRe 36 | 84 | 80 | 27 | 26 |
UI Oer Ol maya te dotsalfine 24744 es Rite i Ge ee I ® 7) V7[a-le F209: 67 |
5 pes REE RTL 4.3," 9 5, cn Ne > Rie eee Clee aE Rig ee Ree, SLs Sis, 220!" ese - AES |
$3 er he Saale ete nae igh oe sea sea, Ss Sai acid aw A tes eo chs panteedhak va wns dass VOAEO2 6.5) 91. 1788
= », from the middle of the back to the lateral line ........ OP 41205, 12370) 25-20 :
a fe » lateral line to the middle of the belly ........| 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
% », between dorsal fin and lateral line, above anal ........ Her ee Ww al es
=A " ica eeeRal ine atreeanigy ke Giles gash Be sis ee a SO a a OG do} a Eh
a prone cada kgecunGlon wis 2 8F sores ed ipa ede eos B02 28 SUMO 30
1. Polkom, Baro R.— Zaphiro. 3, 4,5. Fashoda.—Loat.
Kenisseh.—Loat.
snout; chin slightly swollen; teeth small, notched, 10 or 121n the upper jaw, 12 or 14
in the lower; diameter of the eye seven to eight and a half times in the length of the
head, two-fifths to one-half the length of the snout, two-fifths to one-half the interorbital
width. Dorsal with 67 to 75 rays, its base four to five times as long as that of the anal,
and once anda half to once and three-fifths as long as its distance from the end of the
snout, originating well in advance of the vertical of the ventral fins, subequal in depth
throughout. Anal fin with 17 to 20 rays, originating a little nearer to base of caudal
than to base of pectoral, its longest rays longer than those of the dorsal. Pectoral fin
MORMYRUS. 61
rounded or obtusely pointed, three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head; ventral
fin about two-fifths the length of the head. Caudal fin with rounded lobes, for the
greater part covered with scales. Caudal peduncle two-fifths to one-half the length
of the head, once and two-fifths to twice as long as deep. 88 to 96 scales in the
lateral line, Bas ae in a transverse series on the body, at the origin of the dorsal fin,
— in a transverse series at the origin of the anal fin, 28 or 30 round the caudal
peduncle.
Valenciennes has described the coloration as uniform plumbeous above, washed
with greenish on the head and fins, the cheeks iridescent with yellow and blue with
a golden sheen, the dorsal fin with oblique dark lines (fin-rays?). According to
Mr. Loat’s notes taken at Fashoda, the upper parts are dark grey with gold and pink
reflexions, the lower parts whitish with gold reflexions ; the fins mostly greyish, very
slightly tinged with yellow.
This Mormyr is not known to exceed a length of 35 centimetres.
The only known specimens are the types, four in number, measuring 23 to 35
centimetres, procured by Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire in the Lower Nile, and preserved
in the Paris Museum, where I was allowed to take a description of them; six obtained
by Mr. Loat in the White Nile and in the Bahr-el-Gebel—
5 Fashoda, 18-26.3.01 ;
1 Kenisseh, 4.4.02 ;
and one from Polkom, Baro River (Sobat), 4.04, collected by Myr, Zaphiro and
presented to the British Museum by Mr. W. N. McMillan.
2, MORMYRUS KANNUMEHE.
(Plate XII. fig. 1.)
Mormyrus kannume, Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 74 (1775); Marcusen, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7)
vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 11£; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 817; Hilgendorf, Zool. Jahrb.,
Syst. xxii. 1905, p. 418.
Mormyrus oxyrhynchus, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 270, pl. vi. fig. 1 (1827); Joannis,
Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. xiii; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 242 (1846) ;
Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 216 (1866), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 253 (1869) ; Hilgendorf,
Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 78.
Mormyrus bachiqua, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 248.
Scrophicephalus kannume, Riippell, Verz. Mus. Senckenb. iv. p. 27 (1852).
Depth of body three and a half to four and two-thirds times in total length, length
of head four to five times. Head about twice as long as broad in the young, longer
in the adult, the upper profile descending in a straight line or more or less strong
62 MORMYRIDZ.
curve; snout produced, about as long as the postocular part of the head in the adult,
shorter in the young, its length once and a half (young) to three times its least depth ;
mouth very small, with thick lips, chin slightly swollen, protruding ; teeth small,
notched, 5 or 7 in the upper jaw, 8 or 10 in the lower; eye small, its diameter six
(young) to twelve times in the length of the head, once and a half (young) to twice
and a half in the interocular width. Dorsal fin with 57 to 75 rays *, its base three
and three-fourths to four and three-fourths times as long as that of the anal, and as
long as or a little (not more than one-fifth) longer than its distance from the end of
the snout, gradually decreasing in depth posteriorly. Anal with 18 to 20 (rarely 21)
rays, originating at nearly equal distance from the base of the pectoral and that of the
anal, its longest rays longer than those of the dorsal. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed,
two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head; ventral about one-half the length of
the head. Caudal fin with pointed lobes, for the greater part covered with scales.
Caudal peduncle one-half to three-fifths the length of the head, once and a half to
twice as long as deep.
The figure of Rifaud (pl. exc.) represents this fish as of a pale lilac-grey above,
reddish white beneath, with the end of the snout, the lateral line, the paired fins, and
the anal and caudal fins bright red, the dorsal fin greyish, with a red median band.
Mr. Loat has noted specimens from the Rosetta branch of the Nile as of a dull greyish
brown above, shot with bright gold, especially on the head, and white beneath,
slightly shot with gold, pale green, and blue. Mr. Degen describes the iris as of a
steel-grey.
Mr. Loat reports having seen at Beni Souef a specimen | metre in length; but
the largest example preserved by him measures only half that length (51 centimetres).
At that place, the fishermen informed him that the fish is common only during the
high Nile. In a large specimen, Mr. Loat was able to verify the electrical properties
on the Mormyrs; although it had been caught some hours, and towed several miles
in the water at the stern of a boat, tied by the tail, by placing one hand on the caudal
region of the body and the other near the pectoral fin a slight shock could be felt.
The fishermen said that when first taken out of the water, large specimens can give
quite a powerful shock. At Wady Halfa Mr. Loat caught a large specimen with a
hook baited with a worm.
Capt. Flower has succeeded in keeping this Mormyr in an aquarium, and observed
it to have a curious habit of swimming backwards, with the tail leading, as described
by Budgett in Gymnarchus niloticus. He has made the following observations on
several specimens kept in his house at Giza :—‘‘ Naturally they spend the day quietly
on the bottom of the tank, but after nightfall become very active, searching
energetically for food. When the light from a match or lamp falls on them in the
Hilgendorf mentions 55 rays in a dry specimen from Lake Victoria.
63
MORMYRUS.
| ‘roystyo pr ALIV]T IIG—"VLloporA oyvyT °¢ ‘quort—"eyIvyT ApeAl “F
FeO a Jono. Was OSL "ywoT—OTIN, OUT “oulpeyy, PUM = *Z, 4yROrTT—OTINT JO Youvaq Bjyqosoy “e
“PMoqieg —"unyiVy yy PL ‘yvoT—utnssy ‘ST ‘OT ‘8 ‘9 sii a. ‘Masa —"BIIOJOTA “TT ‘oqqoyu °S
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64 MORMYRID£.
dark, their eyes shine very remarkably, sometimes white, sometimes gleaming red.
They soon learn to feed by daylight, and it is an interesting sight to see them
searching the bottom of the tank, examining every stone and cavity with their long
snouts, for the pieces of chopped earth-worms which are daily put in for them to feed
on. Like many other species of fish they fight a great deal among themselves, and
several individuals which died from time to time during 1903, it is believed, had been
killed by their comrades; but latterly these fights have been less frequent. Like the
Gnathonemus, they prefer the lower part of their tank; the pectoral and tail fins are
moved most, but there seems less of the constant waving of fins about this species
than there is with the other two Mormyride | Marcusenius isidort and Gnathonemus
cyprinoides | mentioned above.”
Unless the insufficiently defined J. hildebrandti, Peters *, from the Athi River,
Ukamba, be regarded as identical with it, JJ. kannume appears to be confined to the
Nile in its widest sense, including Lake Victoria. A young specimen collected in the
Wabbi River (Webi Shebeli system) by Mr. Oscar Neumann and the late Baron Carlo
von Erlanger has been referred by me to this species, but as it has only 51 rays in
the dorsal fin, its determination is still doubtful.
The passage from MZ. kannume to M. caschive is a very complete one, the shorter
dorsal fin with 57 to 75 rays instead of 76 to 90 being, so far as I can see, the safest
diagnostic character of the former species. I have counted the dorsal fin-rays in sixty
specimens, and find 57, 58, 68, 71, and 75 to occur once, 99, 60, 70, 73, and 74 twice,
64 and 66 five times, 61 and 67 six times, 63 and 65 seven times, and 62 nine times.
18 anal rays occur ten times, 19 twenty-two times, 20 twenty-six times, and 21 twice.
List of specimens examined :—
Nile.—Rev. O. P. Cambridge, 1864.
Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
Lower Nile.—H. Lort Phillips, 1892.
Nile at Cairo.—Dr. F. Werner, 1899.
10 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 15-17.6.00.
J Nile at Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 1905.
3 Boulak Fish Bazar, Cairo.—Loat, 15-19.3.99.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 27.8.—9.10.99.
| Samhur, near Beni Souef.—Loat, 5.9.99.
19 Between Beni Souef and Biba.—Loat, 6-7.9.99.
Akhmim.—Loat, 13.12.99.
Girgeh.—Loat, 14.12.99.
Luxor.—Loat, 25-28.10.00.
RRR DO
oo Hoe
* Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berlin, 1882, p. 73.
+ Proc, Zool. Soc. 1903, ii. p. 328.
MORMYRUS. 695
7 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 3-10.11.00.
Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23.2.00.
30 Assuan.—Loat, 7.8.-2.10.00.
Khartum.— Petherick, 1862.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile-—Loat, 8-11.11.01.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Capt. 8. Flower, 6.05.
Lake Victoria—Sir Harry Johnston, 1900.
Lake Victoria.—C. W. Hobley, 1904.
Entebbe, Lake Victoria.—Degen, 30.8.—-6.10.05.
faa
CH te CO RH CO Cl
Kannume is one of the native names of this fish on the Lower Nile according to
Forskal, and Bachiqua (eit. sasS) is another according to Rifaud. Both it and
M. caschive are confounded under the following names supplied by Mr. Loat:—
“ Annuma” (\s3)), at Cairo, Samannud, Barrage N. of Cairo; ‘booez” (p92),
at Akhmim, Assiut, Girga; “mizz” ( je), at Beni Souef, in the Fayum; “ oom
booez” or “ oom'moo booez” ( 525) a!) is the name sometimes given to these species
at Beni Souef; “ashoowa” (+\,¢) (ashwda, “nearly blind”), at Kafr-el-Zayat; “loch
gash’oo wa” (Nyse e)s at Assuan (the word “loch” is pronounced like the name “‘ lough,”’
lake, as in Ireland); “ samak-el-malak” (salt-fish) ( ae Elon), at Luxor (a great
many of the fishermen at Luxor were unacquainted with the name) ; “ essin hannugar ”
(35> pw!) (Nubian: hanu, “donkey”; essi, ‘“ water’), between Shellal and
Korosko; ‘ruenta” (aii,,), between Korosko and Wady Halfa; * “ dosk'é,” at
Halfa; “hashm'el banat” (“mouth of girls”) (cuss pina) heard used first at
Assuan and again further south; “hasham n@h@see” (_gulol pin>)s on the Blue
Nile. [Names marked with an asterisk in this and further lists are the Berberine
and names of fish, not Arabic. |
According to Capt. Flower, this Mormyr is called “ Abw 600s” by the Cairo
fishermen.
66 MORMYRIDZ.
3. MORMYRUS CASCHIVE.
(Plate XII. fig. 2.)
Mormyrus caschive, Linneus, in Hasselquist, Reise Palast. p. 440 (1762) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes,
Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 227 (1846) ; Marcusen, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 120;
Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 215 (1866), and Petherick’s Tray. ii. p. 253 (1869) ; Boulenger,
Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 815, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 113 (1901).
Mormyrus longipinnis, Riippell, Fortsetz. Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 7, pl. i. fig. 2 (1832).
Scrophicephalus longipinnis, Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fish. i. p. 309 (1838).
Mormyrus geofroyi, Giinther, ll. ec. pp. 216, 253.
Mormyrus longirostris, part., Boulenger, Il. cc. pp. 817, 112.
Depth of body three and three-fourths to five times in the total length, length of
head four to five times. Head twice as long as broad in the young, longer in the
adult, the upper profile descending in a straight line or feeble curve; snout produced,
about as long as the postocular part of the head in the adult, shorter in the young, its
length twice (young) to four times its least depth; mouth very small, with thick lips,
chin slightly swollen, protruding ; teeth small, notched, 5 to 9 in the upper jaw, 8 or
10 in the lower; eye small, its diameter five (young) to sixteen and one-third times in
the length of the head, once and a half (young) to twice and a half in the interocular
width. Dorsal fin with 76 to 90 rays, its base five to seven times as long as that of
the anal, and once and one-third to once and three-fifths as long as its distance from
the end of the snout, originating well in advance of the vertical of the ventral fins,
eradually decreasing in depth posteriorly. Anal fin with 18 to 20 (rarely 21) rays,
originating at nearly equal distance from the base of the pectoral and that of the
caudal, its longest rays longer than those of the dorsal. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed,
three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head; ventral one-third to one-half the
length of the head. Caudal fin with pointed lobes, for the greater part covered with
scales. Caudal peduncle two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, once anda half to
twice as long as deep. 100 to 130 scales in the lateral line, a in a transverse series
on the body, at the origin of the dorsal fin, ete a transverse series at the crigin of
the anal fin, 26 to 30 round the caudal peduncle.
Hasselquist describes the colour of fresh specimens as glaucous on the back and
pale flesh-colour on the belly. Markings are absent.
This is one of the largest species of Mormyrs, a specimen obtained by Mr. Loat at
Biba measuring 750 millimetres.
M. caschive appears to be restricted to the Nile, specimens from West Africa,
Lake Chad, and the Congo, previously referred to it by me, proving, on renewed
examination, to belong to the closely allied M. rume, C. & V. (jubelini, C. & V.),
which differs only in the smaller number (20 or 22) of scales round the caudal peduncle.
te
MORMYRUS.
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1} ttl itlet! et fev dt steed eeevenedieceectebeeduersabeesss “QITOUE JO UIPLAL
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6 | st] et) Ft] Ft NE A Pee Ra ae OREN a cre a Steen gftg75 sojdung
o¢ | 2¢ | og | 09 | 22 rs Sewn ayes ate Lsss68* qnons Jo Y)8a07
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fej, see. |
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68 MORMYRIDA.
Lhe following is a list of the specimens examined :—
Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
Lower Nile.—Giinther’s M. geoffroyi.
Nile near Cairo.—Loat, 18.3.99.
Bought in Boulak Fish Bazar, Cairo.—Loat, 20.3.99.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 1-17.9.99.
Between Beni Souef and Biba.—Loat, 6.9.99.
Biba.—Loat, 28.8.99.
Lahun, on the Bahr-el-Yusuf, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
be CO CO RH FR b OO
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14 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 23.10.00, 3-10.11.00.
2 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Nur-ed-Daim, White Nile.—Loat, 6.1.01.
9 Fashoda.— Loat, 18.3.01.
2 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 25.2.01.
The result of counting the dorsal and anal fin-rays in these forty specimens is, for
the former, 77, 84, 90 once, 76, 78, 86, 89 twice, 79, 83, 87, 88 three times, 80, 81,
82, 85 four times; for the latter, 21 once, 20 ten times, 18 thirteen times, 19 sixteen
times, The two specimens from the Lower Nile, which on account of the low number
of dorsal rays (76, 78) I previously referred to Peters’s JM. longirostris, | must now
unite with WM. caschive. They may be regarded as establishing a passage between the
latter and M7. kannume *.
Kaschive and Kischuve are Arabic names attributed to this fish by Hasselquist and
Riippell. Other names are given above, under the head of M. kannume.
Both M. caschive and VM. kannume are the Oxyrhynchus of ancient Kgypt: sacred
fish, and as such not used as articles of food. Wilkinson regards the Ozryrhynchus as
the same fish as the Mizdeh.
4, MORMYRUS NILOTICUS.
(Plate XI. fig. 2.)
Centriscus niloticus, Bloch, Schneider Syst. p. 113, pl. xxx. fig. 1 (1801).
Mormyrus geofroyt, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 240 (1846).
Mormyrus niloticus, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 816.
It is very doubtful whether the specimens answering to the description and figure
of Schneider are anything more than individuals of M/. caschive in which the snout
instead of being bent downwards is directed straight forward, its upper profile being
* As pointed out in my last Report on the Fishes of Lake Tanganyika (Tr. Zool. Soc. xvii. 1906, p- 546),
M, longirostris, which is known from the Zambesi, the Congo, and Lake Tanganyika, is so closely related to
M. caschive that it should perhaps be regarded as merely a variety of the Nile species. The dorsal rays
number 71 to 75.
MORMYRUS.
slightly concave and its lower profile forming a nearly straight line.
have been inclined to unite the two supposed species, were it not for the fact that two
out of the three specimens with straight snouts examined by me have 17 rays in the
anal fin, the third having 18, 18 to 20 being the usual number in WV. caschive, not one
of the numerous specimens which have been at my disposal having so few as 17. .
The length of the head is greater than the depth of the body, this difference from
M. caschive being due to the direction of the snout.
The specimens examined by me are three in number: I, the type, rather ly
preserved, of Cuvier and Valenciennes’s MW. geoffroyi, no doubt from the Lower Nile;
2, a single specimen obtained by Mr. Loat between Beni Souef and Biba, on Sept. 6,
3, a single specimen from Wadelai,
Sept. 7, 1902, forming part of the collection made in Uganda by the late Mr. J.S.
Budgett.
1899, of which a figure is given on Pl. XL;
I think I should
Measurements and particulars of these three specimens are here given :—
Total length (without caudal fin) ....... Ce paths sn ee ah aes ee ee eg
Gregiest Usptn pus ake <qeerinay - ce ee wo ewes che Rees eee ae a eee
Lenetiual heal 2,4. c2c sie a eee OR ene ee tee
Thanath ob snout Sia Ane ee ee He. aD net eee pth ee ery <,
Dinhicher OF GYG. oo to oan weeks Fe ees a Bie Sat een aR Wr
Titer detilan avidbnes ec ra ats sane Th ose sce we eu oe ie ees
hieneth of caudalmpeduncl ic. Sona eas ips tae Oe ee en eee
Depth of caudal peduncle ................46.. Mn ae oats Fee es
Length of pachoral ie “i,< aioe! nip obs erp ed eae oe ees eee
Nuasiber ofstays in dorsal fiat 5 re eae a Oe ae neg ee
SVMS TPF - 1. hued rai sey Ro eee hoes en eee Rattle gener ge anh Sa:
99 99
Benes 111 SACS PRE ONO a ah vce eee Pairk oe aie hia aera
99 99
lateral line to the middle of the belly ..........
93 99 39
between dorsal fin and lateral line ....................
99 99
titer AG se AL Eh pce, as ae ee
99 99 99
round catidal. peduncle: nc. tet ewiatese oo TRIP ae
| 9 9
70 | MORMYRIDZA.
i | 6. HYPEROPISUS.
Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 443 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 222 (1866) ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool.
doe.-1398,p. 819."
Phagrus, Marcusen, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersb. (7) vii. 1864, no. 4, p. 111.
Teeth in the jaws small, notched, few (3 or 5 in the upper jaw, 5 or 6 in the
lower); parasphenoid and tongue with a pavement of large spheroid teeth; mouth
terminal, below the level of the eyes. Nostrils moderately far apart, remote from the
eye. Body elongate; ventral fins much nearer the pectorals than the anal. Dorsal
fin. very short, anal very long. Vertebrae 55-59 (19-16 + 4-6+455-38).
One species, of wide distribution, occurs in the Nile; a second, from Lake Chad,
has recently been described.
1. HYPEROPISUS BEBE.
(late. V -iig. 2.)
Kaschoué, Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 283, pl. xxi. fig. 3 (1799).
Mormyrus bebe, Lacepede, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 619 (1803).
Mormyrus dorsalis, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 276, pl. viii. figs. 1 & 2 (1827); Cuvier
& Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 271 (1846); Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 256
(1869).
Phagrus dorsalis, Mareusen, Mém. Acad. St. Pétersb. (7) vil. 1864, no. 4, p. 142.
Hyperopisus dorsalis, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 222 (1866) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i.
1870, p. 554, pl. iv. fig. 2.
Hyperopisus occidentalis, Giinther, Cat. t. c. p. 223.
Hyperopisus bebe, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 820.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and two-thirds to five and a half times
in the total length; length of head four and two-thirds to five and two-thirds times in
the total length. Head a little longer than deep, with strongly curved upper profile,
twice, or rather less than twice, as long as broad; snout about one-fourth the length
of the head, rounded ; eye moderate, its diameter six to nine times in the length of the
head, interorbital width twice and three-fourths to four and one-fourth times, width
of mouth one-sixth to one-fifth. Dorsal fin small, with 12 to 16 rays, twice and a half
to three and a half times as distant from the head as from the caudal fin. Anal fin
with 58 to 68 rays, deepest in front, especially in the males, originating at equal
distance from the end of the snout and from the root of the caudal fin, or a little
nearer the latter. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed, two-thirds to four-fifths the length
of the head; ventral fin one-third to two-fifths the length of the head. Caudal fin
HYPEROPISUS. fall
scaly on at least two-thirds of its extent, with obtusely pointed lobes. Caudal
peduncle twice to twice and two-thirds as long as deep, nearly one-half to two-thirds
the length of the head. 93 to 120 scales in the lateral line, — in a transverse series
-on the body, ee between dorsal and anal fins, 20 (rarely 18 or 22) round the
caudal peduncle.
The upper parts are greyish olive or purplish or greenish brown, with strongly
iridescent sheen, the lower parts white; the thin skin which covers the scaly
integument, and which becomes readily detached in spirit-specimens, is often spotted
with black. The fins are greyish white, according to a coloured sketch made. by
Mr. Loat, whilst in specimens from the Senegal, sketched by the late P. Delhez, they
are yellowish with the pectoral and caudal tinged with bright red at the base. Iris
silvery.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 460 millimetres. One observed,
but not preserved, by Mr. Loat at Wad Medine, Blue Nile, measured 520 millim.
West-African specimens have been separated under the name of H. occidentalis,
Gthr., on characters which, as pointed out by Steindachner, are not sufficiently
constant to justify such a course. But it must be admitted that specimens with as
few as 12 dorsal rays and as many as 65 anal rays, as in the type of L. occidentalis,
from the Niger, have not been found in the Nile. I have counted the rays in fifty
specimens from the Nile, and found 13 dorsal rays three times, 14 twenty-eight times,
15 seventeen times, and 16 twice; 58 anal rays four times, 59 eight times, 60 twenty-one
times, 61 nine times, 62 six times, and 63 and 64 once. Whilst on fifteen specimens
from West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Niger), 12 dorsal rays occur once, 13 six times,
14 and 15 four times; 59, 60, 62, and 63 anal rays once, 64 six times, and 65 and 67
twice. The range of variation in Niie specimens is therefore D. 13-16, A. 58-64, and
in West-African specimens D. 12-15, A. 59-67. ‘The specimen from the Chad Basin
has D. 15, A. 60. I cannot endorse Steindachner’s statement that young examples
have, as a rule, one or two rays less than the adult in both dorsal and anal fins.
The habitat of this species is known to extend over nearly the entire Nile system,
from the Delta to Wadelai and Wad Medine, the Chad Basin, the Senegal, the Gambia,
and the Niger.
List of specimens examined :—
4 Lower Nile.—S. 8. Allen, 1861.
2 Barrage N. of Cairo.—Loat, 16.10.99.
3 Beni Souef.—Loat, 28.8.99-1-9.9.99.
2 Between Beni Souef and Biba.—Loat, 7.9.99.
48 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 20.10.00-10.11.00.
38 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 10.10.01.
MORMYRID/A,
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Bate i sh "OT— OLIN OMTM “Gedygmoy, 2 “9 ‘HO T—OTIN ONTM “ULEfoqep °Z
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9 J Gl Pb SCL RGD eh Gre KEE hep it OP (ek aaa ae ae ses pee Tab i ode t ae Prats qnous yo yySuery
Gi) Sih ke 2) Lee Seo | Oe Te oe eel Je ioe ee Barat coat Gigaset? rae sreeeeeseessoe Duou to UIDIM
Po MOG EP A Te Mee Ge) A GR haga ye ge u IM t | ey dled sieve ol Gore leesnu el geet ie Hteeeeeeeeeses npag Jo yySuer
BG ee Osean il Soar ee Be er RG EP het cyl eee AOE gs INE Tuer recite uu seen et alam rrsessssss kpog jo yydop qsaqveryy
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SOE eat ipa eee nah ORE gp cc WU AgaeeL Weg, MT eel aati nde
‘sapnos pun shos-uyf fo saaqunu pup (satjowtT[iw Ul) spuauansva py
HYPEROPISUS. 73
Jebelain, White Nile-—Loat, 11.1.01.
Fashoda, White Nile.—Loat, 15.3.01-19.3.01.
Tewfikyeh, White Nile-—Loat, 22.1.01-11.3.01.
Kerro, Bahr-el-Gebel.—Loat, 26.2.01.
Gondokoro, Bahr-el-Gebel.—Loat, 27.1.02.
Wadelai, Bahr-el-Gebel.—Budgett, 7.9.02.
R. Chari-wasu at Maidugari.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.— Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
Lokoja, N. Nigeria.—Budgett, 1903.
Jebba, Upp. Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
Abo, S. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902,
Nigeria. (Type of 4. occidentalis.)
a
aid
(oe)
CCE a
Little is known of the habits of this fish. Mr. Loat has noted that it is very partial
to dourra or millet, and that at the time of his stay at Wad Medine numbers congre-
gated round the boats that were discharging grain. The flesh is, like that of other
Mormyrs, much esteemed in Senegambia; but this does not appear to be the case in
Egypt at present, although Sonnini, the first describer of this species, at the close of
the 18th century, found it firm and delicate. |
When in the Gambia, the late Mr. Budgett * found nests which he was inclined to
think were those of Hyperopisus bebe. The eggs, oval, about 14 millim. in length,
yellowish and semitransparent, were laid in shallow depressions of the swamp bottom,
and attached to the rootlets of the grasses laid bare by the parent in scooping out the
depression for the reception of the eggs. The larva on hatching hangs from the
rootlets, suspended by threads of viscid mucus, until the yolk-sac 1s absorbed. In one
nest there are many thousands of these larve.
This species appears to have a good many native names: Aaschoue, according to
Sonnini; Behbeyt, according to Geoffroy ; Sava, according to Rifaud. Mr. Loat has
noted the following :—* Galmier” (ksi), at Cairo; “wm’may’yar”(é.)), at Lusor ;
“sow eear” (és3yv), at Omdurman.
* Tr. Zool. Soc. xvi. 1901, p. 180, figs.
14 MORMYRID&.
7. GYMNARCHUS.
Cuvier, Régne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 357 (1829) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 225 (1866) ;
Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 821. 7
Teeth forming a single complete series on the entire edge of both jaws (14 in the
upper, 24-28 in the lower), with compressed, pointed, truncated, or slightly notched
crowns finely serrated on the sides; palate and tongue toothless; mouth wide, terminal.
Nostrils far apart, remote from the eye. Body much elongate, the tail gradually
attenuated into a filament. Dorsal fin occupying the whole length of the body; anal,
ventral, and caudal fins absent. Vertebre 114-120 (45-474 67-75). Air-bladder
cellular, lung-like. ae
A single species.
1. GYMNARCHUS NILOTICUS.
(Plate XIII.)
Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. 138 bis (1830).
Gymnarchus niloticus, Cuvier, Regne Anim. 2nd ed. il. p. 357 (1829); Erdl, Abh. Bayer. Ak. v.
1847, p. 209, pl. v. ; Heckel, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, vi. 1854, p. 11, pl. i.; Hyrtl, Denkschr.
Ak. Wien, xii. 1856, p. 1, pls. i-iv.; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. i. p. 257 (1869) ; Stein-
dachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wie lxi. i. 1870, p. 556 ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 821;
Budgett, Tr. Zool. Soc. xvi. 1901, p. 126, pl. xi. figs. 4 & 5. 3
Depth of body seven to ten and two-thirds times in the total length, length of head
five and one-third to six and three-fourths times. Head twice to twice and a half as
long as deep, a little more than twice as long as broad; snout rounded, scarcely
projecting beyond the lower jaw; eye very small; interorbital width one-seventh
(young) to one-fourth the length of the head; a strong fold of the skin connecting the
gill-openings across the isthmus. Dorsal fin with 183 to 200 rays, extending from the
nape to near the end of the tail. Pectoral fin rounded, one-third to one-fourth
the length of the head. Scales very small, largest along the middle of the side; the
skin of the muscular portion embracing the basal bones of the dorsal fin forming straight
or slightly wavy longitudinal folds, between which series of very small scales run. The
cylindrical portion of the tail projecting beyond the dorsal fin entirely covered with
minute scales or partly naked and of india-rubber-like consistence. Caudal region
about one-fourth longer than head and body.
Specimens in spirit are olive or brown above, whitish beneath, the end of the tail
blackish. A fresh specimen sketched by the late P. Delhez on the Senegal was of a
beautiful violet-purple on the back, shading to blackish purple behind, the lower parts
GYMNARCHUS. ne
yellowish white; upper surface of head greyish purple ; dorsal fin grey ; lips, pectoral
fins, and a narrow edge to the dorsal vermilion-red. Delhez observed, however, that
the red colour is not present in all specimens. The pupil of, the eye is orange.
Mr. Loat describes the Kawa specimen figured on Pl. XIII. as dark grey on the back,
lighter grey on the sides, very pale orange beneath ; the end of the tail blackish blue,
the dorsal fin greyish. Another specimen, from Fashoda, is described by Mr. Loat as
dull lilac above, greyish on the sides, whitish beneath, the dorsal fin greyish lilac.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays.
1 z 3 4. 4) 6 a 8
Foetal Jemeen Gada tea cole ar eee a | 1070 |-640 | 600 | 610 |:385 -| 300% 195 | 150
Greatest depth of body................ 130 68. 74 67 47 38 Zk 14
Length of head ....... ery eee et 98 88 &6 64 56 b4 | 24
Wid Tirol haat => gsc Gt hy ee eee ere 85 45 42 38 27 24 14 10
‘Length of snout ........ 6 SR eee page 2 Bor 8G Se 9 a
Diameter of ke gee eer eeege ine eee beets 6 4. 4 4 3 3 2 2
Interocular width ....... ae See AP 2 oF 4 3]. 19 i iE 6 4
| Widtliet- mouth. es pe eee 55 27 28 25 17 16 8 6
| Length of pectoral Aim... sede ah se — 46 24 24 26 19 16 fa y,
Number of rays in dorsal fin .......... 216 31-230 = | 26 1 Bee 1 20R sei 915 | 198
1. Kawa, White Nile.—Loat. 4, 5,6. Fashoda.—Loat.
2. Shari R.—Gosling. 7,8. Assay, Niger—Budgett.
3. Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez.
Gymnarchus niloticus has a wide distribution, extending from the Upper Nile * to
the Bahr-el-Ghazal and Lake Rudolf, and from the Senegal to the Niger, and its range
from east to west is apparently continuous, as it is on record from Lake Chad and the
Shari River.
According to Rifaud, the first discoverer of this remarkable fish, the native name in
the Upper Nile is Jerfar. According to Mr. Loat, the Arabic name is “ wier ” («,), at
Omdurman. |
* Giinther’s statement as to its occurrence in the Lower Nile is probably based on Erdl’s communication
(Gelehrt. Anz. Ak. Miinch. xxiii, 1846, p. 590) that it formed part of a collection made by “Dr. Prunner,
praktischer Arzt in Cairo,”
j pe
76 MORMYRIDZ.
List of specimens examined :—
1 Upper Nile.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Kawa, White Nile—Loat, 5.1.01.
6 Fashoda.—Loat, 18-29.3,01.
1 Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
1 (head only) Bahr-el-Ghazal.—Capt. Flower, 3.00.
1 Lake Rudolf at Galeba.—Zaphiro, 6.8.05.
1 Shari Wasu at Maidugari—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
14 Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
1 lLagos.—Sir A. Moloney, 1891.
1 Oguta, 8. Nigeria —Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
2 Assay, S. Nigeria—Budgett, 1903.
1 Niger.
2 West Africa.
“Mr. Loat observes that the fish when just taken out of the water and tapped on the
back sets its dorsal fin into a wavy motion, like the movements of cilia, running up
from the caudal region to the head.
Fig. 9.
Floating nest of Gymnarchus niloticus. (After Budgett )
The late J. S. Budgett has made the following observations on the life-history of
Gymnarchus niloticus in the Gambia :—
“While hunting for Polypterus eggs, 1 met with several large floating nests
measuring in all two feet in length and one in breadth. The nests were made in the
dense grasses of the swamp in three to four feet of water. ‘The inside measurement
was about a foot by six inches. Three sides of the nest projected from the water; the
fourth side was several inches lower, being about two inches below surface. The.
GYMNARCHUS. T7
deepest part of the nest was opposite to that side where the wall was low, the bottom
being about six inches below the surface of the water.
“In this nest were deposited about a thousand spherical amber-like eggs 10 millim..
in diameter. The eggs hatched five days after being laid, and in eighteen days a
thousand young fry of Gymnarchus niloticus left the nest when three inches long.
‘“ Though there are many interesting features in the development of these eggs, I do
not intend to deal with them in detail here, but merely to mention that the development
is exceedingly shark-like. The larvee soon after hatching develop extremely long
gill-filaments, which hang down in two blood-red bunches from the gill-arches, of
which there are four. The yolk-sac, at first spherical, later becomes drawn out into a
long cylindrical bag, attached somewhat far behind for a Teleostean, and covered with
Ss
Larva of Gymnarchus niloticus, six days after hatching. (After Budgett.)
a vascular network. ‘The tail is from first to last perfectly diphycercal, and is at first
provided with a dorsal and a ventral fin-fold reaching right to the tip of the tail.
Before leaving the nest, both outer gill-flaments and yolk-sac are absorbed and the
mature form is reached.
“Immediately after hatching, the larve commence their characteristic movements,
throwing the head and fore part of the body from side to side incessantly. The larve
are at first so small in proportion to the size of the yolk-sac, that they are quite unable
to move it. By this constant movement the larve tend towards the surface, and the
weight of the yolk tending downwards, the yolk-sac becomes gradually drawn out into
the long appendage already mentioned. About three days after hatching, the larve
are strong enough by their movements to raise the yolk-sac off the bottom of the nest
for a moment, but it is quickly drawn back by its weight. By the tenth day after
hatching, the larve are able to drag their yolk-sac to the surface of the water, when
78 MORMYRID&.
they take a gulp of air into their lung-like swim-bladder and fall again to the bottom
on reaching which they again start for the surface with unceasing regularity, so that
when looked at from above the nest of Gymnarchus, with its swarm of scarlet-bearded,
yolk-hampered larvee, presents a most amazing spectacle. __ |
“ By the time the huge yolk-sac has been completely absorbed, the young larve are
ready to leave the nest. They still, however, continue their ceaseless journeyings to
the surface for air. It may now be noticed, however, that the passage back to the
bottom of the nest is not merely a passive falling, but that the young larve actually
dart backwards from the surface. When the young Gymnarchus leaves the nest it has
fully developed the characteristic cylindrical tail of the adult, and in this connection
its habits are very interesting.
“The Gymnarchus propels itself through the water, not by the action of its paired
fins, not by the motion of the axis of its body, but entirely by the action of its dorsal
fin. When Gymnarchus starts forwards, the motion is the result of a series of waves
passing backwards along the dorsal fin. About five such waves are passing at a time.
Suddenly the fish will proceed at the same rate in the opposite direction, and now the
motion is the result of a series of waves passing forwards along the dorsal fin. As the
Gymnarchus swims rapidly backwards in this way, it may be seen to guide itself through
the grasses by using this peculiar tail which it possesses as a feeler. ‘Thus it appears
to be quite immaterial to the fish which way it progresses, and it always appears to
swim in comparatively straight lines.
“ How Gymnarchus constructs the wonderful floating nest in which it lays its eggs I
have been unable to observe. The natives approach these nests with great caution,
stating that the parent is at this time extremely fierce and has a very formidable bite.
Both the adult fish and its eggs are greatly sought after as food.
«A large number of the young fry of Gymnarchus, which I had caught immediately
after they left the nest, lived well on chopped-up worms. I tried to bring some of
them to England alive, but every one died as we got into colder climes.”
NOTOPTERID 2: 72
NOTOPTERID Az.
Margin of the upper jaw formed by the premaxillaries and the maxillaries, the latter
the more developed ; parietal bones separating the supraoccipital from the frontals; a
large hole on each side of the skull, between the squamosal, the exoccipital, and the
epiotic; symplectic present ; no suboperculum ; interoperculum small, hidden under
the preoperculum *. Nopharyngeal teeth. Ribs sessile ; accessory bones (adpleurals)
attached to the extremity of the anterior ribs, with which they may be fused, and
embraced by ossifications forming a double ventral serrature ; preecaudal vertebrae with
transverse processes in front of the ribs. Pectoral fins folding against the body.
Air-bladder communicating with the ear. No oviducts.
Skeleton, with outline of soft parts, of Notopterus afer. (From ‘Cambridge Natural History.’)
The bones of the head are cavernous; the mouth is large, and the maxillary bone is
toothed as well as the preemaxillary.
The body is very strongly compressed, with very short precaudal region, attenuate
behind ; the ventral fins are much reduced or absent; the dorsal fin is short or absent,
and the anal is much elongate and confluent with the caudal, which may be regarded
as aborted, having lost the hypural bone, which in homocercal fishes supports the
caudal rays. ‘The air-bladder is very large, with several divisions, forked in front and
behind f. |
* On the structure of the skull, ¢f. Ridewood, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xxix. 1904, p. 202.
ol,
r Uf. Bridge, Journ. Linn. Soe., Zool. xxvii. 1900, p. 503.
80 NOTOPTERIDZ.
These fishes, which constitute an isolated group having affinities with the
Mormyride, live in marshes and lakes, fresh-water or brackish, and feed on worms
and insects. Nothing is known of their breeding-habits and development.
‘Two genera only: Notopterus, Lacep., with three species from India, Burma, and
the Malay region, and one from West Africa, and Xenomystus, Gthr., here described.
1, XENOMYSTUS.
Giinther, Cat. Fish. vu. p. 479 (1868) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 118 (1901).
Body elongate and very strongly compressed, tapering behind, the vent far forwards ;
scales very small and cycloid; lateral line more or less distinct; a double series of
erectile spines forming a ventral serrature. Mouth large, with small and numerous
sharp teeth forming a narrow band, with an outer series of larger teeth; maxillary
overlapped by the suborbitals; teeth on the vomer, the palatines, the pterygoids, the
parasphenoid, and the tongue. Nostril widely separated, the posterior near the eye,
the anterior with a tentacle, No pseudobranchie. ‘Three branchiostegal rays. No
dorsal fin ; anal fin much elongate, beginning immeuiately behind the vent and confluent
with the small rudimentary caudal. Ventral fins rudimentary. Air-bladder forked
behind, prolonged on each side of the caudal region. Vertebre 70 (10+60).
A single species, inhabiting a considerable part of Tropical Africa.
1, XENOMYSTUS NIGRI.
(Plate XIV. fig. 1.)
Notopterus nigri, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 481 (1868).
Notopterus (Xenomystus) nili, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxxiil. i. 1881, p. 196, pl. iv. fig. 2.
Notopterus (Xenomystus) nigri, Steindachner, Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 85.
Xenomystus nigri, Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 118 (1901).
Depth of body four and one-third to five times in the total length, length of head
six to seven and three-fourths times. Snout very short, shorter than the eye, the
diameter of which is contained three to three and a half times in the length of the
head and equals or nearly equals the interocular width ; mouth very oblique, extending
to below the anterior third or the centre of the eye; nasal tentacle long and attenuate,
measuring three-fifths to two-thirds the diameter of the eye; preorbital, suborbitals,
preoperculum, and mandible with the edge strongly serrated; preeoperculum with a
XENOMYSTUS. 81
serrated ridge, parallel with the lower border. Gull-membranes extending without a
notch across the isthmus. Gill-rakers very short, tubercular, 9 to 11 on lower part of
anterior arch. Anal fin with 108 to 130 rays, including the caudal, the longest
measuring about three-fourths the length of the head. Pectoral fin as long as the
head or a little shorter. Ventral serrature formed of 26 to 30 rather strong spines.
120 to 142 scales in the lateral line.
This fish is uniform brownish in spirit. Sketches made by the late P. Delhez in
the Congo represent it as dark purple or purplish brown, the anal olive-grey, the iris
dark bronzy green, the pupil sometimes orange.
200 millim, seems to be the maximum length reached by this species, which is
therefore much smaller than its African relative Notopterus afer.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4, 5 6 7
Total length (without caudal) ...........-.- eee, 195 | 190 | 180 | 155 | 150 | 120 95
Grestest depthrol body G2. 42 tee we 4] 38 37 31 39 24 19
Length: onhead OLX.) eicies cy cn oe ce ees 27 25 24 20 23 18 14
Width 0: head (4 op hci See ee 13 12 12 10 10 8 6
Lenoth Of sn6tte fo. sn ae ae eee 6 5 5 t 5 4 3
Diameter of eye...... anh awe eakre se ee 8 8 ‘i 6 64 6 4
Enterecular width cole eae cia ees 8 7 4 6 7 54 4
heneti Of pectoral F408 soe hes et ances pee 23 23 23 20 20 15 13
Number of rays in anal fin (including caudal) ....| 116 | 128 | 122 | 180 | 114 | 115 | 117
. senjandn Jahennhs me. igo vcccs pots we acs 1871388 182 2 580 = 12k eG 1
1. Monsembe, Congo.— Weeks. 5. Niger.—Fraser. (Type.)
2. Bahr-el-Gebel.— Marno. 6. Bangala Country, Congo.—De Meuse.
3,4. LL. Chad.—Gosling. 7. Gondokoro.— Werner.
First described from the Niger, Xenomystus nigrt has since been found in Liberia,
in the Gaboon, in the Congo, in the White Nile, and in Lake Chad. ‘The specimens
described by Steindachner as X. nilé were obtained in the Bahr-el-Zeraf and the
Bahr-el-Gebel by the Austrian traveller Marno. Dr. F. Werner found further
specimens at Gondokoro.
82 NOTOPTERID #4.
In the Congo, X. nigrz has been found principally in the grass of marshy creeks,
where it feeds on worms and insects; its movements are very quick.
List of specimens examined :—
Bahr-el-Gebel.—Dr. Marno, 1873. (Type of WV. nili, Stdr.)
Gondokoro.—Dr. F. Werner, 1904.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
Niger.—Fraser, 1851. (Type.)
Gaboon.—R. B. N. Walker, 1868.
Kondo-Kondo, Ogowe.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
Bangala Country, Congo.—De Meuse, 1896.
Kutu, L. Leopold II.—Delhez, 1898.
Thali, L. Leopold I1.—Delhez, 1898.
Congo, 50 miles 8. of Mangala.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1895.
Monsembe, Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1901.
Upper Congo.—Brussels University, 1899.
Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1901.
pr
Through the courtesy of my friend Dr. F. Werner I have been favoured with the
loan of one of the type specimens of Notopterus nili, from Dr. Marno’s collection,
preserved in the Zoological Museum of the University of Vienna, ‘This is the
specimen figured on Plate XY. fig. 1.
HETEROTIS. 83
OSTEOGLOSSID.
Margin of the upper jaw formed by the premaxillaries and the maxillaries, the
latter the more developed ; nasal bones large and in contact with each other; parietal
bones separating the supraoccipital from the frontals; suboperculum much reduced
and entirely or partially concealed under the preoperculum *. No pharyngeal teeth.
Ribs inserted on the strong parapophyses; epipleurals, no epineurals. Pectoral fins
low down, folding against the body. Head scaleless, the thin skin confluent with the
bones ; body covered with large bony scales, composed of pieces like mosaic. No
oviducts.
Re. \ \ . RRA WA
Mane e \ \ » VW’ NN N
Tet AN ANS As . CON C \
ee aE om \ ‘ NR \
R > SSS ~ 2, S s S ‘
SOS SAS ns MW Aa,» \ &
S : RS =~ RS = WS NS PAA ASS
SAV ogee ep ESSAY 8
TS ST, . : Ws
SIRRSEVGKE ae
SSS Qasr eee
PNR aH ie
Skeleton of Heterotis niloticus. (After Hemprich & Ehrenberg.)
This family is represented by four genera: Osteoglossum and Arapaima in South
America, Scleropages in Australia and the Malay Archipelago, and Heterotis in Africa.
1. HETEROTIS.
Sudis (non Rafinesque), part., Cuvier, Régne Anim. i. p. 180 (1817).
Heterotis (Ehrenberg), Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 465 (1846).
Helicobranchus, Hyrtl, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, viil. 1854, p. 86.
Mouth moderate, with small conical teeth forming a single series in the pre-
maxillaries, maxillaries, and dentaries; groups of villiform teeth on the entopterygoids
and on the tongue. Branchiostegal rays 7 or 8. Body strongly compressed. Dersal
* For a detailed account of the craniological characters of this family, cf. Ridewood, Journ. Linn. Soc.,
Zool. xxix. 1905, p. 252.
M 2
84 OSTEOGLOSSID &.
and anal fins nearly equally developed, on the caudal region of the body, elongate and
narrowly separated from the small caudal; ventral fins nearer end of snout than caudal
fin. Vertebre 27-+42-43. Air-bladder cellular, lodged in the closed hzmal arches
of the caudal vertebre. Fourth branchial arch with an accessory breathing-organ.
Fig. 13.
Gill-helix of Heterotis niloticus. (After Hemprich & Ehrenberg.)
The accessory breathing-organ is a spirally-coiled “ gill-helix,” supported by the
dorsal segment of the fourth branchial arch, enclosed in a cecal extension of the
branchial cavity, and derives its blood from the fourth afferent branchial artery *.
1. HETEROTIS NILOTICUS.
(Plate XV.)
Sudis niloticus (Khrenberg), Cuvier, Regne Anim. 2nd ed. i. p. 328 (1829); Riippell, Beschr. n.
Fische Nil, p. 10, pl. ii. fig. 2 (1829).
Sudis adansonii, Cuvier, l. ¢.
Garafche, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exe. (1830).
Fleterotis ehrenbergit, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xix. p. 469, pls. ececelxxxili. & eececlxxxiv.
(1846).
Fleterotis adansoni, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 478.
Hleterotis ehrenbergu, Hyrtl, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, viii. 1854, p. 73, pls. 1.-111.
Hleterotis niloticus, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 380 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 266 (1869) ;
Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxi. i. 1870, p. 565, pl. viii. fig. 2 ; Hemprich & Hhrenberg,
Symb. Phys., Zool. pl. i. and Zoot. pls. viii. & ix. (1899) ; Budgett, Tr. Zool. Soc. xvi. 1901,
p-. 128, pl. x1. figs. 6 & 7.
Depth of body three and a half to four and a half times in the total length, length
of head three and a half to four and three-fourths times. Head short and thick,
* Of. Hyrtl, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, viii. 1854, p. 85, pl. 11. fig. 2 & pl. ui. fig.1. This paper deals with the
general anatomy of the fish.
HETEROTIS. 8)
convex above, its upper surface and sides rugose, eranulate in the adult, with large
sensory pits; snout short, rounded, three and three-fifths to five times in the length
of the head; eye perfectly lateral, its diameter five and a half to eight times in the
length of the head and twice to three and one-fourth times in the interorbital width ;
mouth with thick lips, straight and transverse in front, obliquely bent on the sides,
nearly square when fully open, extending to below the anterior border of the eye or a
little beyond ; a very large dermal flap borders the gill-cover. Gill-rakers long and
slender, closely set. Dorsal fin with 32 to 87 thick rays, beginning a little further
back than the anal, which is very similar and contains 34 to 39 rays; the longest rays
measure two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, and extend beyond the base of
the caudal. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed, three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the
head. Ventral fin with 6 rays, one-third to two-fifths the length of the head. Caudal
fin short, rounded. Caudal peduncle very short. Scales more or less rugose, 32 to 38
in the lateral line, s in a transverse series on the body in front of the ventral fin,
; between the origin of the dorsal fin and the anal. Lateral line extending in a
straight line from above the gill-cover to the middle of the caudal peduncle; the
canals tubular in the young, deep grooves in the adult.
According to Riippell, the fish is reddish brown above, flesh-coloured beneath, the
fins brownish red, the iris orange. Rifaud represents the head and sides as olive-
green, the back olive-brown, the lips and lower parts pale brown. A sketch made by
Delhez on the Senegal represents the fish as pale brown above, yellowish tinged with
red on the sides, pinkish white beneath, the sensory pits bluish grey; fins brownish
erey; mouth, sides of head, and iris golden yellow. And, finally, Mr. Zaphiro has
noted the colour of a specimen from Lake Rudolf as greyish, tinged with amber, the
fins greyish, the iris white. In the young, the dorsal and anal fins may be marked
with rather indistinct darker longitudinal streaks, and each of the scales of the caudal
region of the body may bear a round dark spot.
The largest specimen in the British Museum measures 800 millimetres.
Heterotis niloticus is known from the Upper Nile, the White Nile, Lake Rudolf,
Lake Chad, the Senegal, the Gambia, and the Niger. According to Steindachner, 1t
is not rare in brackish water at the mouth of the Senegal.
List of specimens examined :—
Nile.
El Kirbekan, near Korti, in pond left by receding Nile.—Loat, 39.5.00
Omdurman.—-Loat, 20.12.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, i862.
Fashoda.—Loat, 18-19.1.01.
White Nile, lat. 9°.—Petherick, 1862.
Gabt-el-Megahid, between Sobat and Bahr-el-Zeraf.—Capt. Flower, 15.4.00.
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CARES ces Sa TIN 3 see er fleas ‘+ 90 Jo aoqourergy
qnous jo yyouery
OE Sa NS tea ie ee LSI “+++ peay JO WIPTAL
PURE hy uit Meu tL a mea ** peay Jo yySuery
Spa a eae Satna -+ssssssss qndep qsoqvery
({epNvo JroyyIA) Y}SUsyT [eG],
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HETEROTIS, S7
1 Galeba, Lake Rudolf, 1800 f.—Zaphiro, 6.8.05.
2 St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
1 Gambia.—Budgett, 1900.
4 Niger.—Dalton, 1863.
1 Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
2 Assay, Lower Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
Garafche is the Arabic name of this fish, according to Rifaud; Riippell says it is
named Gischer by the fishermen at Dongola; “ Noag” (_;},3), at Omdurman, according
to Loat.
P. Delhez has noted that the fish has a strong musky odour.
Fig. 14.
Nest of Heterotis niloticus. (After Budgett.)
Budgett has made us acquainted with the breeding-habits and larve of this
remarkable fish. His published observations are here reproduced :—
‘In the same swamps [where Gymnarchus was observed], a most striking feature
is the presence of numbers of enormous nests, which proved to be those of Heterotis
niloticus. These nests measured four feet in diameter, and were made in about two
feet of water. In wading through the reed-choked swamp, when one came across one
88 OSTEOGLOSSID 2.
of these structures they appeared like miniature lagoons. ‘The walls of the nest were
about eight inches thick at the top, and compact, being made of the stems of the
grasses removed by the fish from the centre of the nest.
“The floor of the nest was the swamp-bottom, and was made perfectly smooth and
bare.
“Once I watched a ‘Fantang,’ as the natives call this fish, making its nest. It
was circling round and round the wall of its nest, every now and then throwing its
tail upwards and outwards, tossing on to the top of the wall the débris from the inside
of the nest. Thus it toiled on until the wall reached the surface of the water and was
complete. When the nest was finished, the water it contained was perfectly clean
and clear, so that I could see with my water-telescope the eggs nearly covering the
bottom of the nest.. When all the eggs are laid, the fish leaves the nest by a hole at
one side.
“The eggs, which measure 24 mm., then appear to hatch in about two days, though,
owing to the distance the nests were from my quarters, of this I am not certain. ‘The
nest appears to be used for at most four or five days. As soon as the larvee are
hatched, they begin to strike up from the bottom. The day after hatching they may
be seen continually passing up and down, and are now provided with long external
eill-filaments of a blood-red colour, but not so numerous or so long as in the case of
Gymnarchus. The following day they cease to pass up and down, and, converging to a
swarm about one foot in diameter, form a deep continuous circle remarkable for its
regularity and persistence.
«The swarm occupies the centre of the little lagoon. The young fry, which by now
have lost the long external gill-filaments, are seen to be steadily careering round and
round ever in the same direction for at least a day.
“ About the fourth day the swarm becomes less persistent and regular, the larve
swimming first to one side of the nest and then to the other, until about the fifth day
they leave the nest by the exit for a few trial trips attended by the parent, and finally
leave it altogether, swimming hither and thither in a dense swarm, from which the
parent is never far distant. I kept a large number of the young for several weeks, but
could not get them to feed, and eventually they all died.”
. CLUPEA. 89
‘CLUPEIDA.
Margin of the upper jaw formed by the premaxillaries and the maxillaries, the latter
the more developed; supraoccipital bone separating the small parietals; opercular
bones well developed. Ribs mostly sessile, inserted behind parapophyses; inter-
muscular bones (epineurals, epipleurals, adpleurals) usually numerous. Pectoral fins
low down, folding against the body; postclavicle applied to outer side of clavicle.
Head scaleless. Air-bladder communicating with the ear.
A large family of mostly marine fishes, represented in the Nile by a single
anadromous species of the genus Clupea.
| 1. CLUPEA.
Linneeus, Syst. Nat. 1. p. 522 (1766), part.; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 412 (1868).
Mouth moderate or large ; teeth small or absent; upper jaw not projecting beyond
the lower; maxillary formed of three pieces. Branchiostegal rays 6 to 10. Body
compressed, with an abdominal serrature formed of bony scutes; scales moderate or
large; no lateral line. Dorsal fin short, opposite to the ventrals and anterior to the
anal, which is more elongate. Vertebre 40 to 59.
Of almost cosmopolitan distribution.
1. CLUPEA FINTA.
(Plate XIV. fig. 2.)
Clupea alosa, Linnzeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Paleest. p. 430 (1762), and Syst. Nat. i. p. 523 (1766),
part.
Clupea sprattus (non Linneeus), Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 296, pl. xxiii. fig. 3 (1799).
Clupea nilotica, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 286, pl. x. fig. 1 (1827).
Clupea jinta, Cuvier, Regne Anim. ii. 2nd ed. p. 320 (1829); Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 435
(1868), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 264 (1869).
Alosa jinta, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829).
Alausa vulgaris, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xx. p. 391 (1847).
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and two-fifths to three and two-thirds
times in the total length ; length of head three and two-thirds to five times. Top of
head somewhat concave, the concavity bordered by two oblique ridges converging on
N
90 CLUPEIDA.
the occiput ; snout short, as long as the eye in the young, a little longer in the adult:
eye with a very distinct transparent lid in front and behind; diameter of eye five
(young) to six and two-thirds times in the length of the head, equal to the interorbital
width in the young, about five-sixths that width in the adult; mouth large, oblique ;
upper jaw notched in the middle, lower jaw slightly projecting, with small teeth in the
young, toothless in the adult; maxillary large, extending to below the posterior third
of the eye in the young, to below the posterior border of the eye or a little beyond in
the adult; operculum with radiating strize descending towards the suboperculum.
Gill-rakers slender, 20 to 23 on the lower part of the anterior arch; the longest
measuring one-half to two-thirds the diameter of the eye*. Dorsal fin small, with
17 to 20 rays, 13 to 16 of which are branched, originating nearer to the end of the
snout than to the root of the caudal fin; anterior branched rays longest. Anal fin
low, with 21 to 24 rays, 18 to 21 branched, originating a little nearer to the base of
the ventral fin than to the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin pointed, three-fifths to
two-thirds the length of the head; a scaly pointed appendage above its base. Ventral
fin small, a little behind the vertical of the origin of the dorsal fin, also with a scaly
appendage above its base. The distance between the base of the pectoral fin and that
of the ventral equals the distance between the latter and the vent. Caudal fin covered
with small scales at the base, deeply forked, with pointed lobes, the lower often a little
longer than the upper. Caudal peduncle a little longer than deep. Scales smooth
and thin, deciduous, 58 to 64 in a longitudinal series, 18 to 20 in a transverse series ;
19 to 21 bony keeled Jong scutes between the isthmus and the ventral fins, 13 to 15
between the latter and the vent.
Back greenish or bluish, steel-colour, sides and belly silvery white ; a blackish spot
behind the upper part of the gill-cover, sometimes followed by a series of four or five
smaller spots on the body; fins whitish or greyish, the caudal fin often edged with
blackish; iris silvery or pale golden. Mr. Loat describes young specimens from
Samannud as dark brownish on the dorsal surface, shot with various colours, mostly
blue and green, dusted with gold specks ; some yellowish orange on the caudal fin.
Total length of largest specimen 360 millimetres.
In view of the great uncertainty which still prevails as regards the forms clustering
round Clupea alosay, and so as not to add further to the existing confusion, the
* In the Nile they do not appear to vary in number or in relative size with age.
t+ Cf. Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lvii. i. 1868, p.737; Benecke, Naturg. Fische, p. 168 (1886); Horst,
Tijdschr. Nederl. Dierk. Ver. (2) i. 1886, p. xlix ; Fatio, Faune Vert. Suisse, iv. p. 40 (1890); Smitt, Scandin.
Tish. ii. p. 983 (1895); Ehrenbaum, Wiss. Meeresunters. Kiel, (2) 1. 1896, p. 54; Hoek, Tijdschr. Nederl.
Dierk. Ver. (2) vi. 1900, p. 212. The observations of the latter author invalidate Fatio’s suggestion that
the gill-rakers, after having increased in number up to a certain age, may decrease again in large specimens.
A renewed study of the Shads of Europe is much needed, but it appears tolerably certain to me that the
Shad of the Nile is specifically identical with the Twaite of Northern Europe, and is correctly named
Clupea fintau.
CLUPBEA. 91
above description is taken exclusively from, and the synonymic references apply only
to, Egyptian specimens, of which I have examined the following number :-—
1 Bahr-el-Tawilah, fresh-water canal about 5 miles from its entrance into Lake Menzaleh.—Loat,
26.6.99.
5 Samannud, Damietta branch of Nile——Loat, 14—22.7.99.
2 Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 29-30.7.99.
1 Cairo.—Loat, 2.7.00.
1 Near Cairo, close to barrage, downstream side.—Loat, 19.3.99.
3 Near Cairo, close to barrage, upstream side.—Loat, 4.8.99.
1 Birket Karun, Fayum.—Loat, 29.9.99.
2 Nile—Rev. O. P. Cambridge, 1864.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
i 2 3 4. 5) 6 7
| Total length @without caudal): 2.550.235 345 vee: Samo -) 2300) Tarot 120 7 106 90
| Gresteat Tepe Sa cn deg aueceuate seep eect Means ECOG ee pe tO Bho Ge oS
pReugiina? tenet a. on ee eam We | 62) Bo cee ee | 2g hope
|: Wadth of digad nt Schoen eee cape eee take 38 30 23 15 13 11 9
| eexiguhe gt suey eee Cee abe. «sey eae een a ON 17 15 14 9 8 6 5
PRtHeTE GE BY Ge Vu oe sa ys end oe Sones a Ce es 15 13 12 8 7: 6 5
| Urvbenerbatant widely onl lye elegy acaatan eet Berlin ae 8 7 6 5
boneesiciayo: sonal Ge. as te Se so 38 35 29 20 17 15 14
os sa oe ON. Ral ee 19 16 14. 10 10 7 6
Benet Or Geers ada se ce SD ince Aged as sos sheen me A5 40 35 23 20 7 16
Numabet of pays tn ages is 52 yew: 5:0 aoa pis inet 17 18 1 20 20 20 20
‘ AR i uk Leng Der pg a Pera ad e aie: 23 ye Gea Re 22 24 23 23
c scales in a longitudinal series.......... 58 60 60 61 64 58 60
- bony scutes between isthmus and ventral.} 20 19 val 20 20 24 20
vs e Bi ventral and vent ..| 14 ss Soe pre es 15 12 15 14
1. Birket Karun.—Loat. 3. Nile.—Cambridge.
2,4, 5,7. Near Cairo.—Loat. 6. Samannud.—Loat.
92 CLUPEIDA.
The habitat of this fish, the Twaite Shad, extends from the North Sea to the
Mediterranean; during the breeding-season adult individuals ascend rivers for the
purpose of breeding—in the Nile as far up as the Fayum. According to Mr. Loat,
this Shad is fairly common at Cairo in January and February, while the rest of the
year very few are taken. It is a rare fish in the Bahr Yusuf and the Birket Karun.
The eggs, as observed in France and Germany, are heavier than the fresh water in
which they are laid, but, unlike the herring’s eggs, they are quite free, do not adhere
to anything. ‘The larve are transparent and slender.
Native names :—“ Sagboga,” according to Hasselquist; according to Mr. Loat
“ Sardeena” (sjsu), at Kafr-el-Zayat, also at Cairo, Samannud, and in the Fayum ;
and “ Sarboura” (%,4), at Kafr-el-Zayat, Cairo, Rosetta. Generally speaking,
small examples of this species are called “ Sardeena” and big ones “ Sarboura.”
Another species of Clupea occurs in Lake Menzaleh, but does not ascend rivers.
This is C. maderensis, Lowe, easily distinguished from C. finta by the thicker,
striated scales numbering only 45 to 50 in a longitudinal series, and by the shorter
mouth, the maxillary extending only to below the anterior third of the eye.
CROMERIA. 93
- CROMERIID &.
Margin of the upper jaw formed by the preemaxillaries and the maxillaries; supra-
occipital large and widely separating the very small parietals; opercular bones well
developed ; symplectic absent. Body naked. Precaudal vertebre with parapophyses ;
ribs and epipleurals slender, the former sessile. Pectoral fin inserted low down,
folding like the ventrals. No postclavicle.
A single genus.
1. CROMERIA.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 445.
Mouth small and toothless, inferior. Giull-opening narrow, lateral; three branchio-
stegal rays. Body elongate, compressed, scaleless. Dorsal and anal fins short, on the
caudal portion of the body. Vertebre 42 to 45 (28-30+14-15). Air-bladder long
and slender, extending along the whole precaudal part of the body.
In its elongate, naked body and the posterior position of the dorsal fin, the remarkable
fish named after Lord Cromer bears much resemblance to the Galaxiide, of which
representatives occur in South Africa, and I first referred it to that family. But,
owing to its very small size, its anatomy could not be investigated without great
skill, and I therefore handed specimens over to Dr. H. H. Swinnerton, who very
kindly undertook the examination * which has enabled me to fix its correct position
in the system, resulting in the establishment of a special family in the Suborder
Malacopterygii. ‘This has been settled by the discovery of the mesocoracoid bone, the
presence of which I had been unable to detect. The absence of this bone
differentiates the Suborder Haplomi, to which the families Galaxiide and Kneriide
belong. Dr. Swinnerton’s investigations were made mainly by means of microscopic
sections and wax models, and his results are here reproduced, in abstract, together
with the figures drawn by him, efter the definition of the species.
* Zool. Jahrb., Anat. xvi. 1903, p. 58.
94 CROMERIIDZ.
1. CROMERIA NILOTICA.
(Plate XIV. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 445; Swinnerton, Zool. Jahrb., Anat.
xVill, 1903) p08, gs.
Depth of body six and a half to eight times in the total length, length of head five
to six times. Snout rounded, projecting strongly beyond the mouth, the width of
which is about six times in the length of the head; diameter of eye about five times
in the length of the head. Dorsal fin with 9 or 10 rays, 3 or 4 of which are
rudimentary, 5 branched, opposite to the space between the ventrals and the anal,
about twice as distant from the end of the snout as from the base of the caudal fin;
longest rays three-fourths to four-fifths the length of the head. Anal fin with 9 or 10
rays, 3 or 4 of which are rudimentary, 5 branched, similar to the dorsal, nearly equally
distant from the ventrals and from the base of the caudal. Pectoral fin three-fourths
or four-fifths as long as the head, longer than the ventral. Caudal fin forked, with a
deep crescentic notch, the lobes pointed. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once
and two-thirds as long as deep, with a fold of skin above and below, which extends
from the caudal fin nearly to the dorsal and anal fins.
Colourless, except a bright yellow stripe dotted with black along the dorsal line and
the lower edge of the caudal peduncle, and a blackish line along each side of the
caudal peduncle.
Measurements (in millimetres).
ANSON Eos sig’ Meee FE ak ean ne Oo eg ed OR oa See eae ae OS aS
6 sre cms UMMC RUE AC MIM ML) aN see ee ee Sy le Bl
(Reaver UCW PI Gun DORI <a ets War Dun eR ES gallate esha gas 4
Length of head . D
Width of head . Libs, Meare 13
cme ryt maneiie csc, ee ae ee ee RS ed,
$f 5 Baral 34
Length of pectoral . 4
Several specimens were obtained at Fashoda (2-3.01) and in Lake No (2.01) by
Mr. Loat.
Many of the peculiarities of the crauium are due mainly to the enormous size of the
brain. This projects dorsally and separates the frontals widely from each other.
These bones therefore do not take any part in the roofing-over of the cranial cavity,
but, on account of their large size, they occupy nearly half of its side wall. Those otic
bones which are usually seen in the dorsal aspect are likewise shifted to the sides;
apart from this, their relationships to one another are quite normal; the opisthotic is
absent.
an,
— hym.
10).
mM.
mopt.
Nt.
op.
OSp.
to be the more correct view.
CROMERIA. 95
The alisphenoid is largely developed. In the occipital arch all elements are
present, and both supra- and basioccipital take part in the formation of the foramen
magnum. One small membrane-bone in this region is difficult to homologise ; it may
be regarded as the parietal or as the squamosal; for several reasons. the former seems
Fig. 15.
SO i aN
‘ \ f . : :
pl mpt wp Pp bine tidal, cl c
Side view of skull, upper view of cranium, and external view of pectoral girdle. x 25.
Angular. ». Parietal.
. Articular. pe. Parethmoid.
. Alisphenoid. pl. Palatine.
. Basioccipital. pm. Premaxilla.
. Coracoid. pop. Preoperculum.
Clavicle. ps. Parasphenoid.
. Dentary. pt. Pterygoid.
. Epiotie. pto. Pterotic.
. Exoccipital. ptt. Post-temporal.
. Frontal. q. Quadrate.
Hyomandibular. se. Scapula.
Interoperculum. sel. Supraclavicle.
Maxilla. so. Suborbitals.
Metapterygoid. soc. Supraoccipital.
Fused mesethmoid, nasal, and suborbital. sop. Subuperculum.
Operculum. sp. Sphenotic.
Orbitosphenoid. v. Vomer.
The supraoccipital is so large that one naturally expects
to find the parietals widely separated. The pterotic is large.
The anterior region of the cranium shows signs of reduction, and is characterised by
the presence of a peculiar bone (m), which seems to be formed by the fusion of a
minute mesethmoid with the two nasals and with the solitary suborbitals of either side.
a CROMERIIDZ.
The remainder of this region is the only part of the cranium proper in which cartilage
remains; posteriorly it extends backwards over the parasphenoid, and dorsally it
presents vestiges of supraorbital bands. The ventral surface of both cartilaginous and
ossified portions is marked by a deep groove, in which lie the vomer and the para-
sphenoid ; these bones are both edentulous and are fused with each other.
In the hyosuspensorial apparatus, the chief feature to be noticed is the absence of a
symplectic. The metapterygoid might be mistaken for this bone, but, unlike the true
symplectic in other Teleosteans, it has no cartilaginous connection with the hyo-
mandibular ; it is continuous, however, in front with the pterygoquadrate cartilage,
and is formed by ossification of the same. The real extent of the pterygoquadrate
cartilage is concealed by the single pterygoid. Ventrally there is a small quadrate
ossification with a long process which overlaps the preoperculum. In front, the
cartilage is replaced by the slender palatine bone. Epihyal, ceratol:yal bearing three
branchiostegal rays, a single hypohyal, and an unossified basihyal make up the
remainder of the hyoid arch.
All the opercular bones are present.
Both premaxilla and maxilla are small; the latter overlaps the former distally and
enters largely into the formation of the gape.
The branchial skeleton is remarkable for the position of the anterior extremity of
the pharygobranchial series, which is on a level with the front end of the first
basibranchial ; another peculiar feature is the general tendency to exhibit fenestration
at the joints. ‘The first pharyngobranchial, like the first basibranchial, is cartilaginous ;
the other basibranchials (2 to 5) are ossified.
The pectoral girdle is attached by the greatly elongated arm of a bifurcated post-
temporal to the supraoccipital bone. All the usual dermal elements except the
postclavicle are present. ‘The rod-like coracoid bones are in contact with each other
anteriorly by means of cartilaginous epiphyses. A slender mesccoracoid bone is
present.
The centra of the vertebrae are nearly cylindrical, so that the contained chorda is
only slightly constricted. In the tail no separate vertebre are present in the upturned
portion of the axis; there are three hypural bones. ‘The ribs, which are present on
all the precaudal vertebre except the first, articulate with processes on the second
centrum, and with the centra themselves on the rest. A simple epipleural is attached
close to the head on each riv.
CHARACINIDA. O07
OSTARIOPHYSI.
CHARACINIDE.
Mouth non-protractile, usually bordered by the preemaxillaries and the maxzillaries,
rarely by the premaxillaries only; jaws usually toothed. Parietal bones united in a
sagittal suture or separated bya fontanelle ; opercular bones well developed ; symplectic
present. Pharyngeal bones normal, with small teeth. Ribs mostly sessile; no para-
pophyses in the thoracic region; epipleurals and epineurals mostly free, floating.
Pectoral fins inserted very low down, folding like the ventrals. Body covered with
scales. An adipose dorsal fin often present.
A very generalized group *, confined to the fresh waters of Africa and Central and
South America. The species number about 500, of which only one-fifth are African.
Of the twenty African genera only eight are represented in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Genera.
I. Hyprocyonrna.—Teeth strong; maxillary well developed ; scales not ciliated; lateral line
nearer ventral than dorsal outline.
Teeth compressed, unicuspid, ina single series . . st gee ig IOC O
Teeth in two series in the upper jaw, silat this inner with
obliquely truncated or molariform excavated crowns ; mandibular
teeth pluricuspid, in a single series followed behind by a pair of
COnied! Chk = Vibes a eee eer : . 2. Alestes, M. & T.
Teeth in two series in the upper Jaw, Gunna aa pladouspads
mandibular teeth similar, followed behind by a pair of conical
feet: 4 Voie? OM Ree pear dk ee eee ge en eed
II. IcnrHyoporinz.—Teeth strong; maxillary much reduced; scales ciliated; lateral line
median.
Large canine teeth anteriorly ; upper jaw freely movable upwards ;
monn leteeet0 . Seay Re Seine erase ae are Se POMe GUO PUR, (AEE
* On the anatomy, cf. Sagemehl, Morphol. Jahrb. x. 1885, p. 102, and xii. 1887, p. 307, and Rowntree,
Tr. Linn. Soc., 2nd ser. Zool. ix. 1903, p. 47.
O
98 CHARACINIDZ.
III. DistrcHopontin#.—Teeth small, bicuspid; maxillary well developed ; scales ciliated ;
lateral line median.
Gill-membranes free from isthmus; small teeth at the base of the
maxillary so... ee eee ie 4 2 de Nannetiaops; Gthr.
Gill-membranes eae to ae ; ene facie ; dorsal fin
Will PO mtave-OL more. 4. Svs we , es wees. 68 Disiichodus, Mak T.
Gill-membranes attached to isthmus ; ns ee ane : ae fin with
ev Aorer nian: Woxtaveay 24 a, 7. ae ae Ok ea awe, SR Ok oa ee annacharan, Gthr.
IV. Crraarinin#.—Teeth minute, unicuspid ; maxillary small; scales not ciliated ; lateral line
median.
Gill-membranes free from isthmus; body very deep, very strongly
Soin rose an Ace: Suse ieee Ot te ie a ay ws Oe CRI OS, MOLY»
1. HYDROCYON.
Hydrocinus, part., Cuvier, Regne Anim. ii. p. 167 (1817).
Hydrocyon, Cuvier, Mém. Mus. Paris, v. 1819, p. 353; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxi.
p. 309 (1849) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 350 (1864) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 140
CSOT
Snout rather elongate; mouth large, with very strong, pointed, more or less
compressed, sharp-edged teeth, wide apart and forming a single series; premaxillary
bones slightly movable vertically ; maxillary toothless, moderately large, and slipping
under the preorbital. Cheek covered by the large suborbitals ; nostrils near the eye,
close together, separated by a valvular flap; gill-membranes free from the isthmus;
4 branchiostegal rays. Body elongate, compressed; bellyrounded. Scales moderately
large, not ciliated; lateral line nearer the ventral than the dorsal outline; a scaly
process at the base of the ventral fin. Dorsal fin with 10 or 11 rays, above the
ventrals ; anal with 13 to 18 rays; a small adipose dorsal fin.
Part of the eye, in front and behind, is covered by an adipose eyelid. ‘The tubules
of the lateral line are straight and short, and most of them emit a short spur, directed
downwards, or a few scales here and there having the spur directed upwards. The
fins are more or less falcate; the rays of the pectoral are lo or 16 in number, those of
the ventrals 10. |
The skull is strongly ossified ; the supraorbital bone is large; an elongate fontanelle
separates the parietals and the posterior part of the frontals in the young, but closes up
with age; a supraoccipital crest is present ; the brain-case does not extend far forwards,
an interorbital septum being present. ‘The praemaxillaries are much larger than the
maxillaries, to which they are ankylosed; there are 4 to 6 large teeth on the former
HYDROCYON. 99
bone followed by 1 to 3 small ones; each side of the lower jaw bears 3 to 5 large teeth
and 1 or 2 small ones; the replacement-teeth, fully developed but lying flat in a
sort of socket, form a complete series behind the functional one.
The vertebre, in H. forskali?, vary from 49 to 52,—32 to 34 precaudals and 17 or
18 caudals: I find 31 of the former and 18 of the latter in a specimen of
fH. brevis.
The air-bladder is large and its posterior chamber about three times as long as the
anterior; it does not extend into the caudal region ; the pneumatic duct opens on the
Fig. 16.
Hydrocyon forskalii : upper view of skull of half-grown specimen and inner view of lower jaw of udult.
left side. As in other strictly carnivorous forms, the digestive tract is shorter than
the fish; the pyloric appendages are large and numerous, the posterior forming a fringe
to the intestine for about one-sixth of its length.
Large, ferocious, carnivorous fishes inhabiting the rivers and lakes of Africa, from
the Nile and Senegal to the Congo and the Limpopo, and represented by five very
closely-allied species, three of which occur in the Nile, whilst the two others, H. goliath,
Blgr., and H. vittiger, Blgy., are only known from the Congo.
Synopsis of the Species.
Depth of body four to five and a half times in total length, length of head
four to five times ; caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to twice as
long as deep; dorsal fin originating in advance of ventral; scales
;, 2 between lateral line and scaly process at base of
a ee er fe err oe, | oa a ear Sg: gg Mt he een ee
02
100 CHARACINIDA.
Depth of body three and one-fourth to four and a half times in total
length, length of head three and a half to four ‘and one-fourth times ;
caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and two-thirds as long as
deep ; dorsal fin originating above or slightly in advance of ventral ;
scales 44-48 tea 2 between lateral line and scaly process at base of
Vora -e- a . %. HA. lineatus, Blkr.
Depth of body three and Seti : fei aie a half times in total laneth,
length of head three and one-third to four and one-fifth times ; caudal
peduncle once and two-fifths to once and two-thirds as long as deep ;
81-92
64 ?
3 between lateral line and scaly process at base of ventral. . . . . 3. HZ. brevis, Gthr.
dorsal fin originating above first ray of ventral; scales 47-54
1.- HYDROCYON FORSKALITI,
(Plate XVI. fig. 1 and Plate XVII. fig. 1.)
Salmo dentex (non Hasselquist), Forskal, Descr. Anim. pp. xiii & 66 (1775).
Characinus dentex, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 49, pl. iv. fig. 1 (1809).
Hydrocyon forskalii, Cuvier, Mém. Mus. v. 1819, p. 354, pl. xxviii. fig. 1; Miiller & Troschel, Hore
Ichthyol. i. p. 11, pl. iii. fig. 6 (1845) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 351 (1864), and Petherick’s
Trav. ii. p. 244 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxi. i. 1870, p. 547; Vinciguerra,
Ann. Mus. Genova, xxxvii. 1896, p. 29, and xxxix. 1898, p. 258.
Hydrocyon dentex, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829).
Hydrocyon forskalti, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxi. p. 809 (1849) ; Peters, Reise
Mossamb. iv. p. 69 (1868).
Depth of body four to five and a half times in the total length, length of head
four to five times. Head twice to twice and a half as long as broad; snout one-fourth
to one-third the length of the head; diameter of the eye four (young) to six anda
half times in the length of head, interorbital width three to four times; mouth
extending to below the nostrils, maxillary bone to below the anterior border or the
centre of the eye; 5 or 6 large teeth in the upper jaw and 4 or 0 in the lower;
suborbital and opercular bones smooth or feebly striated. Giull-rakers much shorter
than the gill-filaments, 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with II 8
rays, equally distant from the end of the snout, the nostrils, or the eye, and from the
root of the caudal fin; second simple ray longest, three-fourths to once and one-sixth the
length of the head. Adipose dorsal small, twice to twice and a half as distant from the
rayed dorsal as from the caudal. Anal fin with III 11-13 rays, third simple ray
longest, one-half to three-fourths the length of the head. Pectoral fin about two-
thirds the length of head. Ventral fin as long as or shorter than the pectoral, below
middle of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked, with long, pointed lobes. Caudal
HYDROCYON. 101
° 4- 1
peduncle once and two-thirds to twice as long as deep. Scales 48-94 ee 3 between
lateral line and ventral, 2 between lateral line and scaly process at base of ventral fin.
The back is grey, brown, or olive-green, the sides and the belly are silvery white ;
more or less distinct longitudinal rows of blackish spots, often confluent into streaks,
run along the series of scales above the lateral line, and, exceptionally, also along the
series bordering the lateral line below, such specimens, which in this character agree
with H. lineatus, being from Lake Albert, the White Nile, and the Senegal. These
spots or streaks are entirely absent in very young specimens. ‘The dorsal fin and the
upper lobe of the caudal are yellowish or grey, often blackish towards the end; the
adipose fin is grey or whitish, rarely with a black spot *; the ventral and anal fins,
and sometimes also the pectorals, are tinged with pink or pale orange; the lower lobe
of the caudal, which fin is often edged with black, is bright red. Iris silvery
or bronzy.
The proportions of the body vary considerably, as may be seen from the following
table of measurements. As to the variations in the numbers of anal rays and of scales
in the lateral line, out of one hundred specimens I have recorded seven with Il]
branched anal rays, eighty-two with 12, and eleven with 13 ; two with 48 scales in the
lateral line, six with 49, twenty-nine with 50, thirty with 51, eighteen with 92, ten
with 53, and five with 54.
The largest specimen measures 450 millimetres, but the fish is said to grow to a
much greater size f.
Hydrocyon forskalii is known from the Nile, the Blue Nile, the White Nile, the
Senegal, the Niger, Lake Rudolf, and Lake Gandjule (Margherita). In the Lower
Nile it occurs chiefly during flood time.
The following is a list of the specimens examined :-—
1 Egypt.—Riippell, 1833.
1 Lower Nile.— Petherick, 1861.
1 Lake Hdkou.—Loat, 29.10.99.
1 Damietta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 3.8.99.
1 Nile near Cairo, upstream side of Barrage.— Loat, 4.9.99.
1 Trench near Cairo.—Loat, 21.10.99.
2 Nile near Old Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish-bazar.—Loat, 4.4.99.
4 Nile near Cairo, bought in Boulak Fish-bazar.—Loat, 20.3.99.,
1 Canal in Zoological Gardens, Giza.—Loat, 21.38.99.
1 Wasta.—Loat, 28.8.99.
17 Beni Souef.—Loat, 8-9.99.
* This I have only observed in two specimens from the Niger.
7 A head from the Senegal indicates a probable total length of nearly a metre.
CHARACINIDA.
102
‘ywor]—UvNSSY puv JOXNT UdaaMjoy “BTL ‘ST ‘LT ‘ywoyT—uvnssy ‘TI ‘ywOoTT —OLOYopuoyH ‘G
yVOT—odIey “GL ‘AqStIyJ—"1OSIN “Vqqer °6 ‘LMoujogG—wunyeyy “OL ‘F
"qvorT— Fonog Tog 0S “OT “FT ‘omydegz—aentpuey "T *g ‘qjospng-—weqVy "I “¢
“qBoT—"yrjeg lpg "ey ‘ywoT—anYyURg + "}COT—'ON ‘'T JO yyNOTL °%
‘ZOYO —"[vsollog “SINOT “YQ *ZT “Z0N [9 — [esoueg ‘fonsiny *9 "yVOT—ULIG] ‘T
Zo |fo iy |fe lig jf¢ lio [fe lip Ip | [fo jf fo | ¢@ lig |fo fir fr jig joo7** our peseqey
MOTOq Ul] OSToAsMeIy cc
Sele Ne ee Wea eS OL Pe te ee tS We ones dele. EL ite 8 Sleds 2k eu eae
JAOG’ OUI] OSAOASUBIY ‘ Fe
Ge WG es ae Tare iy he Re Ce eel op OSM OS Ge Oa reser MS ROR DOG e nGrtal ay ote " OUll [B19}¥] UT So[Bos .
As 1 We BD 94 Ba UE ae a al Or Cc Ra Sar Sah AR 8 sXur poyouviq Jo req uin y
Oe salle adalah eek aie Ela erga) WE) eG BNE gir sey Ges ate bene op. ae A Rearend eles, aye "+++ Tetoped fo qysuer]
GMs eS: |aCl Petal Ok Gm: Bos! Seth WE: | SEM LeeatnOye tiie eer | ay ecteal MON IE ile See Ba Pee BE UE aot Si ‘:
BiG seb, 66 1S SG. Bo. OR. GE Sr Sr Pee eer eG yee 108+) Co OR cielo) Ge 2a ake i [esiop Jo Avr ysosuor]
Coles ac Cal © nde ey ama KA As ga PR en hel ee Noe soe se SH Sal > Je ce cco ier NR a A lati ie Ae ae gg oases oa |
eae le as Os il. eda) arha@hent ae) Okt. Onte) ep biGiele Eo Miah bien tel 1ST REE FSi aa es Mews hy, oe Tee ede Jo rojo |
ey heck bene 13 SS, at ale Dae) MOR aie Ga Th Eanes | eb OV ante, | al mateo st OG clei OG ilbae visiatee tt Mee "7" qnous Jo yysueT
Be a. ee a SO her) wed pee hE COG LOG. SG spel] Gags G, rd Mean Mla ay nerce |W eogl a2 (nme aka ae a a See pe peoy JO YIPIM
Gi ahh eae | Se Bee ORN ee OG | aa Ly ieee a eo SGT O Oi Ot ie mek A Sin A GOL ne ty Oa cit Mae Ms Soa yysueT
BY ed We ee, kG OR) Gat Ga ay OR ie OG Ele BOs tere MOO saan | Ae Zell: Siete OO) teehee ny ie an a ntrsessss< qidep yseqwarp)
zo | 89 | 06 | OOT| SIT] OST SFT] O9T) 006) GIS) Ess) OSE) NGG O8G ONE OE) OSE OPE) OFS) OSP) (jepnvo ynoyqs) yy Su9 [P30
ga A MRM mre Wen) eS 2 OO | am i A a a 8 4 aS) tial Nie 2 aes Gel
‘sajnas pun shos-uyf fo suaqune pup (SerpoWIT[LW U1) spuawasnsvayy
HYDROCYON. 103
Sanhur, near Beni Souef.—Loat, 5.9.99.
Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 6.10.99.
Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
83 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 12.10.00—-10.11.00.
18 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 9-12.99, 3.1.00.
Abu Hoor.—Loat, 18.1.00.
Mirrwan.—Loat, 21.1.00.
Korosko, Nubia. —Loat, 28.1.00.
Ibrim, Nubia.—Loat, 5.2.00.
Fergunt, Nubia.—Loat, 12.2.00.
14 miles 8. of Wady Halfa.—Loat, 25.2.00.
Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 8-23.3.00. °
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.x—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile—Loat, 5.10.01.
Jebelen, White Nile-—Loat, 11.1.01.
Mouth of Lake No, White Nile-—Loat, 28.1.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 13-19.1.02.
Fajao, Victoria Nile, below Murchison Falls.—Budgett, 25.4.02.
Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
L. Gandjule, 8. of L. Abaia.—O. Neumann, 1901.
15 IL. Gandjule.—Zaphiro, 8.9.05.
1 St. Louis, Senegal.— Delhez, 1899.
3 Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
1 Kurguel, near Metam, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
1
2
He be
OP ae Tee
me Re Re ODDO NR RK Ee DD HY
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. C. Christy, 1899.
1 Assay, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
The ‘* Kelp-el-Bahr,” or “ River-dog,” with its powerful jaws with shark-like teeth,
visible when the mouth is closed, is a voracious fish well known to the natives all along
the Nile. JI am not aware of any representations of it by the ancient Egyptians. Its
flesh is very flabby and full of bones, and it is among the worst-tasting fish of the
Nile.
The following list of native names has been supplied by Mr. Loat :—‘‘ Kelp-el-
bahr” (svi ae) at Cairo, Barrage N. of Cairo, Lake Edkou, Beni Souef, Rosetta,
and in the Fayum ; “ rd@'sh@la” (&\s,), “ roschal” as spelt by Forskal, is sometimes used
»
at Cairo, though the name “ kelp-el-bahr ” is more frequent; ‘‘ardat” («,\) is the
name generally given at Kafr-el-Zayat ; “ maghsell” (Qwr0), at Assiut, Sohag ;
“ kelp-el-moyar” (sw) —), is sometimes applied to this species at Assiut, Sohag,
Akhmim, Nag’Hamadeh, Assuan; “ moluher” (4>»\), this term is also applied to the
104 CHARACINIDA.
species at Akhmim, but at Girga the word “kelp” was placed in front, “kelp
moluher” ; “ keVbunv’bo” (sl WK), “kharneadar” (sd3,2), “nelko” (03), all in
use between ShellAl and Wady Halfa; “shanko” (,G\%) at Kosheh ; “shan” (M4) at
Arko; “ kass” (LS) at Korti, and by some men at Arko, also at Omdurman, Blue
Nile.
2, HYDROCYON LINEATUS.
(Plate XVII. fig. 2.)
? Hydrocynus vittatus, Castelnau, Mém. Poiss. Afr. Austr. p. 65 (1861).
Hydrocyon lineatus, Bleeker, Nat. Verh. Ver. Haarlem, xvii. 1862, no. 2, p. 125; Giinther, Cat.
Fish. v. p. 352 (1864) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 143 (1901).
Hydrocyon forskalit, part., Peters, Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 69 (1868).
Hydrocyon forskalti (non Cuv.), Steindachner, Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 62.
As already mentioned in 1901, when dealing with the fauna of the Congo Basin, it
is with considerable diffidence that I retain this form as a species distinct from
H. forskalii, with which it agrees in most characters. The differences on which
H. lineatus has been established reside in the shorter body, with fewer scales in the
lateral line, the series of dark spots or longitudinal dark streaks on the series of scales
below the lateral line, and the presence of a deep black spot on the adipose dorsal fin.
Although these characters, occurring in combination, appear to me to warrant, at least
provisionally, the recognition of the species lineatus, it is nevertheless true that each
of them taken separately varies in this form and in //. forskalii to such an extent as
to produce an overlap conducive of hesitation in the determination of certain specimens.
These intermediate specimens, referred to H. forskalii, are from the White Nile, the
Senegal, and the Niger, whilst the extreme specimens of the type species are from the
Nile proper, and all the specimens from south of the Equator hitherto examined fall
into the definition of H. lineatus, which might be regarded merely as a southern form
of Cuvier’s species.
In the specimens referred by me to H. lineatus, and of which a list is given below,
the depth of the body is contained three and one-fourth to four and a half times in
the total length, the length of the head three and a half to four and one-fourth
times; the branched rays in the anal fin number 10 to 13, the scales in the lateral line
44 to 48. The caudal peduncle is only once and one-third to once and two-thirds as
long as deep.
The coloration is very similar to that of Hf. forskalii, but the black longitudinal
streaks are more strongly marked and extend to the series of scales below the lateral
line, and a deep black spot is almost constantly present on the adipose dorsal fin, even
105
HYDROCYON.
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106 CHARACINID.
in very young specimens, which, as in the other species, are absolutely devoid of dark
imarkings on the body.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 420 millimetres, but the fish is
believed to grow to a still larger size.
[Hydrocyon lineatus, originally described from Ashantee, occurs in the White Nile
and in the Blue Nile; it is also found in the Niger, in the St. Paul’s River, Liberia,
the Congo and Ubanghi, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Mweru, the Zambesi system, and as
far south as the Limpopo River in the Transvaal. Castelnau’s Hydrocynus vittatus
from Lake Ngami is probably the same species *.
List of specimens examined :—
Ashmed Aga, White Nile.—Loat, 14.1.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Mouth of Lake No, White Nile.—Loat, 4—10.2.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 1-17.2.02.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 5.10.01.
West Africa.
Niger.
Nyankoma, Gold Coast.—R. B. N. Walker, 1901.
R. Offin, Gold Coast.—R. B. N. Walker, 1901.
R. Benue, north of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1906.
Fort Don Carlos I., Angola, at junction of Combo R. with Kwango R.—Dr. Ansorge, 1903.
Leopoldville, Congo.—Delhez, 1898.
Lake Obeke, Congo.—Delhez, 1898.
Bolobo, Congo.—Rev. G. Grenfell, 1900.
New Antwerp, Congo.—Capt. Wilverth, 1896.
Stanley Falls—Rev. W. H. Bentley, 1897.
Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1900.
Lake Tanganyika.—J. E. 8. Moore, 1897.
Lake Mweru.—Sir A. Sharpe, 1900.
Unguezi, Shiré River.—Dr. Livingstone.
rll aoe el er oo oe SO
RD eH Re Re Re OO Oe 0
* In which case the name Hydrocyon lineatus will have to be changed to H. vittatus, and that of H. vittatus,
bestowed by me on a Congo species, to H. vittiger, here proposed as a substitute. Cuastelnau’s description
is not sufficiently detailed to make quite sure of the identification, the type specimens are unfortunately
lost, and in the lack of specimens from Lake Ngami to compare with the description it is more prudent to
retain Bleeker’s name H. lineatus for the present.
HYDROCYON. 107
3. HYDROCYON BREVIS.
(Plate XVI. fig. 2.)
Hydrocyon forskalii, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 309 (1849); Peters, Reise
Mossamb. iv. p. 69 (1868).
Hydrocyon brevis, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 351 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. 1. p. 240, pl. il.
fig. A (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. 1. 1870, p. 547.
Depth of body three and one-third to four and a half times in the total length, length
of head three and one-third to four and one-fifth times. Head twice to twice and two-
thirds as long as broad; snout two-sevenths to one-third the length of the head; diameter
of the eye four (young) to seven and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital
width three to three and three-fourths times; suborbital and opercular bones more or
less distinctly striated ; mouth extending to below the nostrils or the anterior border of
the eye, maxillary bone to below the centre or the posterior border of the eye ; 4 ord large
teeth in the upper jaw and 3 or 4 in the lower. Gill-rakers short, 7 to 9 on lower part
of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with II 8 rays, equally distant from the eye and from the
root of the caudal, or a little nearer the latter; second simple ray or first branched ray
longest, two-thirds to nearly once the length of the head. Adipose dorsal fin small,
about twice as distant from the rayed dorsal as from the caudal. Anal fin with HI
11-13 (exceptionally 15) rays, longest two-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head.
Pectoral fin three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head. Ventral fin a little
shorter than the pectoral, below anterior half of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked, with
long, pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle once and two-fifths to once and two-thirds as long
as deep. Scales 47-04 et 4 between lateral line and ventral, 3 between lateral line
and scaly process at base of ventral.
Coloration very similar to that of /. forskalii; longitudinal dark streaks or series
of spots, which are more or less distinct in adult specimens, usually confined to the
region above the lateral line; a black spot sometimes present on the adipose
dorsal fin. 7
The largest specimen examined measures 480 millimetres.
I have counted the fin-rays and scales in a hundred specimens. Nine have 11
branched rays in the anal, seventy-one have 12, nineteen have 13, one has 15; one has
47 scales in the lateral line, four have 48, eight have 49, fifteen have 50, twenty-nine
have 51, twenty-seven have 52, twelve have 53, four have 054.
Hydrocyon brevis is known from the Nile (where it appears to be much less generally
distributed than H. forskalii), the Lake Chad Basin, the Senegal, and the Gambia.
‘The types on which the species was founded by Giinther are from Khartum. Great
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HYDROCYON. 109
numbers were collected at Luxor, and nowhere else, by Mr. Loat ; but all the specimens
were young, the largest measuring only 180 millimetres. The two species are not
distinguished under special names by the native fishermen.
List of specimens examined :—
bo
280
ot eH Re eH oo
Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862. (Types.)
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Shari-wasu River at Maidugari.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Matam, Senegal.—Delhez, 1900.
McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
This species is easily distinguished from H. forskalii by the shorter body covered
with proportionally smaller scales, the smaller eye, and the more posterior position of
the dorsal fin. H. goliath, Blgr., from the Congo, which reaches a length of six feet,
is very closely allied to H. brevis, differing chiefly in the usually greater number of
branched anal rays (13-15) and of scales (54-08 =) and in the larger eye.
110 CHARACINID.®.
2, ALESTES.
Myletes, part., Cuvier, Mém. Mus. iv. 1818, p. 444.
Alestes, part., Miiller & Troschel, Hor. Ichthyol. i. p. 12 (1846).
Alestes, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 179 (1849); Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 312
(1864); Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 148 (1901).
Brycinus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 157. :
Brachyalestes, part., Giinther, t. ¢. p. 314.
Snout short; mouth moderately large; preemaxillary bones not movable, with two
series of strong teeth few in number, the outer compressed and tri- or quinquecuspid,
the imner with molar-like, obliquely truncate or excavated crowns, each armed with
several pointed tubercles; mandibular teeth in two series, the outer composed of
several pluricuspid teeth, the inner of a pair of conical teeth; maxillary bone toothless,
moderately large. Cheek covered by the large suborbitals; nostrils near the eye,
close together, separated by a valvular flap; gill-membranes free from the isthmus ;
4 branchiostegal rays. Body more or less elongate and compressed; belly rounded.
Scales moderate or large, not: ciliated; lateral line nearer the ventral than the dorsal
outline ; a scaly process at the base of the ventral fin. Dorsal fin with 9 to I1 rays,
above or behind the vertical of the ventrals; anal fin with 13 to 30 rays; a small
adipose dorsal fin. |
The scales vary, not only in size, but in structure according to the species. In
A. dentex and A. baremose the exposed surface of the scales, in addition to the fine
concentric striation which can only be seen with the aid of a strong magnifier, is
dotted over with minute granular asperities, and a few straight or nearly straight
canals radiate from the centre; if reduced to one, as is the case on some of the scales,
the canal is central in position; the tubules of the lateral line are short, occupying
not more than half the length of the exposed part of the scale, and emit a short branch,
usually directed downwards, as in Hydrocyon. In A. macrolepidotus the exposed
surface of the scales is rugose, with interrupted, more or less wavy, longitudinal striae,
and the canals are numerous, irregular, and, running in different directions, form a
network; the anterior tubules of the lateral line are much branched, tree-like, whilst
the rest are straight and simple, without the downward spur seen in 4. dentex. ‘The
scales of A. nurse are, in a great measure, intermediate between the two preceding
types. ‘The striz are more distinct than in A. dentex and their direction is inter-
mediate between the concentric and the longitudinal; the canals are few and form
arborescent ramifications on the posterior part of the scale; the tubules of the lateral
ALESTES, jabs
line are short and usually simple, though sometimes provided with a short downward
branch. |
The pectoral and ventral fins are always acutely pointed; the rays in the former
number fifteen, in the latter ten.
Detached scales of: A. Alestes dentew; B. A. nurse; C. A. macrolepidotus.
Although the teeth in the upper jaw are really in two series, there may appear to be
three, as observed in A. nurse by Dr. Giinther, who remarks :—“ In old examples thie
second tooth of the front series of each side is generally placed a little backwards,
as if there was not room enough for it between the first and third teeth; and there
Upper views of skulls and inner views of jaws of: A. Alestes dentex, and B. .A. macrolepidotus.
always remains a free space indicating the original place which it had occupied at an
earlier age.”
As regards the skull, the species inhabiting the Nile fall into two groups :—One
112 | CHARACINID.
(A. dentex and A. baremose) with the anterior supraorbital bone very narrow and with
a large fontanelle separating the parietals and the frontals posteriorly; the other
(A. nurse and A. macrolepidotus) with both supraorbital bones large and no fontanelle.
The vertebral column contains 37 to 51 vertebra, the numbers of precaudals and
caudals being as follows in the Nile species :—
Per dentet ov an. 268 we we) Dor 20 or BiH 10-414,
Ae OONCMOSO wee. A e959 16-28 £23 oF 4 9-51.
PSE Fea gs Bs ee ee | een Oy
A. macroltemdotus =. s- sin. 264-1642.
In A. dentex and A. baremose the posterior chamber of the air-bladder is about
four times as long as the anterior and extends backwards into the caudal region,
almost to the root of the caudal fin, on the right side of the interhemals of the anal
fin, or sometimes on the left. In A. nurse and A. macrolepidotus the posterior
chamber is to the anterior as 3:2 or 2:1, and it does not extend beyond the body-
cavity. The pyloric appendages of the stomach are large, 10 to 14 in number.
The intestine is usually a little shorter than the whole fish in the species which
feed principally on animal prey (small fish, crustaceans, insects, Se, buts in
A. macrolepidotus, which is mainly a vegetarian, it is considerably longer, about as 7: 5.
The genus Alestes is represented by twenty-eight species in the fresh waters of
Africa, from the Nile to the Zambesi and Natal and from the Senegal to the Congo.
Five species are known to occur in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Scales 44-51 in the lateral line, ae 2 in a transverse series ; dorsal fin behind vertical of
ventrals. :
Dorsal originating just behind vertical of last ray of ventral ; anal
IIT 19-23 ; 20-26 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch . 1. A. dentex, L.
Dorsai equidistant from vertical of last ray of ventral and first ray
of anal, or a little nearer the latter; anal III 22-27 ; 30-38
gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. . . . . . . . 2. A. baremose, Joannis.
II. Scales 22 to 33 in the lateral line, pen in a transverse series.
Dorsal originating just behind vertical of ventrals, equally distant
from occiput and from caudal fin ; anal III 16-17; scales
oe Pe eee Ae es 8. Accamilem, Sig.
Dorsal originating above root of ventrals, nearer occiput than caudal
fin jamal 111 11-155 seales 26-33 °F onc nn < - 4, A. nurse, Riipp.
2
Dorsal above middle of space between ventrals and anal, nearer
caudal fin than occiput ; anal III 12-14 ; scales 22-26 rn . 5. A. macrolepidotus, C. & V.
ALESTES. J13-;
1. ALESTES DENTEX.
(Plate XVIII. fig. 1.)
Salmo dentex, Linneeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Paleest. p. 395 (1757).
Salmo dentex, part., Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. 1. p. 531 (1766).
Characinus niloticus, Geoffroy, Deser. Egypte, Poiss. p. 50, pl. iv. fig. 2 (1809).
Myletes hasselquistti, Cuvier, Mém. Mus. iv. 1818, p. 449, pl. xxi. fig. 2.
Alestes dentex, Miller & Troschel, Hor. Ichth. i. p. 13, pl. ii. fig. 6 (1845) ; Heckel, Russegger’s
Reise Egypt. iii. p. 307, pl. xxi. fig. 2 (1849); Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 312 (1864), and
Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 242 (1869); Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 488.
Alestes hasselquistii, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 180 (1849).
Alestes sethente, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t.c. p. 190; Gtnther, t.c. p. 313 ; Steindachner, Sitzb.
Ak. Wien, lxi. i. 1870, p. 541.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and three-fifths to four and two-thirds
times in the total length; length of head four and a half to six times. Head once
and two-thirds to twice and one-third as long as broad, once and one-fourth to once
aud a half as long as deep; snout rounded, not projecting beyond the lower lip,
as long as or slightly longer than the eye; eye lateral, visible from above and from
below, its diameter three and a half (young) to four and one-fourth times in the length
of the head ; adipose eyelid well developed, but thin and transparent, covering part of
the eye in front and behind ; interorbital region very convex, its width twice anda half
to three times in the length of the head; width of the mouth equal to the diameter of
the eye; maxillary not reaching to below the anterior border of the eye; 14 teeth (3) in
the upper jaw, 10 (5) in the lower; lower border of the second suborbital longer than
the diameter of the eye in the adult. Gill-rakers rather long and slender, 20 to 26 on
the lower part of the anterior arch. Dorsal fin with II 8 rays, beginning just behind
the vertical of the base of the ventrals, equally distant from the eye and from the root
of the caudal fin, or slightly nearer the latter HYSt branched ray longest, as long as or
a little longer or a little shorter than the head. Adipose fin small, twice and a halt to
three times as far from the rayed dorsal as from the root of the caudal. Anal fin with
Il] 19-23 rays (usually 20-22), anterior longest, one-half to two-thirds the length of
the head; the rays in the anterior half of the fin larger in males than in females, the
fin having a more convex border. Pectoral fin as long as or a little shorter than the
head, widely separated from the ventral; latter shorter. Caudal fin deeply forked,
the lobes poited. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and three-fourths
as long as deep. Scales with fine granulations and feeble radiating canals, 44
Q
CHARACINID.
114
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EO NS RSG V RAG laec ee se Su hae a RSA CHE SEC eto ood lany tc .
Te 17S. ee tS, | eee Fe ee ge. Fe oun qereyey Mopeq | _ i ‘
76 |%6 #8 (6 |#8 |%8 |#8 #6 | #8 |* ‘out [e10zR] cage soltos eszoAsuBTy UL “ *
Lo SROG a) BF OG Ord Sepa Ge ip eon at Dy ore or me fries" a en retenany ran ape, het”
G61. OK: CE OS Beha whe | Beck Pet he ites | Cee Te ener Der ormiate 10. AC ese |
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He een Gat ae | igeiel tend eure eel eapee rca anh Meaney ae a i
Bee Gee Onl Grid ae cement ee ogy Aer Gy [ley salen naam Aa Paar tees a
BE Sk SE SL ere mir) Oman Tee CBee in ote cat tastes tank te mance ce (hh ae eee TN
A Rg BA ISI a BNO Cn ath neo eRe ie Sc tse is fa a8 bie
BANE aN ae ee ON EN reat a iby atin sw laioal di baie Wa ate malate aber
et | og | tz] eg | es | oc | ae | ag | ge frcecttttttt retest es pear Jo 1IPEML
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ALESTES. 115
to 51 (usually 45 to 50) &*?, 2 or 24 between the lateral line and the root of the
Q1 93
33
ventral fin.
Apart from the shape of the mouth and the dentition, this fish bears a considerable
general resemblance to Hydrocyon forskalii, and it likewise usually has the lower lobe
of the caudal fin of a bright red. ‘The body is silvery, the back dark grey or dark
sage-green ; a more or less distinct darker band may be present along each side of the
back. In some specimens, Mr. Loat observes, the red on the ventral fins is very faint,
and there is only a little on the anal ; the young have red on the caudal fin only; the
latter fin is often edged with blackish; the iris is silvery or golden, the amount of
yellow varying a good deal according to individuals.
The largest specimen measures 400 millimetres.
Having counted the branched rays in the anal fin and the scales in the lateral
line in fifty specimens, I find one with 19 rays, seventeen with 20, seventeen
with 21, twelve with *2, and three with 23; two with 44 scales, eight with 45,
six with 46, six with 47, seven with 48, eight with 49, twelve with 50, and one
with ol.
The above description is taken from Nile specimens. The specimens from West
Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Niger) often have a shorter body and have been distinguished
as a separate species under the name of A. sethente, C. & V. But this character
is by no means constant, and, as may be seen from the above table of measurements,
some of these western specimens cannot be distinguished from the typical A. dentez,
so far as the proportions are concerned, whilst specimens occur at Omdurman which
would fall under the definition of A. sethente; having failed to discover any other
points by which they could be separated, I must regard A. sethente as a mere form of
A. dentex. ‘The depth of the body is contained three and one-fourth to four and one-
fifth times in the total length, the length of the head four and one-eighth to five and
one-third times. Anal III 17-21. Scales 45-49 - For measurements, &c., see p. 116.
Alestes dentex inhabits the whole Nile, from its mouth to the Lake Albert. It is
also on record from Lake Rudolf *. Mr. Loat found it common in the Fish Bazars at
Cairo, and also states that it 1s ‘‘ Fairly numerous in Lakes Menzaleh and Borollos
during the high Nile, in Lake Edkou during the high Nile only, and then only a few.
At Rosetta most are taken about Christmas-time, when the Nile is going down. It is
fairly numerous in the Birket Karun, in the Fayum. In trenches and pools it is often
very plentiful, but of a small size. Plentiful in the Babr Yusuf, in the Fayum, when
the Nile is going down.” It has not been recorded from the Blue Nile. It is common
in the Senegal and the Gambia, and occurs also in the Niger and in the Lake Chad
Basin.
* Pellegrin, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1905, p. 291.
116 CHARACINIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales in A. sethente.
Total length
Greatest depth
1 GLSESG 810) 5 C13 ee ae eee ern a ae ee Leet Tee 70 | 54 | 50 | 48
SVC AOENORGSSS senaucee a ane. Re tec er coho coats 37 | 29 | 26 | 24
Pe ONL ON ames sare ewe OG ene ee eS 20 | 16 | 14 | 14
Diameter 6b eve. a is va At Ge ee ree x wig ake rias A Eee er ee
TPC Oe Wal Soto Ue gta cg stin td enc peee. 4 tgseee fs bad. = 9 RE. bale 28a ee by
on rest Tay sai Gonsal aed cr dais oe ok Psa aatdeon 68 | 56 | 57 | 44
Fe sg Fa ee ee erat cette oats MU usd mare eer eS 30 a0 20: 25
Jenghin-ol pectoral. a, 6551-5 - ad Ss Oe 64 | 48 | 48 | 40
Nimberso. branched rays:in anal <2 a0 .cio wes eee 120" 192-19
3 scales in lateral line ......... tee eee ies 45 | 47 | 49 | 48
= 5, in transverse line above lateral line ...... 841 82) 824) 8
= 3 i 5, below lateral line ...... 34, 34) 32) 38
= », between lateral line and ventral ........ ey ee ee
1, 2,8. Gambia.—Budgett. 5, 6. Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez.
7. St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez.
3. Lake Chad.—Gosling.
4, Jebba, Upp. Niger.—Christy.
List of specimens examined :—
115 |105 |100
29
25
11
12 Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara, Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 11.6.99.
1 Barrage near Cairo, upstream side.—Loat, 4.9.99.
1 Trench near Cairo.—Loat, 21.10.99.
4 Canal by side of road leading from Cairo to Pyramids of Giza.—Loat, 7.3.99.
3 Canal in Zoological Gardens, Giza.—Loat, 14.3.99.
1 Birket Karun, Fayum.—Loat, 1.10.99.
3 Bahr Tamiyeb, Fayum.—Loat, 6.10.99.
5 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 12.10.00-10.11.00.
1 Belanya, Nubia.—Loat, 14.2.00.
3 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
11 Omdurman.—Loat, 21.5.01.
25
22
10
25
24
10
ALESTES. Ay
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Mouth of L. No.—Loat, 31.1.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 17.1.02-4.2.02.
Fajao, Victoria Nile-—Budgett, 25.8.02.
Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.— Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.—Budgett, 1899.
Gambia.— Lord Derby.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. C. Christy, 1899.
Lokoja, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
R. Benue, north of Ibi.—Norton Smith, 1906.
He wpore WwW OR HH KH ON OO
“ Rhy” ( s\,) is the name given to this fish, as well as to A. baremose, at Cairo
and in the Fayum. According to Riippell it is also called “ Rachis” at Cairo. Bears
3
the name “ ko’wa’'ra” (s,\5) at Omdurman.
2, ALESTES BAREMOSE.
(Plate XVIII. fig. 2.)
Salmo niloticus (non Hasselquist), Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 514 (1766).
Salmo dentex, part., Linneus, t. c. p. 531.
Myletes baremose, Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. vi.
Myletes hasselquistit (non Cuvier), Guérin, Icon. R. An., Poiss. pl. Ivi. fig. 1 (1844).
Alestes kotschyi, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 308, pl. xxi. fig. 3 (1849) ; Gunther, Cat.
Fish. v. p. 313 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 242 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak.
Wien, lxi. i. 1870, p.543 ; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xix. 1898, p. 257.
Alestes wytsi, Steindachner, |. c. p. 542, pl. 11. fig. 1.
Alestes baremose, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 488.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and three-fourths to five times in the
total length (three and three-fifths times in a specimen from the Gambia); length
of head four to five and two-thirds times. Head twice to twice anda half as long
as broad, once and one-third to once and two-fifths as long as deep; snout rounded,
not projecting beyond the lower lip, as long as the eye (shorter in the young); eye
lateral, visible from above and from below, its diameter three (young) to four times
in the length of the head; adipose eyelid well developed, but thin and transparent,
covering part of the eye in front and behind; interorbital region very convex, its
width two and five-sixths to three and a half times in the length of the head; width
of mouth equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye; maxillary not reaching
to below the anterior border of the eye; 14 teeth (3) in the upper jaw, 10 (5) in the
118 CHARACINID.E.
lower; lower border of the second suborbital longer than the eye in the adult.
Gill-rakers rather long and slender, closely set, 30 to 38 on the lower part of the
anterior arch. Dorsal fin with II 8 rays, equidistant from the vertical of the last ray
of the ventral and the first of the anal, ora little nearer the latter, equally distant
from the eye or the occiput and from the root of the caudal fin; first branched ray
longest, as long as or a little longer or a little shorter than the head. Adipose fin
small, twice and a half to three times as far from the rayed dorsal as from the root
of the caudal. Anal fin with III 22-27 rays (usually 2427), its base at least as long
as the head and usually longer in the adult; anterior rays longest, one-half to two-
thirds the length of the head; the rays in the anterior half of the fin longer in males
than in females, the fin having a more convex border. Pectoral fin as long as ora
little shorter than the head, widely separated from the ventral; latter shorter.
Caudal fin deeply forked, the lobes pointed. Caudal peduncle once and a half to
twice as long as deep. Scales with fine granulations and feeble radiating canals, 45
to 50 ee 1§ or 2 between the lateral line and the root of the caudal fin.
The coloration is the same as in A. dentex.
The largest specimen measures 310 millim.
As in A. dentex, the elongation of the body varies considerably according to the
specimens. Out of fifty specimens in which the fin-rays and scales have been counted,
three have 22 branched rays in the anal, one has 23, six have 24, fifteen have 25,
twelve have 26, and thirteen have 27; two have 45 scales in the lateral line, six have
46, ten have 47, twelve have 48, ten have 49, and ten have 50.
A, baremose is very closely allied to A. dentex, and the two species may easily be
confounded at first sight. But the former differs from the latter constantly in the
dorsal fin being inserted further back from the vertical of the ventrals, and in the
more numerous gill-rakers ; the anal fin is usually longer and the interorbital region
usually narrower in the former.
Alestes baremose inhabits the Nile proper, the Blue and the White Nile, Lake Chad,
the Senegal, the Gambia, and the Niger. Specimens were obtained in Lake Rudolf by
Capt. V. Bottego, and have been referred with doubt to this species by Dr. Vinciguerra,
whose notes, however, seem to indicate that his identification is perfectly correct.
List of specimens examined :—
Nile.—ASir J. Barton:
3
1 Nile—Rev. O. Pickard Cambridge, 1864.
4 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
2 Freshwater pool at Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 11.6.99.
1 Samannud.—Loat, 23.7.99.
32. Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage—Loat, 28.7.99-3.8.99.
2 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 24.6.00.
15 Beni Souef.—Loat, 13-30.8.99.
119
ALESTES.
‘qvorT—"IOXN] °CT
‘ywolT—"urnssy puv Joxny usemqoq ‘OT ‘FT
-qvoy—urulinpudg ‘ZT
"}eOT—"jonog ue
‘aIpUgy—TesIN “eqqor
‘\yospng—eiquiey
‘yoLloyyog— unqaeyy
4 294 |o(— [Bsoucg “Ipeey “Gg
"OL "‘jwoyT—uunssy ‘8 ‘F
"6 "ywory—oloyopuoy “eT ‘1 ‘SZ
9 ‘qeorq—"oN "J Jo yoy “ES ‘T
st oO
I~
GG
I&
G6 ete ea} a0 (Oo
ae
at
8G
@:\ 8 @ SiC ers
ee ese # @
"* [B1JU9A PUB SUT] [wI04v, UseMyoq “
66 66
eUl[ [V10}VT MOTEq
OUI] [B104R] OAOQV OUT OSTOASUBIy UT“
SP renee bees sscsees 0 GUT reroauT OL SO[ROS 6
eens Rea te rrr sss BUR UT SABI POYOUBIG JO LequIN\T
grees Rm SNA tO GR AR teesereres qeaoqoad Jo yySuory
Br MANeae cats SARE LE Tg teeeeeeees eau ‘6
sd Ma ne ane Feeeeeeeseeseess Iuszop Jo sea ysoSuory
Sete es they ahs fatie Melby e:fe.\ei'e wuehie \eTpiteh ou tey slomite.' 6. ® aA0 JO LeJouVICT
oe siiieisels oth eeliad le ehiwLioy sn oiMalee Rae eat ess eOTe TG WED
saci ies do ue a eeHn es SRR 8 >) e ea, A TEC LE
Sra lte mays) ta) eco) we el heal Br Sols TeU AS dire: e'oaiee ke Pel ot tbn ie! Yee yydop 4soyvory
‘saynos pun skna-uyf fo ssaquinu pun (sorzouT[[LUL Ul) szuawainsvayy
YIPLA [eyG1010qU]
qnous }0 YycueT
"' + Yqsusy [B40],
66
66
ce
120 CHARACINIDA.
2 Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
00 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10.00-12.11.00.
37 Nile between Luxor and Assuan. —Loat, 9-10.00.
7 Nile at Derau.—Loat, 5.10.00. 3
23 Assuan.—Loat, 30.12.99, 10.9.00-30.9.00.
Derr, Nubia.—Loat, 3.2.00.
Nile at Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23.2.00.
13 miles 8. of Wady Halfa.—Loat, 25.2.00.
Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 8.3.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Between Khartum and Sobat R.—Zaphiro, 1-2.04.
Omdurman.—Loat, 21.5.00.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 5.10.01.
Mouth of L. No.—Loat, 28-30.1.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 13.1.02—18.3.02.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.—Sir A. Moloney, 1884.
Gambia.—Budgett, 1899.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. I’. Abadie, 1899.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. C. Christy, 1899.
| NE ce el OO or)
The type specimens of A. baremose were obtained by de Joannis at ‘Thebes, where
the Arabs call the fish ‘‘Baremoze”; those of A. kotschyi were from Assuan. Mr. Loat
found the fish all along the Nile, from its mouth to Gondokoro, young specimens
occurring in shoals near the river’s banks, as do our Bleak.
The following list of native names with which he has supplied me applies also, in
some cases, to the preceding species, with which the fishermen confound A. baremose :—
ny (a ) at Cairo, Barrage N. of Cairo, Samannud, Lake Kdkou, Kafr-el-
Zayat, Beni Souef, Fayum, Rosetta, Akhmim; ‘“rashala” (#\s,) at Assiut,
Sohag; ‘harfoota”’ (a5,3,>); name given to medium-sized specimens of this
species at Assiut by some fishermen (the word “vrashala” is the common word
used at Assiut for all sizes of this species, though sometimes the small ones are called
““rhy,” and the big ones “rashala”); “moluher” (4>\e) 1s a name I heard applied
to this species at Akhmim, and also to “ kelp-el-moyar,’ but at Girga the words
“rashala moluher” were used; “ bibiz” (ss), I heard this term applied to small
specimens of this species at Girga; ‘‘sardeena” (40) is used near Damietta in
referring to this species (at Akhmim, Girga, Nag "Hamadeh, the word “ moluher” refers
to a salted preparation of this fish and also to “ help-el-bahr”) ; “ cut’ti” (_3S), between
Assuan and Korosko; “ kel’lud” (o,’), between Korosko and Halta (the “w” in this
word is pronounced like the “ 00” in the word flocd).
ALESTES. 12]
3. ALESTES SADLERI.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 435.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and one-third to three and a half times in’
the total length, length of head four times. Head twice as long as broad, slightly
longer than deep ; snout rounded, not projecting beyond the lower lip, a little shorter
than the eye; eye lateral, visible from above and from below, its diameter three times
in the length of the head; adipose eyelid very short ; interorbital region convex, its
width twice and a half in the length of the head; width of mouth equal to the
diameter of the eye; 16 teeth (3) in the upper jaw, 10 (5) in the lower; lower border
of the second suborbital as long as the eye. Gull-rakers long and slender, 18 on lower
part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with II 8 rays, just behind the vertical of the
Fig. 19.
Alestes sadleit.
ventrals, equally distant from the occiput and from the root of the caudal fin; first
branched ray longest, as long as the head. Adipose fin small, about twice and a half
as far from the rayed dorsal as from the root of the caudal. Anal fin with III 16-17
rays, its base about two-thirds the length of the head; anterior rays longest, one-half
length of head. Pectoral fin as long as the head, not reaching the ventral; latter
shorter. Caudal fin deeply forked, the lobes obtusely pointed. Caudal peduncle
barely once and a half as long as deep. Scales with radiating and arborescent or
anastomosing canals, 33 oe. 2. between the lateral line and the root of the ventral fin.
5 34
Steel-blue above, silvery white below; fins orange-red; a black (in life brilliant
orange) blotch on the caudal peduncle, extending on the middle rays of the caudal fin.
R
425, CHARACINIDA.
This Alestes is known from two specimens from Lake Victoria, obtained by Mr. E.
Degen at Entebbe, on Aug. 24th, 1905. It has been named after Col. Hayes Sadler,
H.M. Commissioner, Uganda Protectorate, at the time of Mr. Degen’s visit.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Peo cols Ot te! a yale Gee sus aor oaks awe ee ee oe a
GS pe Wil ont eatin ti) (Se eer 5 ee ES RG
Rete oh OOO) thie dap aa Ae RES. ee te ee DG
pOOU TOL AORN asa. 2553 eek ar Spee fea f as GL pe i= eb
SNE GL AGMEa)S AUTU SIG gertee wets pein es SUPE eee) eer ae EN Bt ugar omens eee |!)
Length of snout. 6
Pig tit ONG V ONE oe acai SRP ag ast ye a gt, 7
Interorbital width . ; 8
Liman OL (auntie. tin cent i age yee, So? ee Poke BO
7 Se Tee Ue «page es see ee yO he nee soe ee a)
Danette pected apical ie tat oh Pc fy 2 20)
A. sadleri is easily distinguished from A. nurse, to which, at a first glance, it bears a
very striking resemblance, by the more posterior position of the dorsal fin, by the
greater number of rays in the anal fin, and by one series more of scales between the
origin of the dorsal fin and the lateral line.
4, ALESTES NURSE.
(Plate XIX. figs. 1 & 2.)
Myletes nurse, Riippell, Fortsetz. Beschr. Fische Nil, p. 12, pl. ii. fig. 3 (1832).
Myletes guile, Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. ix.
Alestes nurse, Miiller & Troschel, Hor. Ichthyol. i. p. 13 (1845); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist.
Poiss. xxil. p. 188 (1849); Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 343 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb.
Ak. Wien, lxi. 1. 1870, p. 544; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 488;
Loénnberg, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 19038, p. 37.
Chaleeus guile, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 255.
Brachyalestes nurse, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 314 (1864).
Brachyalestes ruppellu, Giinther, t. c. p. 315 ; Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 43 (1896).
Alestes leuciscus, Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xx. 1867, p. 114.
Alestes ruppellu, Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 343 ; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, xxxix.
1898, p. 257.
Body strongly compressed, its depth twice and a half to three and three-fourths times
in the total length; length of head three and a half (young) to four and three fifths
times. Head once and two-thirds to twice as long as broad, as long as deep or a little
ALESTES. 123
longer than deep; snout rounded, not or but slightly projecting beyond the lower lip,
not longer than the eye; eye lateral, visible from above and from below, its diameter
twice and a half (young) to four times in the length of the head; interorbital region
moderately convex, its width twice and one-fourth to twice and three-fifths in the length
of the head: width of mouth equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye ;
maxillary not reaching to below the anterior border of the eye; 14 or 16 teeth (=) in
the upper jaw, 10 ( _ in the lower; lower border of the second suborbital longer than
the eye in the adult. Gill-rakers moderately long, 16 to 20 on the lower part of the
anterior arch. Dorsal with II 8 rays (7 in one specimen, from Luxor), beginning
above the base of the ventrals, equally distant from the centre or the posterior border
of the eye and from the root of the caudal fin ; first branched ray longest, as long as or
a little shorter than the head. Adipose fin small, twice and one-third to twice and
two-thirds as far from the rayed dorsal as from the root of the caudal. Anal fin with
III 11-15 rays, anterior rays Jongest in the females, median rays longest in the males,
the border of the fin being more or less convex or angular in the latter. Pectoral fin
a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral; latter shorter. Caudal fin
deeply forked, the lobes pointed. Caudal peduncle once to once and a half as long as
deep. Scales with radiating and with more or less distinct arborescent or anastomosing
canals, 26-33 Hf 2, between the lateral line and the root of the ventral fin.
Silvery or pale golden, dark grey or brown on the back, which may be shot with
reddish bronze; sides often tinged with pinkish or pale lilac; sometimes a blackish
spot above the lateral line, behind the gill-opening, and another on the caudal
peduncle, sometimes extending as a streak along the median rays of the caudal fin;
dorsal fin greyish, usually with a little pink or red; ventrals and anal white at the
base, usuaily with a band of red; adipose fin sometimes tipped with orange or red ;
caudal fin orange or red, the base and the edge blackish; iris silvery or golden.
According to Mr. Degen, the black spot at the base of the caudal fin, in Lake
Victoria specimens, is of a brilliant orange in lite.
The largest specimen from the Nile (Rosaires) measures 195 millimetres. <A
specimen from the Senegal measures 230.
Out of fifty specimens from various parts of Africa (excepting L. Victoria) in which
I have counted the fin-rays and scales, one (from the Senegal) has 11 branched rays
in the anal fin, nine have 12, nineteen have 13, twenty-one have 14; one specimen
(from the Gold Coast) has 26 scales in the lateral line, three have 27, four have
98, six have 29, eleven have 30, seventeen have 31, seven have 32, and one (from
Luxor) has 33. Specimens from Lake Victoria have 14 or 15 branched anal rays,
and 26 to 30 scales in the lateral line.
‘he variations in form are very considerable, irrespective of age and localities.
The spots on the body are also very inconstant, as already pointed out by de Joannis,
R2
CHARACINIDA.
124
|
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(‘snasionay ‘yoyo eddy) ‘aosINN “LT Capyaddns yy jo eddy) ‘yotoyjog@—wnyeyy ‘OT ‘yyospng—riquey ‘gy ‘F
"Zoo —"[Bsouog “SOT 4g “CT ‘qvoy—'eiqnyy ‘Iqeuy °6 ‘qjo5S30qQ—vOIA ‘TT “e
‘jwoT—utnssy ‘PL *yvoT—‘oroyopuoky “TT ‘Q "WvoT— IN onjg ‘soitvesoy +) 6g
UOT 10M ST “OL neh "‘ollayyeg—unyryy 9 ‘zaqToq— [Rseueg ‘WRVT “TL
COE PE MG NG NG Le WS ah Or | GM VA IS eh el eel ge A I ee et Eee Arce Alita. rf
BC Se EG. te ue de ie re enlee™ lee re” ee kee: Seed (Sta ee Is Ee Ge saa ee ee
[¥lo]¥V] MOTEG Sol1esS OSTOASUBIy UT “ "t
po eras Re Sine PBS We Fe Age 6G Se@siige RG Mee ai Fe Miley ec Wel Mine hein ee Ment ena
[BIOL] OAOGB SOLIOS OS1OASULIY UL “* eS
OCA Be Gs tNG | OG Ce he bares) PT TS ARSE: Tes Mads Ole cc) Oia kee ates ieee lees Pant "ttt" OUT] [B19}"] UT soTvos F
SP Fe Cd ul. | elec i ar ait eb Gee | OT SRC Be eee Gh ae ey nl Me, ea pers rs Teue ur sdvr poyouaq Jo zoqurn Ny
Oba OL BE Lb Ve OF.|\ SS ee) GS | WG oh TS Be dah. Ger ae Gest ee. | dia peter ain. ae TR iy TeLot ede t0: WA 6 cary:
Ag A a a Ms aR ees Sg Eh Re NS SORE Vg ee a a aca 2 ae rl iach weet meri year DERN saat" a
LLG CE ee BT te Pe OBR Be ea GR: Nae Eee) Me in CRS | pe ae aie. | Mae ig. dewey eon yg hee sts qesiop jo Avr qsasuory
a ee) See Sr OL Te PEW ea epee aa, Wer pial Gap: Mia seem anne ae ar mints. eat em YAPIM [eyIGto1quy
rr Se ed ab Pe ele IG SE ame Oe Ga Ne hb viet Seber Meee fer ar Sa tee oe srerssssss gf9 Jo rojourerq
cei ela os et See oe a ae ee golem maha aC COU IE ke BURN? UG OM 4 Rh nar a at a a "crt +s qnous Jo [SUT]
Ge Ole tee OL eh EL | ne ie Meet APT ay enE Ve alealegn > Baie S|, esl Re aliveratalncrG) We nyc page al Tytor e* speey Jo TIPE.
Sony SL BGs Oct GEL) Le i ee) US te, OB i OS PR ioe OE. | Rep algal ee yt ay phew Tyke mame Pi ee SCE, TO: Ui oeren 9
Pi Oe el Sen, BG 0G | 2S Ae Or ir Gr ay SR, oa OG. PO Cae OS: | OG: Bn te he shes Sale at hinting 7" TAdep qsoqyeouy
GF | GE | 4G | 08 | 06 | COT! OTT) OLT| OST] EST] SFT] OST, SET] 091) OOT) O41] O81] OTS (jepnes nog) yysuey [eyo],
2) fo eet 2 BAG RAE? BI RRS) Ns Ds a Hi sh ed a cs a a a ‘8 de iS G 'P § G a
‘sappos pun shos-uyf fo svaqunu pup (sorjourr{[tur Ut) spuaruacnspayy
ALESTES. 195
and I have not succeeded in finding a specimen with three spots as in the MW. guile
figured by that pioneer in Egyptian ichthyology; this W/. guile is also described as
differing from A. nurse in having the caudal and the anal yellow instead of red or
orange.
This species has a very extensive range, being recorded from the Nile, Lake
Victoria, Lake Rudolf, the Lake Chad Basin, and West Africa from the Senegal to
Cameroon. I have examined specimens from the following localities :—
2
2
13
i
Sore Oo NM SN eH FH bd bd OO bo OO UOlUEe
tl ll el
Upper Nile.—Petherick, 1862.
Girgeh.—Loat, 14.12.99.
At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-31 12.00.
Nile between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Nile at Assuan.—Loat, 31.12.99-9.1.00, 4-30.9.00.
Between Assuan and Shellal, a short distance above the cataract.—Loat, 29.12.99.
Derr, Nubia.—Loat, 31.1.00-2.2.00.
Anebi, Nubia.—Loat, 6.2.00.
Wady Halfa.—Loat, 22-24.2.00.
Omdurman.—Loat, 21.5.01.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862. (Types of A. ruppelliz.)
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 6.10.01.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Loat, 29.10.01.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Between Khartum and Sobat R.—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Jebelain, White Nile.—Loat, 10.1.01.
Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile.—Loat, 5.4.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 1-2.04.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 31.1.01, 8.2.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 21.1-3.3.02.
Lake Victoria.— Doggett, 1903.
Hntebbe, L. Victoria.—Degen, 5-6.05.
Bunjako, L. Victoria.—Degen, 5-14.11.05.
Yo R., Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal. Delhez, 1899.
Matam, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.—Budgett, 1899.
Nyankoma, Gold Coast.—R. B. N. Walker, 1901.
Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. C. Christy, 1899.
Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Niger. (Type of A. leuciscus.)
R. Benue, north of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1906.
§
126 | CHARACINID A.
Warri, Old Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
Kg Wanga, Old Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
Old Calabar.—Dr. Jackson, 1905.
Meme R., Cameroon.—G. Linnell, 1902.
Se ee
Although this species was established by Riippell on a single specimen obtained
on the Cairo market in March 1831, it must be extremely rare in Lower Egypt,
the northernmost specimens procured by Mr. Loat being from Girgeh. Mr. Loat
collected specimens all along the Nile from Girgeh to Omdurman, in the Blue Nile,
and in the White Nile as far south as Gondokoro. Great quantities were observed at
Luxor and between Luxor and Assuan. Mr. Loat observes :—“ This species I found
in enormous numbers both below and above, and in the quiet pools, in the cataract
between Shellal and Assuan. From the end of July to the middle of September they
were most numerous, and after that began to decrease. According to the fishermen,
this species was far less common in preceding years, but always plentiful at that time of
year at and below Assuan, while above and in the cataract country by no means common
until the present year. About acouple of miles North of Assuan, where the water was
shallow close to the bank and with not much current, the river seemed alive with
them, leaping out of the water hundreds at a time, most likely being pursued by some
large fish such as the ‘Samoose,’ which lives chiefly on small fish; even when the
boat went through the shallow water a dozen or so leapt on board. The greater
proportion of these fish were 3 to 4 inches long.”
The following native names have been noted by Mr. Loat :—* Sardeena” (cd), at
Assuan; “hellud filchie” (asc? 06), in Nubia; “abu ha@ra@’ra” or hdr@ra” (5) 52 9"),
at Omdurman ; “ baramoza” (8 jy), at Girgeh, a name which, according to de Joannis,
is also applied to the Alestes named by him A. baremose; “har'mel” (Q0,=), on the
Blue Nile.
According to Riippell, the native name at Cairo is “* Nurse.”
Alestes senegalensis, Stdr., from the Senegal, is barely separable from A. nurse. As
pointed out by Steindachner, it may be distinguished from young specimens of A. nurse
which occur along with it by the shorter head and body, 14 to 16 branched rays in the
anal fin, and by the colour of the anal and caudal fins, which are yellow, not red.
But, then, as pointed out above, the anal and caudal fins may also be yellow in Nile
specimens, if the identification of de Joannis’s Myletes guile with Alestes nurse
is correct.
ALESTES, 127
5. ALESTES MACROLEPIDOTUS.
(Plate XX.)
Brycinus macrolepidotus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 157, pl. cccecexxxix.
(1849).
Alestes macrolepidotus, Bilharz, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, ix. 1852, p. 469, pl. xxxvii.; Kner, Denkschr.
Ak. Wien, xviii. 1860, p. 19 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 313 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii.
p. 242 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 540, pl. 1.; Boulenger, Poiss.
Bass. Congo, p. 158 (1901), part. 3
Body moderately compressed, flattened on the back, its depth three and one-third to
four and a half times in the total length ; length of head three and a half to four and
two-thirds times. Head much flattened above, once and three-fourths to twice as long
as broad, once and one-fourth to once and a half as long as deep, its width considerably
ereater than its length to the occiput ; snout rounded and about as long as the eye in
the young, more pointed, projecting beyond the lower lip, and once and a half to twice
as long as the eye in the adult ; eye infero-lateral, not or scarcely visible from above,
well visible from beneath, its diameter three (young) to five and one-fourth times in
the length of the head; adipose eyelid scarcely developed ; interorbital width twice to
twice and a half in the length of the head; width of the mouth greater than the
diameter of the eye; maxillary not reaching to below the anterior border of the eye ;
16 to 20 teeth (=) in the upper jaw, 8 or 10 (eS in the lower; lower border of
second suborbital as long as or a little longer than the diameter of the eye. Géill-rakers
thin and moderately long, 18 to 22 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
II 8 (rarely 7) rays, above the middle of the space between the ventrals and the anal,
considerably nearer the caudal than the occiput; first branched ray longest, three-
fourths to seven-eighths the length of the head. Adipose fin small, about twice as far
from the rayed dorsal as from the caudal. Anal fin with IIIT 12-14 rays, pointed in
front, third simple ray longest, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head.
Pectoral fin as long as the head or a little shorter, sometimes nearly reaching the
ventral. Ventral fin shorter than the pectoral. Caudal fin deeply forked, the lobes
pointed, the lower usually a little longer than the upper. Caudal peduncle once to
once and a half as long as deep. Scales with numerous anastomosing canals,
22-20 5p 1 or 2 between the lateral line and the root of the ventral fin.
Brown or olive above, the scales with a darker edge, silvery white or pinkish
beneath and on the cheeks; a pink band often extends along the side, from the cheek
to above the anal fin; some specimens with interrupted dark brown bands along
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128
ALESTES. 129
the sides; fins pink or orange, the caudal often edged with grey or blackish. Iris
reddish orange. Young specimens usually have a blackish spot on each side of the
caudal peduncle, and another on the shoulder. |
The numerous specimens examined by me measure from 30 to 420 millimetres. if
have counted the fin-rays and scales in eighty specimens. Two have 7 branched rays
in the dorsal fin, the rest having the normal number, 8; 12 branched rays in the anal
occurs fourteen times, 13 occurs fifty-five times, 14 occurs eleven times ; five specimens
have 22 scales in the lateral line, seventeen have 23, thirty-two have 24, tweuty
have 25, and six have 26.
Alestes macrolepidotus has a wide distribution, being known from the Nile oe
the Omo, the Senegal, the Niger, and Lake Tanganyika. The specimens examined by
me are from the following localities :— |
1 Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
1 Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 19.3.00.
1 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 5.10.01.
20. Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Loat, 28.10.01-3.11.01.
60 Gondokoro.—Loat, 17.1.02-19.3.02.
1 Fajao, Victoria Nile-—Budgett, 25.8.02.
2 Omo River.—O. Neumann, 1901.
2 Cojeb River, affluent of Omo River, 2500 ft.—Zaphiro, 27.5.05.
3 Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. C. Christy, 1899.
1 Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
6 Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
2 RR. Benue, north of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1906.
6 Old Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
The species has also been recorded from other parts of Africa, but through confusion
with closely allied species which I have described under the names of A. grandisquamis
(Congo), A. brevis (Liberia, Lagos, Gold Coast), A. datesii (Cameroon), and A. rhodopleura
(L. Tanganyika), and the distinctive characters of which are given in the ‘ Annals and
Magazine of Natural History’ (7) x. 1903, p. 5965, and Tr. Zool. Soe. xvii. 1908, p. 048.
It is, however, quite possible that the true A. macrolepidotus occurs in the Congo, as
a young specimen recently obtained near Leopoldville by Dr. Christy appears to be
referable to that species.
Alestes macrolepidotus was described by Valenciennes from a specimen from the
Senegal, the author at the same time expressing the opinion that a coloured sketch
made by Rifaud * in the Upper Nile of a fish named ‘‘ Cambout” was referable to the
* This sketch has been repreduced in the incompleted work of that traveller, pl. 189, and it is surprising
that it should have been referred by Heckel to A. dentew.
8
130 CHARACINID.
same species, an opinion the correctness of which was afterwards confirmed on the fish
being rediscovered in the Nile by Bilharz. The species does not occur in the Lower
Nile, the northernmost locality on record being Kosheh, where a single specimen was
obtained by Mr. Loat, who notes: ‘This fish is said to eat the leaves of a species of
willow which generally grows close to the water's edge, for which reason the natives
call it ‘saff’saff’ (22), that being the name by which the tree is known.” Mr. Loat
saw further specimens at Omdurman and at Tewfikyeh on the Blue Nile, and collected
a large number at Rosaires in the Blue Nile and at Gondokoro in the Bahr-el-Gebel.
‘The natives at Omdurman call the fish ‘ saff’saffa’ (2080). At Rosaires the specimens
were caught in the Nile or in a large pond left by the receding river.”
In the specimens I opened I found the stomach full of vegetable matter, sometimes
mixed with débris of small insects.
MICRALESTES. bed
3, MICRALESTES.
Brachyalestes, part., Gunther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 314 (1864).
_Miecralestes, Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. i. p. 87 (1899), and Poiss. Bass. pune p. 160
(1901).
Differs from Alestes in all the teeth of the upper jaw being simply
compressed and tri- to septemcuspid.
All the species are small, with the body short and covered with large
scales bearing one or two longitudinal canals. The air-bladder is
not produced beyond the body-cavity, and the digestive canal is short.
Skull with a large fontanelle ; supraorbital bones large. Vertebre 34
(18+16).
The type of this genus, WM. acutidens, is widely distributed in Tropical
Africa and has lately been ascertained to occur in the Nile. Five other
Jaws of species are known from the Congo.
MW. acutidens.
1. MICRALESTES ACUTIDENS.
(Plate XIX. figs. 3 & 4.)
Alestes acutidens, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. 1852, p. 276, and Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 64, pl. xii. fig. 2
(1868).
Brachyalestes acutidens, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 316 (1864).
Micralestes acutidens, Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. i. p. 87 (1899), and Proc. Zool. Soc.
1903, ii. p. 329.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three to three and three-fourths times in the
total length; length of head three and a half to four and one-fifth times. Head twice
to twice and a half as long as broad, a little longer than deep; snout rounded, shorter
than the eye, which is perfectly lateral; diameter of the eye twice and one-third to
three times in the length of the head, equal to the interorbital width, and greater than
the width of the mouth; maxillary extending nearly to below the anterior border of
the eye; 14 teeth (3) in the upper jaw, 10 (5) in the lower; lower border of second
suborbital not longer than the eye. Gill-rakers short, 12 to 15 on lower part of
anterior arch. Dorsal fin with II 8 rays, beginning above the base of the ventrals,
distant from the centre or the posterior border of the eye and from the root of the
caudal fin; first branched ray longest, as long as or a little shorter than the head. Adipose
82
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SPUAIWMIANS DO AT
-MICRALESTES. 133
fin small, once and a half to twice as far from the rayed dorsal as from the root of the
caudal. Anal fin with III 14-16 rays, which are much shorter in the females than in
the males, the anterior half having a very convex border in the latter. Pectoral fin as
long as or a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral; latter shorter.
Caudal fin deeply forked, the lobes pointed. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or
slightly longer than deep. Scales with one or two longitudinal canals, 23-28 mae i
or 2 between the lateral line and the root of the caudal.
Yellowish (in spirit) with a broad silvery lateral band, often edged with blackish ;
fins white, transparent, the dorsal often with a blackish spot at the tip.
Out of thirty-five specimens from the Nile in which the rays and scales have been
counted, fifteen have 14 branched rays in the anal, ten have 15, and ten have 16; two
have 23 scales in the lateral line, five have 24, six have 25, ten have 26, nine have 27,
and three have 28. |
This species does not appear to exceed a length of 65 millimetres. The largest
specimen from the Nile measures only 50.
Until quite lately M7. acutidens was known only from the Zambesi and its affluents,
where it was discovered by the late Professor Peters, during his expedition to Mozam-
bique, in 1842-1848 *. But it has now been found in the Ubanghi, in the Niger, in
the Omo River, and in the Nile from Luxor to Gondokoro.
I have examined specimens from the following localities :—
bo
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10-11.00.
17 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
2 Assuan.—Loat, 9.1.00.
1 Wady Halfa.—tLoat, 23.2.00.
2 Omdurman.—Loat, 5.01.
2 Ina kore at Fashoda.—Loat, 14-31.3.01.
48 Lake No.—Loat, 2-3.01.
60 Gondokoro.—Loat, 14.1.02-12.2.02.
2 Omo River.—O. Neumann, 1901.
25 Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. C. Christy, 1898.
2 Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
1 Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1901.
2 Zambesi.—Peters, 1848. (Types.)
* As I have pointed out elsewhere, the specimen from the Rovuma River, referred to this species by
Giinther in the British Museum Catalogue, is a young Alestes imberi, Peters.
134 CHARACINID A,
4. ICHTHYOBORUS.
Giinther, Cat. Fishes, v. p. 362 (1864).
Snout long and narrow, beak-like; mouth large; premaxillaries coalesced, freely
movable vertically, with a pair of canine teeth anteriorly, a series of small compressed
bicuspid teeth directed backwards on each side, and numerous minute cardiform teeth
on its inner surface; maxillary bone much reduced, toothless, ankylosed to the
extremity of the premaxillary; lower jaw toothed like the upper, but with three
canines in front, fitting between the two of the upper jaw; the dentary bones
completely united, without a trace of a suture. Cheek naked; nostrils near the eyes,
on the upper surface of the snout, close together, separated by a valvular flap ;
gill-membranes narrowly attached to the isthmus in front; 4 branchiostegal rays.
Body elongate, compressed ; belly rounded. Scales small, the border strongly ciliated ;
lateral line equally distant from the dorsal and the ventral outlines; a scaly process
at the base of the ventral fin. Dorsal fin with 15 to 17 rays, behind the vertical of
the ventrals; anal with 14 to 17 rays; a small adipose dorsal fin. |
Pectoral fin with 15 rays, ventral with 10. Tubes of the lateral line straight and
extending over the greater part of the exposed surface of the scale.
No supraorbital bone; a large fontanelle entirely separating the parietals and extending
forwards to between the frontals. An interorbital septum. Vertebre 47 (29+18).
Air-bladder extending (on the right side) slightly beyond the body-cavity, the
posterior chamber three times as long as the anterior. Intestine short.
A genus of small, Pike-like, carnivorous fishes, represented by a single species.
1. ICHTHYOBORUS BESSE.
(Plate XXI. figs. 1 & 2.)
Characinus besse, Joannis, Mag. de Zool. 1835, iv. pl. x.
Ichthyborus microlepis, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 363 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 249, pl. ii.
fig. A (1869).
Ichthyborus besse, Giinther, op. cit. pp. 364, 250.
Body strongly compressed, its depth four and one-third to five and one-fifth times
in the total length ; length of head three and one-third to four times. Head flattened
above, three to three and one-third times as long as broad; snout pointed, a little
shorter than the postocular part of the head, once and a half (young) to twice as long
as the eye, the diameter of which is contained four and one-third (young) to six times
in the length of the head; interorbital width’ one to one and a half diameters of the
eye; upper jaw extending nearly to below the anterior border of the eye; 17 to 20
teeth on each side of the upper jaw, and 14 to 16 on each side of the lower, in
addition to the anterior canines; width of the second suborbital two-fifths to one-half
that of the naked part of the cheek ; upper surface of skull rugose with fine strie,
135
ICHTHYOBORUS.
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136 CHARACINIDA.
the skin very thin and adherent to the bones. Gill-rakers extremely short, rudi
mentary. Dorsal fin originating immediately behind the vertical of the base of the
ventrals, equally distant from the occiput and from the root of the caudal; its rays
II] 12-14; the first branched ray longest, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
head. Adipose fin once and one-third to once and two-thirds as distant from the
rayed dorsal as from the caudal. Anal with III 11-14 rays; anterior branched rays
more than twice as Jong as the posterior, and two-fifths. to three-fifths the length
of the head. Pectoral fin about half the length of the head, as long as the ventral,
from which it is widely separated. Caudal fin nearly entirely covered with very small,
thin scales, deeply forked, the lobes rounded or obtusely pointed. Caudal peduncle
once and two-thirds to twice as long as deep. Scales 91-112 ay 10-12 between
the lateral line and the root of the ventral fin.
Silvery, back pale olive; an iridescent, greenish golden streak above the lateral
line; some specimens with blackish spots or marblings on the back and sides; fins
whitish, except the caudal, which is pale yellow, with more or less numerous black
spots; iris olive-grey, with a yellow ring round the pupil.
Total length 190 millimetres.
This curious fish was discovered in May at Thebes, in the beginning of the last
century, by de Joannis, who was informed by the Arabs that the “ Bessé,” as they
called it, is extremely rare there, only appearing certain years, and falling into the
nets two at a time, from which fact he infers that they descend the Nile in pairs for
the purpose of breeding. The description given by de Joannis is not very correct,
it seems to me, and I can place no reliance on the number of transverse series of
scales as represented in the figure. For this reason I must differ from Dr. Giinther
and regard the fish sent from Khartum by Petherick, in 1862, and described as
I. microlepis, as identical, the points of agreement with de Joannis’s description and
figure far outweighing the discrepancies. Only two specimens were found by Petherick.
Mr. Loat was fortunate enough in securing as many as sixty-seven specimens at
various localities on the White Nile, in the beginning of 1901. These specimens
show no signs of approaching the breeding-season, and Mr. Loat was not able to make
any notes concerning their habits.
List of specimens examined :—
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862. (Types of J. microlepis.)
Between Khartum and Sobat R.—Zaphiro, 1-2.04.
Goz Abu Gumah, White Nile.—Loat, 1.5.01.
20 miles N. of Kaka, White Nile.— Loat, 25.4.01.
Nile at Fashoda.—Loat, 14—28.3.01.
In a kore at Fashoda.—Loat, 29.3.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat.).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 25-28.2.01.
Lake No.—Loat, 20.2.01.
or
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NANNATHIOPS. 137
5. NANNATHIOPS.
Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1871, p. 669 ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 182 (1901).
Mouth rather small, each jaw with two series of small, notched, bicuspid teeth ;
a few small teeth at the base of the maxillary bone. Cheek covered by the sub-
orbitals; nostrils close together, separated by a valvular flap; gill-membranes free
from the isthmus; 4 branchiostegal rays. Body moderately elongate, strongly
compressed ; belly rounded. Scales rather large, with strongly ciliated border ; lateral
line, if distinct, equally distant from the dorsal and the ventral outline; a scaly process
at the base of the ventral. Dorsal fin with 13 to 15 rays, above the ventrals; anal
fin with 10 rays; a very small adipose dorsal fin.
A large fontanelle separates the frontals and the parietals. The air-bladder 1s
moderately elongate, the posterior chamber about twice as long as the anterior, and
the intestine is shorter than. the body.
A single species is known, which may be regarded as a connecting-link between the
Hydrocyonine and the Distichodontine.
1. NANNAXTHIOPS UNITANIATUS.
(Plate X XI. fig. 3.)
Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1871, p. 670, pl. Ixv. fig. 0; Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1882,
p. 321; Vaillant, Bull. Soc. Philom. (8) v. 1893, p. 18; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo,
p. 182 (1901); Lénnberg, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1908, p. 38.
Depth of body two and three-fourths to three and a half times in the total length,
length of head three and a half to four times. Head about twice as long as broad,
a little longer than deep, its upper surface rugose in the adult ; snout rounded, shorter
than the eye, the diameter of which is contained two and a half to three times in the
| length of the head ; interorbital width a little greater than the diameter of the eye :
mouth terminal; 22 to 30 teeth in the outer premaxillary series; maxillary extending
to below the anterior border of the eye. Gill-rakers short, 10 to 12 on lower part of
anterior arch. Dorsal fin with III 10-12 rays, originating a little in advance of the
ventrals, its distance from the eye equal to its distance from the caudal fin; longest ray
anterior, nearly equal to the length of the head. Adipose fin very small, once and a half
to twice as distant from the rayed dorsal as from the caudal. Anal fin with III 7 rays,
nearer the caudal than the base of the ventrals. Pectoral fin about two thirds as long
T
138 CHARACINIDA.
as the head, shorter than the ventral. Caudal fin forked, with pointed lobes. Caudal
peduncle as long as deep. Scales 82-36 = 4 between the lateral line and the base
of the ventral fin; the lateral line sometimes restricted to a few of the anterior scales.
Olive-brown above, yellowish beneath; a black lateral streak, sometimes narrowly
edged with silvery, from the eye to the median rays of the caudal fin; a blackish spot
at the tip of the anterior rays of the dorsal fin. In the young, the lateral band is
narrower, formed of a multitude of dots.
This little fish grows toa length of 62 millimetres, but the specimens obtained
in the White Nile by Mr. Loat are quite young, measuring only 20 millim. ‘The
following measurements are therefore given from one of the type specimens, from the
Gaboon :—
Measurements (in millimetres).
phe demetas without Catal oat gene ee i eke oe pees oe Pe. OU
Cre n Reem iH Ars eset ce eh ee ey ar weilgae «pede ee aie Aas” ke otcked,
Length of head . 13
Width of head . 7
Length of snout 3
Diameter of eye 4
Interorbital width . D
Longest ray of dorsal . 12
- ao: Peaieth 6
Length of pectoral 9
7 ventral . 10
First discovered in the Gaboon, WV. wnttewniatus has since been found in the Gold
Coast, in the Ubanghi, in Cameroon, in the Niger Delta, in the White Nile, where
Mr. Loat came across a young specimen ina kore at Fashoda (end of March, 1901)
and four in Lake No (Feb.—Mar. 1901), and south of Gondokoro by Dr. F. Werner
in 1900.
DISTICHODUS. 139
6. DISTICHODUS.
Miiller & Troschel, Hor. Ichthyol. i. p. 12 (1845) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 172
(1849); Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 359 (1864); Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 185
CROCE).
Mouth small, inferior or subinfericr, with small bicuspid teeth, usually forming
two series in each jaw; maxillary toothless, moderately large. Cheek covered by the
suborbitals ; nostrils close together, separated by a valvular flap; gill-membranes
attached to the isthmus; 4 branchiostegal rays. Body short or moderately elongate,
strongly compressed; belly rounded. Scales moderate or small, with strongly ciliated
border; lateral line equally distant from the dorsal and the ventral outlines, or nearer
the former ; a scaly process at the base of the ventral fin. Dorsal fin with 16 to 27
rays, above the ventrals; anal fin with 11 to 21 rays; a small or moderately large
adipose dorsal fin.
The scales are bordered by a fringe of long, closely-set spines; the tubules of the
lateral line are perfectly straight. Small scales cover the whole or the greater part
Fig. 21.
Jaws and lateral scales of Distichodus niloticus.
of the caudal and adipose fins. The pectoral fin is composed of 18 to 20 rays, the
ventral of 11 or 12. !
In this genus, as in Citharinus, the brain-case extends forwards between the orbits, |
a character which is constant throughout the Cyprinide. An elongate fontanelle,
beginning between the orbits, separates the frontal and parietal bones on the median
line; the supraorbital bone is absent and the supraoccipital bears a more or less
elevated crest. The vertebrae number 44 to 51 (27-33+17-18): D. niloticus has
33+18. :
TS
140 CHARACINIDA.
The air-bladder is large, the posterior chamber about five times as long as the
anterior, the outer membrane of which is in communication with the skin, at the
beginning of the lateral line, by a rather large meatus, filled with a gelatinous
substance, between the dorsal and ventral lateral muscles*. ‘The intestine is nearly
three times as long as the whole fish and forms numerous coils; it is usually full of
soft mud and decomposed vegetable matter.
This very natural genus, the range of which extends over the whole of tropical
Africa (with the exception of Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika) and the Nile, comprises
seventeen species; a synopsis of these has been given by me in the ‘ Annals and
Magazine of Natural History,’ (7) viii. 1901, p. 510. Four species occur in the
Nile system.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Snout not compressed, its length less than the interorbital width ; width of mouth three to
four and two-thirds times in length of head; lobes of caudal fin rounded or obtusely
pointed.
A. Interorbital width considerably less than half length of head; base of adipose fin not more
than half as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal, which is composed of 22 to
26 rays.
Seales 90-110 see 15-18 betweeen lateral line and veniral . . . . 1. D. niloticus, L.
Seales 83-98 oe 13-15 between lateral line and ventral. . . . . 2. D. rostratus, Gthr.
B. Interorbital width half, or a little less than half length of head; base of adipose fin
as long as ora little shorter than its distance from the rayed dorsal, which is composed
of 20 to 23 rays.
Seales 80-91 ame 18-20 between lateral line and ventral. . . . . 3. D. brevipinnis, Gthr.
22-25?
II. Snout compressed, projecting very strongly beyond the mouth, its length equalling, or nearly
equalling, interorbital width ; width of mouth five to six times in length of head; lobes
of caudal fin acutely pointed.
Seales 75-85 ae 11 or 12 between lateral line and ventral. . . . 4. D. engycephalus, Gthr.
The supposed fifth species from the White Nile, described by Dr. Steindachner as
Distichodus marnoi, is, as I have already pointed out, based on a young specimen of
Citharinus citharus.
* A feature also met with in some Loaches and Cat-Fishes.
DISTICHODUS. 14]
1. DISTICHODUS NILOTICUS.
(Plate XXII. and Plate XXIII. fig. 1.)
Salmo niloticus, part., Linneeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Paleest. p. 422 (1762).
Salmo egyptiacus, part., Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 1886 (1788).
Characinus nefasch, part., Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 274 (1803); Geoffroy, Descr. Hgypte,
Poiss. p. 44 (1809).
Citharinus nefasch, part., Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829).
Distichodus niloticus, Miller & Troschel, Hor. Ichthyol. i. p. 12, pl. i. fig. 3 (1845) ; Giinther, Cat.
Fish. v. p. 860 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 246 (1869); Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H.
(7) vii. 1901, p. 513.
Distichodus nefasch, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 175 (1849).
Distichodus rodolphi, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 223; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova,
(2) xix. 1898, p. 258.
Depth of body two and a half to three and three-fifths times in the total length,
length of head three and one-fourth (young) to five and one-eighth times. Head once
and one-third to once and a half as long as deep, once and two-thirds to twice and
a half as long as broad; snout rounded, somewhat depressed, projecting more or less
beyond the mouth, its length less than the interorbital width; diameter of eye three
(young) to six times in the length of the head, interorbital width two and one-fourth
to three times; width of mouth three and three-fourths to four and two-thirds times in
the length of the head ; teeth in two series in each jaw, the outer series containing 24
(young) to 36 teeth ; maxillary extending to below the nostrils ; upper surface of head
and opercle more or less rugose, with radiating strie. Giull-rakers short, 17 to 20 on
lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 22 to 26 rays, 3 to 6 of which are
unbranched, equally distant from the occiput and from the root of the caudal fin, or a
little nearer the former; longest rays two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head.
Adipose fin small, nearly equally distant from the rayed dorsal and from the caudal. Anal
fin with 13 to 15 rays, 3 or 4 of which are unbranched; longest ray one-half to three-
fourths the length of the head, usually reaching, or even extending a little beyond, the
root of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin three-fifths to five-sixths the length of the head,
as long as or slightly shorter than the ventral. Caudal fin forked, with rounded
lobes. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or slightly deeper than long. Scales
90-110 a 15 to 18 between the lateral line and the ventral fin.
Purplish grey above, silvery white below; young with 10 to 13 vertical dark bars
on the body, a round blackish spot above the pectoral fin, on or below the lateral line,
and another at the base of the caudal fin, these markings disappearing gradually with
age; vertical fins greyish, sometimes blackish at the edge, the dorsal with numerous
small round darker spots. Iris light bronze-brown.
CHARACINID A,
142
‘qvoT—epoyseg “9 ‘g
"qvorT—fonog tuog “g ‘G
‘qvorT—"JOXNT “TT ‘6 ‘8 °L ‘qvoT— ON eY8T “OL ‘py SMe rec = OLN) beastie,
SL OE GI SL OT 9T ST CT OT QT LT |' ccc ccc * [earques pure out [es1ezey Ueamyoq =“ rs
OG Meee” Oe te Nee Sa) 2G OG ta Ge Omer | Amie la fre | ake: ue PORAL Po VEE MOTO a : ‘
6L 61 61 0G ST 61 06 6L 0G 02 oS caeey ania ' OUT] [B19]Vl PAOQL SOLles OS1eASUBIy UT * et
06 €6 96 COT) -O0T *60t* 96 GOT 1) O01 66 Fe Fe oa Te I igen eS e
rT at si ae eT rT 1 rT] FI FI pL [ttt tr crete sneer reee sees ghar pee ‘<6
ae WA ez GZ ez eg 9g ez aa og 2 x Sages A. ate. Saat ryder Modan : sea [vsiop Jo zoquinyy
! a GI ez 9 ee te 19 0g Gg POSH ES eg tear Hb AN er oe path ae Aes he Ls a jeryu8a 6s
L FI 9T Q] az 97 Ie 1F 19 G) nn Bit ne ge a ee aly age" a ‘ress+ qetojed yo yySuerT
9 OT aii p ac 0Z 0g re 0¢ eG OL fotitrttsestteree Deterrent eee ees TeuE ‘6 ‘6
6 al 6I GI 9% 6Z ee OF 99 o2 Pe - esaop yo Lea ysoSuory
€ G 9 L 8 OT ia CT &G LG SE fielder apes - Sarr Ah, ‘ora is era a Ov Peak.
if 8 OL Tf FL 9 16 GG Lg cP SES ae ag AO oad ee a ae Sh" pAb NS cn Sarg A SE ese ae
a 9 , , 9 6 Pe eee Oe game ligt Pond tame eee at ca ee eee et ase yo aojoutercy
Zo % 9 é A Ae ee tale eae a ah che ee oe ae (te eee iter lpn wee eat
e 6 ral 1 OT ST ez 0g cr GG ne os ie ge ane Feeteee sees s+ neo Jo UIPEM,
eT 0 9g its eo OF GF 09 99 Gor) eat tt: Fe aaah ch re 4: altahos oie Fre teeeseeese sss nuoy Jo ygSuery
ral IZ te ge 0g ee 99 08 or) ost | og tot rR pape st WR att MR orcad ga aay a acta - yydop qsoyvery
GOR A OOL aL Cet 1 1007 3 Oe OO tm OBE MEE Oiar dm ORO an, a ane ae ae eee "7+ (Qepneo qnoyjEN) qyysuey [eyOJ,
Wk ‘Or 6 8 *L 8] g 'Y § G yi
‘sajvos pun shps-uyf fo sdaqunu pup (SajoWT]][ UA UT) spuauadnsvayT
DISTICHODUS. 145
Total length 700 millimetres.
Distichodus niloticus is known from the Nile, the White Nile, and Lake Rudolf.
List of specimens examined :—
1 Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
3 Lower Nie.—Petherick, 1861.
2 Beni Sonef.—Loat, 7-14.9.99.
2 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 3-10.11.00.
1 Nile between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
8 White Nile.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Jebelain, White Nile.—Loat, 10.1.01.
18 Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1.01-31.3.01.
1 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 4.3.01.
1 Lake No.—Loat, 22.2.01.
1 Lake Rudolf.—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1895. (Type of D. rodolphi.)
According to Hasselquist, this fish is called by the Arabs of Egypt “ Nefash.” The
following names have been noted by Mr. Loat :—* Leffash,” at Cairo; “ lissan” (bw),
at Beni Souef; “Jlissan el bug’garr’” ( ,891 yw), in some places in Egypt.
2. DISTICHODUS ROSTRATUS.
(Plate XXIII. fig. 2.)
Salmo niloticus, part., Linnzeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Palest. p. 422 (1762).
Salmo egyptiacus, part., Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 1886 (1788).
Characinus nefasch, part., Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 274 (1803) ; Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss.
p. 44, pl. v. fig. 1 (1809).
Citharinus nefasch, part., Rtippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829).
Distichodus nefasch, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 175 (1849).
Distichodus rostratus, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 8360 (1864), and Petherick’s Tray. 11. p. 246, pl. ili.
fig. B (1869); Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vii. 1901, p. 513.
Distichodus martini, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 549, pl. iii. fig. 2.
This species is very nearly related to the preceding, differing only in the somewhat
larger scales, of which there are 83 to 98 in the lateral line, ee in a transverse series,
and 13 to 15 between the lateral line and the ventral fin. ‘The other distinctive
characters pointed out by Ginther, viz. the more prominent snout and the longer anal
fin, are not constant.
The coloration is also the same as that of D. rostratus. A coloured sketch made by
the late P. Delhez at St. Louis, Senegal, represents the upper parts as of a bluish grey ;
the upper third of the iris bright red. Gtinther describes the back as greenish.
CHARACINIDA.
144
‘esLOSUY—"IOSIN ‘MOqsW "ZT.
"ywoT—Yousoy *G
*4vo'T —"0.10 yopuo*) me)
‘SUT[SON—'pvyO "J “¢
SOQIOT—OSIT *e
+)
“yOMaqJeg—o[IN| ToMO'T °Z
“aIpeq y—' 1001 N ‘eqqoar ‘OL CORES OTE on aE oF *yeory]—"Jounog luv °S ‘5 "2949. — [Bsoueg ‘SInOrT a ch
SR HUN OS Ee bal aes SAC Ce 7B a DA ca a men ae TM AL se me ce a [B4zU9A PUL OU] [RLI}vT Toeeyzoq = a
OG 1 SEs SL ae Eee HE eh OO eS CCRT A Ne te Oe ah OG de eden heer Eeae yt SNOT E : : é
GT CT OT 9T CT 9T 9T 9T GT 91 9T GT | OUT] [B10q¥] oAOG” Soles OSIOASUBI} UL ‘i
Be) ROG td, aie mee, He ORt i ine a MMeG lei. ne ens Seta rs yak ho aut a re ls yo "* OUT] [BLoqL] UE sefvos
eae ss itn ee aig AG cy SMR MAL ea a Ae lie eRe gM 1 Ui Dd ge teen A et Tai TR tia Mea ee eg
FO (TPES. OP Sie weet: he Oe lS Bee dma EO ca ae ir Coren ie men Gn te seas Sr Hitter tse sss" gitar Tesdop Jo sequin Ny
5 Be ibe ae tag gp ieee hs NM ashetl pa bial ei eee ee os ge ee Ea ae eat teat se ie a aa
8 OE Se aOR PST h Bel ee eee man ge Oh OB ake Gi oh mes BP es a Hort tss ss [etojoad Jo qysa0r]
8 6 1B a ap 4a ty “Ua cc Ou ehh ea | aS «ca OE Pia lea me ano gata ream ae a ee oy 4
VOGT i een 1 Re er tae a eee ie eal MRC VEC ie. hs igOeert Rt Ot ya) Herter ess ceseses [estop Jo ABI ysasttoT
2 : ; : ! eg ae ae eae | ee ian ie SE io Se lh ak Thurso at Mk
¢ 9 8 OP OE, ED aes, Ty Agee Si) ira tp BR) Ma ie ol tg OL MIN YIPIM [eqIq.10194 UT
F g g 9 8 8 Tg es ha OR a ee tin el cecee rey. fhe ‘7 1* ede Jo Jojourviq
if g u 8 8 Gs Se eB AR awe th S| esos Sk tag oe RR ea AMS cea gar Tae og oe '* qnous Jo qyeueTy
Ord 6 EP UGE OE ae CREO ees OO heme On ania lm fae we eee Cette "y Pees? HPL
i a a N'A ke Clg i SCO SEO Ra aeRO ana aaa Ree ACR abe eee Si eH See eo OES PSY ge. arteae
GRRE Seal iy Gee 1 ae eG ae eG ieee | a.) GSR AOE Saws ieee Cie ccatmtinease nore es cess" yadep qseqvery
G2) Sed Ceo AGO Ob Ty OORE OU TaoOen | 08 1 OSE.) OBE F Obey Va Len 5 vores sess (epneo qnoyytay) qySa9y [v0.7
el TL ‘OL nh) 8 L 9 i YP Bes G y
‘saynas pun skns-uyf fo sarqunu pud (SerjoUIT][IU UL) spuawainsvaTy
DISTICHODUS. 145
D. rostratus grows to the same large size as D. niloticus, our largest specimen measuring
620 millimetres.
The habitat extends from the Lower Nile to the Victoria Nile and to the Senegal
and Niger. The specimens examined are from the following localities :—
1 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861. (Type.)
2 Beni Souef.—Loat, 2.10.99.
2 Ataregulator near Luxor.—Loat, 23.10.00.
1 Ina pond near Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 13.3.00.
1 Gondokoro.—Loat, 28.2.02.
1 Fajao, Victoria Nile-—Budygett, 25.4.02.
1 Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
1 West Africa. (Type.)
1 St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
1 Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
1 Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1898.
1 Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
2 Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
10 Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
1 R. Benue, north of [bii—Norton Smith, 1906.
In Egypt the fish is confounded with D. niloticus by the native fishermen. The
older authors have also failed to discriminate between the two species, and it is now
impossible, from the imperfect definitions given, to decide to which the names niloticus,
egyptiacus, and nefasch should be applied. The figure given in the ‘ Description de
Egypte ’ refers, however, to the present species, whilst Geoffroy’s description was based
in part on the preceding *. As Giinther was the first to make the distinction, I have felt
bound to use the names as applied by him, although I should myself have preferred to
retain the name niloticus or nefasch for the form with larger scales, figured by Geoffroy,
instead of the other.
* Dr. Pellegrin kindly informs me that the Nile examples from Geoffroy St.-Hilaire’s collection (1799),
which the Paris Museum still possesses, belong to the latter, having D. 24, A. 24, Sq. 94-102 18 whilst
20-23?
an example from the Nile from Olivier’s collection (1795) is referable to D. rostratus, having larger
scales (92 ss): That the scales are accurately represented in the figure accompanying Geoffroy’s description
is shown by a comparison with the fizure of Serrasalmus citharus on the same plate.
146 CHARACINIDA,
3. DISTICHODUS BREVIPINNIS.
(Plate XXIV. fig. 1.)
Gtinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 360 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 247, pl. iii. fig. C (1869) ;
Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, xi. i. 1870, p. 547, pl. iii. fig. 1; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag.
Ne) vil. 1901, p.5 13.
Depth of body two and three-fifths to three times in the total length, length of head
three to four times. Head as long as or a little longer than deep, once and a half to
twice as long as broad; snout broad, rounded, slightly projecting beyond the mouth,
its length about two-sevenths to one-third that of the head; diameter of the eye three
(young) to six times in the length of the head, interorbital width twice or a little more
than twice ; width of mouth three to four times in the length of the head; teeth in two
series In each jaw, the outer series containing 20 (young) to 34 teeth; maxillary
extending to below the nostrils; upper surface of head with feeble strie. Gill-
takers short, 14 to 16 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 20 to 23 rays,
4 to 6 of which are unbranched, equally distant from the occiput and from the root
of the caudal fin; longest rays three-fourths to five-sixths the length of the head.
Adipose fin rather large, its base as long as or a little shorter than its distance from
the rayed dorsal. Anal fin with 13 to 15 rays, 3 or 4 of which are unbranched : longest
ray three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head, reaching beyond the root of the
caudal. Pectoral fin three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head, as long as
or slightly shorter than the ventral. Caudal fin forked, with short rounded lobes.
Caudal peduncle usually deeper than long. Scales 80-91 18 to 20 between the
lateral line and the ventral fin.
Olive or dark grey above, white beneath, the sides with large round dark spots
forming four or five irregular longitudinal series; according to Mr. Loat’s notes, these
spots appear only after the fish has been a short time in spirit; fins greyish, except
the pectoral, which is whitish; dorsal spotted with black; the ventrals and anal
sometimes blackish. In a sketch made by the late P. Delhez on the Senegal, the iris
is represeuted as crimson.
Total length 220 millimetres *.
‘This species is known from the White Nile, Lake Chad, the Senegal, and the Niger.
* The head and tail of a very large specimen from the Upper Niger indicate that the species grows to a
length of at least 550 millimetres.
bo Re br be PE O&O
DISTICHODUS. 147
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4 5. 6 7 8
| oes es
+ Total length (without eatdal).ciisan cee ke 200 {170 |130 {115 |100 | 70 | 66 | 36
| Cee test ienth cation ak) Pouamoaeie ata eo ene gen ees 80 | 71 | 48 | 48 | 40 | 26 | 22 | 12
| Lenvthsbt head aie 55 fae Or Se ce 52 | 42 | 34 | 81 | 27 | 20 | -19 | 12
| Width Of head ae aes ae ne ee ees Lg cay as Se Bia a Fs Eevee bs eal Se a
Hens OF BOUT: 5 5-4 aetna gs wera eee De ge ote 14) 14112 (10). 9). 7. 61-4
Diameter ef byei 5.35 a eegen $i ee a ee ee iE elQsi76" 8s fa Ge 8. 4
Inverornrtal wit a5 cera eee Be EO PEO oe es ot =e
Width of-mrouth 722.458 se ee es ee ee 1 AS 10-7 8 Ba Gh ee
Longest ray ob dorsnl es 2 soc, caer 402 30% 27s es eer do aS
ij py re LS 5 AE Hata es Da ieee oeret os 30 | 27 20 22 12S El abi 6
dCHotn, Gl RewrOrals: 655 st oe eee BO ok Jeep o to Le ee eg
a OU Ete ese oe ee ees eee aoe eae Oo (solos Je tee2 |e le Peo
Number-otsdovaal rays (2s age 5 45ten) ee ee ee 290). Die Die 29 234-21 Be 238
* Ri Pae ee eee ee eee 13 | 14/15 |138)14)| 14) 14/ 14
s Seales anclatera ime... ee ee 88 | 80 | 90 | 90 | 86 | 91 | 90 | 80
‘ »» In transverse series above lateral line ....) 20 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20
a + ae = below lateral_line: .; ..) 24 | 94-1. 92 4 -93.1-22 1 98 | 94 1 24
ra », between lateral line and ventral ........ PONG 20 tO 1B ost 26
Fee as
1,2. Fashoda.—Loat. | 6. YoR., L. Chad.—Gosling.
3,5. Khartum.—Petherick. 7. Agberi, Niger.—Ansorge.
4, Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez. 8. Assay, Niger.—Budgett.
Specimens examined :—
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862. (Types.)
Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1.01—25.3.01.
Yo River, Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Assay, Lower Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
R. Benue, north of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1906.
v2
148 CHARACINIDA.
4. DISTICHODUS ENGYCEPHALUS.
(Plate XXIV. fig. 2.)
Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 361 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 247 (1869) ;
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 513.
Depth of body twice and two-fifths to three times in the total length, length of head
four to five times. Head but little longer than deep, twice to twice and a half as long
as broad; snout feebly compressed, projecting very strongly beyond the mouth, its
length equal to, or slightly less than, the interorbital width ; diameter of the eye three
(young) to five times in the length of the head, interorbital width twice and a half to
three and a half times; mouth straight, its width five to six times in the length of the
head; teeth in two series in each jaw, the outer series containing 18 to 22 teeth;
maxillary extending to below the nostrils; upper surface of head nearly smooth. Gill-
rakers short, 15 to 18 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 23 or 24 rays,
4 or 5 of which are unbranched, equally distant from the occiput and from the root of
the caudal fin, longest rays as long as the head, or a little shorter. Adipose fin small,
equally distant from the rayed dorsal and from the caudal. Anal fin with 13 or »
14 rays, 3 or 4 of which are unbranched; longest ray one-half to four-fifths the length
of the head, not reaching the root of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin two-thirds to four-
fifths the length of the head, as long as the ventral. Caudal fin forked, with acutely
pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than long. Scales
79-8) — 11 or 12 between the lateral line and the ventral fin.
Brown above (in spirit), silvery white below ; sides with numerous round dark spots,
disposed irregularly ; dorsal fin with more or less distinct dark spots, which may form
transverse series; young with a round dark spot at the root of the caudal fin.
Total length 270 millimetres.
‘I'his species is represented in the collection before me by a few specimens obtained
in the Nile, in the Blue Nile, and in the Niger Delta :—
Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 15.6.00.
Kosheh, Nubia, in a pool left by receding Nile—Loat, 14.4.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862. (Types.)
Sennar, Blue Nile.—Loat, 22.10.01.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 10.01.
Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
bo Re
a a
Specimens were also obtained at Mongalla, opposite Lado, by Dr. Werner.
According to Mr. Loat, the fish is called “ leffash” at Cairo, “lissan” at Sennar,
“teew narkar” (6, 23) in Nubia, “ he’ra’sha” (\t),>) at Omdurman.
DISTICHODUS.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
ie
| Total length (without caudal) ..........-..+..-- seen 240
| Greatest depth (2. 0 .. il. Vee Soe ees alae ee 100
Length of head . 2.1... sea chee ce pe amet ere eens une 50
Width: or Jredel. ssc dtm, wgdan’ See etcie ween ee oe pleas 24
Length oF Sion a2-r. x Ve ee eae Seo ee 18
Diameter On 6yGr 29 so st te eee pee ee 10
TiiterOclroml With Wee eave ena te st oo 3 ie eee ee 18
W idthsok months 25-34 see cg HE as Fe ae 6 eee ae 10
Lonpestmayr of gored 55 Fe wees betes ta os eae one 50
35 Gk CERINEDE 7 fet tain Sl OOS oe. pee CR ig ce es 38
b lubrigbht Gk PeChOtal i. a ithe su any ay ae ont eae 40
bs MEMES sancucth De tee 2a eee ot Oe ae AO
INGINeT” OF tlOneme Bins aa on a hy os enna eee 24
2h fidtayl TES oaks gtuners a taiease aa ee eer et we 13
e scghes: Wn laenah me}... S045 eis. «os ahs aoe 85
2 » in transverse series above lateral line ..} 16
i ‘s mp Ps below lateral line -..| 17
a ,, between lateral line and ventral ...... 12
1..° Cairo.—Loat;
2. Sennar-_—Leat.
3, 4. Shartum.—Petherick.
149
110
~J
10
4, 5.
94 65
31 23
23 yg
10 7
8 5
7 5
8 5
+ 3
17 13
13 | 9
16 12
16 12
24 24
13 14
80 75
15 15
ere 16
2 11
5. Abo, Niger.—Ansorge.
6. Wad Medine, Blue Nile.-—Loat.
150 CHARACINIDA.
7. NANNOCHARAX. |
Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xx. 1867, p. 112 ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 196 (1901).
Mouth very small, inferior, each jaw with a single series of small, notched, bicuspid
teeth; maxillary toothless, moderately large. Cheek covered by the suborbitals;
nostrils close together, near the eye, separated by a valvular flap; gill-membranes free
on the sides only; 4 branchiostegal rays. Body more or less elongate, cylindrical or
feebly compressed. Scales small, with strongly ciliated border; lateral line equally
distant from the dorsal and the ventral outlines; a scaly process at the base of the
ventral fin. Dorsal fin with 12 to 15 rays, above the ventrals; anal fin with 10 or
11 rays; a small adipose dorsal fin.
A narrow fontanelle separates the parietals and extends forwards between the
frontals; the supraorbital bone is absent. ‘The vertebrae number 44 (22-422) in
NV. niloticus, 43 (214-22) in N. elongatus from the Congo.
The air-bladder, as noticed by Mr. Rowntree, is much reduced. It does not
extend more than half the length of the body-cavity. There is the usual division into
two chambers, of which the posterior is considerably the longer, but the cavities
appear to be largely obliterated. ‘The anterior chamber is globular, with hard tough
walls, the posterior 1s narrowed almost to a rudiment. ‘The digestive canal is about as
long as the whole fish.
This genus, which may be described as a dwarfed modification of Distichodus,
embraces six small species :—One from the Nile, one from the Gaboon and the Congo
(NV. fasciatus, Gthr.), three from the Congo (XN. brevis, Blgr., NV. elongatus, Blgr., and
N. tenia, Blgr.), and one from Cameroon (1. intermedius, Bler.).
1. NANNOCHARAX NILOTICUS.
(Plate XXI. fig. 4.)
Coregonus niloticus, Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. vii.
Nannocharax niloticus, Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xx. 1867, p. 113; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass.
Congo, p. 198 (1901).
Depth of body five to six times in the total length, length of head four to five times.
Head once and three-fourths to twice as long as broad, as deep as broad; snout
rounded, nearly as long as or a little shorter than the eye, the diameter of which is
contained three times or nearly three times in the length of the head; interorbital
width slightly less than the diameter of the eye. Gill-rakers short, 8 to 10 on the
NANNOCHARAX. LOL
lower part of the anterior arch. Dorsal with II] 9-10 rays, originating above the root
of the ventrals ; anterior branched rays longest, three-fourths to once the length of the
head; the fin equally distant from the end of the snout and from the root of the
caudal fin, or a little nearer the former. Adipose fin about once and a half as distant
from the the rayed dorsal as from the caudal. Anal fin with III 7-8 rays, much nearer
the root of the caudal than the base of the ventrals. Pectoral fin acutely pointed,
shorter than the head, not reaching, or just reaching, the root of the longer ventral.
Caudal fin forked, the lobes acutely pointed. Caudal peduncle twice to twice and a
half as long as deep. Scales 50-55 ot 5 between the lateral line and the root of the
ventral.
Pale olive above, in life, white below; a silvery lateral streak just below the lateral
line; 8 to 12 brown bars across the back, and a series of 6 to § round, oval, or square,
more or less distinct brown spots along the lateral line ; small vertical bars sometimes
present below the lateral line; a small dark spot on the base of the caudal fin; three
more or less distinct longitudinal dark streaks on the snout; fins white, dorsal
sometimes dusky; iris silvery white.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Pitta Fletch tis oa a ge eee oe re a eg eee pe aes ea
s py at Oat OMReaCal) at) So See eed eee =. ee
Civeabest celta. oie ae 2 ee a ce ee a ae as 74
TGV tN OF UR ea nae Aes Wee oe ee ae ee Bee | es
Width of head ae ee ane 1 eee ee ee eS 5
hienath Olea oes: Sepa ose ee eee a
Diameter of eye. 34
Interorbital width . ; 3
Ligng@est- Var GiaGoreay oa ert! ths Sas ee ie te Se Gs ee
af Rm os ees De Dare erin MRS gt See hea eT os
hienoth or pectoral S525 a tee ea ee ee 8
“s ORUCGA 8G Piet Soe ge eee ee ee ee ees
This little fish was discovered at Thebes by de Joannis in 1835. He says it is not
very common and is taken chiefly in winter, that it is held to be delicious eating, and
that the Arabs call it “ Samak-el-malch.” It does not appear to have been found again
until Mr. Loat obtained a specimen in the Nile at Beni Souef, at the end of August
1899 ; another was found at Assuan, at the end of September 1900, and four hundred
and twenty at a regulator near Luxor between Oct. 8 and Nov. 12, 1900. Mr. Loat
collected four further specimens in the White Nile, 15 miles north of Kaka, on
April 22, 1901, and sixty-five at Gondokoro between Jan. 20 and March 3, 1902.
‘wo specimens were obtained in the Blue Nile, at Rosaires, by Capt. S. Flower in
June 1905.
152 CHARACINIDA.
8. CITHARINUS.
Cuvier, Régne Anim. ii. p. 168 (1817), part. ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 94 (1849),
part. ; Miiller & Troschel, Hor, Ichthyol. iti. p. 8 (1845) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 302 (1864);
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 201 (1901).
Mouth wide, straight, terminal or subinferior, with minute pointed teeth inserted on
the labial margin; maxillary small, toothless. Suborbitals covering only a part of the
cheek ; nostrils close together, separated by a valvular flap; gill-membranes free from
the isthmus; 4 branchiostegal rays; an accessory branchial organ. Body very strongly
compressed; belly rounded. Scales moderate or small, not ciliated; lateral line
equally distant from the dorsal and the ventral outlines, or nearer the former; a
scaly process at the base of the ventral fin. Dorsal fin with 17 to 23 rays, above or
behind the vertical of the ventrals; anal with 22 to 31 rays; a small or rather large
adipose dorsal fin.
Hig. 22.
Upper view of skull and lateral scales of Citharinus citharus.
The scales appear smooth, but when examined under a lens of low magnifying-
power they are seen to be concentrically striated, and these strive, which may be
interrupted and wavy, are intersected by short longitudinal raised lines; the free
border of some of the scales on the sides may be slightly festooned or crenulated.
The tubes of the lateral line are short and straight, and most of them end in a short
branch usually directed downwards but sometimes upwards. Small scales cover the
adipose fin, at least at the base.
The pectoral fin is composed of 15 or 16 rays, the ventral of 11.
The accessory branchial organ discovered by Sagemehl * consists of a series of
* Morphol. Jahrb. xii. 1887, p. 307, pl. xvii.
CITHARINUS. 155
lobules in a sac behind the fourth gill; it was regarded by its discoverer as a structure
arising from the gill of the rudimentary fifth branchial arch or inferior pharyngeal
bone, and intended for breathing atmospheric air, a contrivance which enables the fish
to remain longer in muddy, insufficiently aerated water.
The brain-case extends far forwards, there being no interorbital septum. Skull
with a large fontanelle extending from the ethmoid to the supraoccipital, interrupted
by a narrow bridge formed by the frontals above the alisphenoids; the supraoccipital
is produced into a high crest directed upwards and backwards; supraorbital bone
large; parasphenoid bifurcating behind in two long and slender processes; acoustic
bulle greatly developed. Vertebre 44 (25+19) in C. citharus, 42 (24-418) in
C. latus; ribs very broad at the base. |
The air-bladder is large, the posterior chamber about five times as long as the
anterior. A meatus between the dorsal and lateral muscles under the origin of the
lateral line, as in Distichodus. Stomach with very numerous pyloric appendages.
Intestinal canal about five times as long as the whole fish, forming several coils.
These fishes are mud-swallowers, feeding principally on alge and diatoms.
Three species are known from the Congo Basin and two from the Nile. These may
be easily distinguished by the following characters :—
C. citharus.—Base of adipose fin shorter than its distance from the rayed dorsal,
which is composed of 17 to 20 rays; anal with 25 to 31 rays; scales 77—90
st 17-21 between lateral line and base of ventral fin.
C. latus.—Base of adipose fin longer than its distance from the rayed dorsal,
which is composed of 20 to 22 rays; anal with 23 to 26 rays; scales 63-71
aoe 14-16 between lateral line and base of ventral fin.
1. CITHARINUS CITHARUS.
(Plate XXV.)
Serrasalmus citharus, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 40, pl. v. figs. 2 & 3 (1809).
Citharinus geoffroyi, Cuvier, Réegne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 313 (1829); Miiller & Troschel, Hor.
Ichthyol. i. p. 9 (1845) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xxii. p. 95 (1849) ; Giinther,
Cat. Fish. v. p. 302 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 240 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak.
Wien, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 538; Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. i. p. 93 (1899).
Iiistichodus marnot, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxxiil. i. 1881, p. 200.
Citharinus citharus, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1905, i. p. 151.
Depth of body once and four-fifths to twice and one-third in the total length,
length of head three to four times. Head twice to twice and one-third as long as
x
154 CHARACINID A.
broad, upper profile deeply concave; snout short, once and three-fourths to twice
as broad as long, a little longer than the eye in the adult, a little shorter in the young,
projecting slightly beyond the mouth; diameter of eye three and a half (young) to six
times in length of head; a narrow adipose lid in front of and behind the eye; inter-
orbital width twice and one-fourth to twice and a half in length of head; width of
mouth twice and one-third to three times in length of head. Gill-rakers short, fine,
closely set, about 50 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 17 to 20 rays,
3 to 5 of which are unbranched ; anterior branched rays more or less produced, often
longer than the head; the fin originating behind the vertical of the base of the ventral
and nearer the root of the caudal than the end of the snout. Adipose fin moderately
large, its base one-half to four-fifths its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin with
29 to 31 rays, 3 or 4 of which are unbranched ; anterior rays forming a produced,
pointed lobe, measuring one-half to two-thirds the length of the head. Pectoral fin
three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head, as long as or slightly shorter than the
ventral, reaching, or nearly reaching, the base of the latter. Caudal fin deeply forked,
with acutely pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or slightly deeper than
long. Scales 77-90 . 17 to 21 between the lateral line and the base of the
ventral fin.
Coloration silvery, the back greenish or purplish grey ; pectoral fin white, other fins
grey, usually with some bright red on the ventral, the anal, and the lower lobe of the
caudal; adipose fin sometimes edged with black ; iris silvery. Young often with dark
longitudinal lines running between the series of scales.
The largest specimen in Mr. Loat’s collection measures 450 millimetres, but
specimens were observed at Mangara and at the mouth of Lake No measuring between
500 and 600 millimetres. A specimen from Khartum, in Petherick’s collection,
is 480 millimetres long.
C. citharus is known from the Lower Nile, the Upper Nile, the Blue Nile, the
White Nile, the Chad Basin, the Senegal, the Gambia, and the Niger. It has been
recorded from Lake Rudolf *.
I have examined the following specimens :—
Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
Nile near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 19.8.04.
Biba, Lower Nile.—Loat, 14.9.99.
In a backwater of the Nile, near Id. of Arko, Nubia.—Loat, 17.4.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 5.10.01.
Mangara, White Nile.—Loat, 3.1.01.
OS OO be eH
bo
* Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 223.
155
CITHARINUS.
‘yeSpng—soin essy “¢]
WOT— LN ON] “OUIPETT PUM “ST
"WOT — OTN OF AL “VaUSURTY “LT
‘TOMOTLY—'OleQ °¢
"WoT — OTN OGM “ONT TT “8 ¢y
"Zoq [oq — [Bsoueg ‘SInOory "49 9
‘qworT—viqn Ny foyapy ‘pF
"SOqIOT—"TOSINT "e
‘\ospng—eiquiuy °¢
‘qVorT—"OTIN OUT MA “UIRPEGSF “OT ‘OMoy jeg —unqieyy “G ‘qwoT— ‘ofl Tomoy “eqig ‘T
Sie Wo0ae ete ei Oo uaGn | 06 her | MOC GE Oe. | BE hog ioe: '** [B1}ZUOA puv UIT [wLOqv] MedMyaq “ :
Ge Werat tance) Gor eee bec A hoon he ao ORs | he hee oe aU] [eloyeT AOTOq ‘ ‘ “ :
CS VG GG SSG GG GG et CG CG FG Go GG Le OUI] [VloJVT OAOge SOLTOS OSLAASUBI] UT“ ae
O6 iPS 9G Ble eS | 288 J Rol eS <8 ee.) 06 |.06 | Le ES eed eee aC ee oul] [e1oye] UI so[vos 4
Oe oe een. ete gie: |: Ste ie io Ge. ee | eet Goa ee ee er ser ati .
ae Oe a ee ae ee ie eR | Oe Be rap [eae iene ae meee ey, Scher agua jattan une
De ae deste pe alg nae tenet cg by) gant a pene ae oP Gece. ay aa 4
OTe Oe nee acme | RBCs eae sak ee (mn unl MET ee hi Pican| /Gaae |e aie et Ne gee ea SS AGS vi, Tale gy [toyed Jo yysueT
poe apa eer eee com ce om mes go Gee gar tise hE gett. rag r
vagal are Sr Se (0 ace Wi cage Na fel) PR a Ss Re Gee GES SSB rs el? wail a7 00 eA tna occa " [Bsdop JO Ava ysosuory
ae a PE aa OP eS AAR H at eck Ae ciate ag] ae aga cag a aC an a aha > Ra a YIMOW JO YIPLAL
TMB A ee Es CNRS ella Re ee Cae en pe Svc alin aa AMR RE Ns ay a ac Se ae a a "APIs [ByIqto10qUT
Be eats Page aa mer der mee eee es ge cpa thc pes oe Rh hc baaiey 9 cs ae ce a2 ae Shetuttice
et ee ae greg Spe rere ieee sare Neagle” | Sap pee egg Be oS ae eenrrtaae Pat e B > Vamenta ya Biter,
Bie! ter sone eee Ieee ae ae Maid | ope eg: ee ee Pe REE a” a we er Te
ie ot es eee hye) ce ame eco liegs Fe bak lice poke eee (inept: ne Mag: Soe ge | ak eT webu dee uaduor;
Cr ey gee ah | 268. ee eel aed ee | OL T G00 OGG | rae ee ae oe fe a Bee "*** yqdep qsoqvery
Gar Be j200R) 2M el Ser Aa Ore 0m | 09e | oe | Oe |. OOP Rt srreesee sess (epnes qnoygia) yy8uey [eqo,,
‘61 ral "hee ‘OL 6 8 “Lh 9 G a4 § 6 |
‘sappos pun show-uxl fo saaqunu pup (sorjowt{{tU U1) spuawainsvary
QI
ad
qn
or)
CHARACINIDA.
ho
Jebelain, White Nile-—-Loat, 10.1.01.
Mouth of Lake No, White Nile-—Loat, 23.2.01.
Lake No.—Loat, 13.2.01.
Yo River, Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Niger.
Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Assay, Lower Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
R. Benue, north of Ibi—Norton Smith, 1906.
fecal
pts
He © ee h bh bo tr
—
This is the “ Gammor el lelleh,” or ‘“‘ Moon-fish,” of the Arabs, so called from
its deep, silvery body. According to Mr. Loat, it bears the names “gammer” or
“gammera” (8,43: 43) in Upper Egypt, “ bet’coy’ya” (as4») at Omdurman.
Perfectly recognizable representations of it occur on the mural paintings of the
tombs at Giza and Sapara *, at Deir el Gebrawi‘, and on the tomb of Ti at Sakkara,
_as I see from an unpublished photograph in the collection of Prof. Flinders Petrie.
2. CITHARINUS LATUS.
(Plate X XVI.)
Miiller & Troschel, Hor. Ichthyol. i. p. 9 (1845) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxi. i. 1870,
| p. 539 ; Pfeffer, Thierw. O. Afr., Fische, p. 42 (1896); Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool.
Ia Ga ( L609).
Depth of body once and three-fifths to twice in the total length, length of head
three and one-fifth to four times. Head once and four-fifths to twice as long as broad,
its upper profile more or less concave; snout as long as or slightly longer than the
eye in the adult, shorter in the young, projecting slightly beyond the mouth; diameter
of eye three and one-third (young) to four and a half times in length of head; a
narrow adipose lid in front of and behind the eye; interorbital width twice and one-
seventh to twice and a half in length of head; width of mouth twice and a half to
three times in length of head. Gill-rakers short, fine, closely set, 60 to 80 on lower
part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 20 to 22 rays, 4 or 0 of which are unbranched ;
anterior branched rays more or less produced, as long as or longer than the head; the
fin. originating behind the vertical of the base of the ventral and nearer the root of the
* Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pls. ix. & xlvi.
y Archeol. Surv. Egypt, xii. pls. iv. & vy.
CITHARINUS. qT
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4 am a) 7 8 9
Total length (without, caudal) ac4 ss. ¢sss tc, eg Soe ae 380 310 |290 |220 |160 1140 |100 | 92 | 80
| Grgatest dept 1. Sy. ak RiGG one ee GRE Be Car ress 195 190 180 180 | 96 | 78 | 55 | 52 | 44
bewerhtor Wendt. oa. sete ee ge ere onitg ds a8, sae eee 97 | 87 | 80 | 62 | 45 | 37 | 80 | 28} 24
Width ef Nem: esc \is inca lee) ween ee eee eee es o4 | 45 | 48 | 82 | 24 |-19 | 15 | 14 | 12
Length: of snonts.-034.5 <1) eee eee ee Be 20s) BO Sede LO nO a afresh
PIA BIee? OF Gy Or 8 Par. eee ee eae ene ae a0 OO Ge aE, en ee Sins
interorbital width=, <accsgee rs co ee ets pee eae AD B07) Soot gi ak Ao 12s ee 10
Widihot mouths -205to tae ee Bb 88 OF | 20) ay en vies 8
| Longest fay i0f doemle ars kee eee See LOT 905-90.) 75.1 672) 624. 40 37 280
& gs a Ns gs ee ee nee es 46.| "49 | 48 | 39 | 84 | 28 | 2? 4416 - 155
(AR ERET AONE SD OCU HIS ope recat ce ican ak ene ene ea 80 | 65 | 64 | 49 | 37 | 30 | 20 | 21/17
ei PN find cent oN teeth etc cet uke as eae 80 | 66 | 68 | 58 | 42 | 34 | 25 | 25 | 20
Nuniber Of dorsal tays' 1 7ite at. Re hap ee mae es Beta eer OI | Bi eee etre
4 AHL PAWS, ee ner ra ee ie Cae Poe 25 93 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25
ys scslesiin lateral lines ig. 8 ee 65 | 64 | 71 | 67 | 63 | 70-| 67 | 65 | 65
e » in transverse series above lateral line ..) 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 T7164 206
a 5 . a below lateral line ../ 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 18
¥ », between lateral line and ventral ...... Pa APG hs Aa 4 a se
1. Niger. 5. Beni Souef.—Loat.
2, 3, 6, 7. Gondokoro.—Loat. 8. Mangara, White Nile.—Loat.
4. Lokoja, Niger.—Budgett. 9. Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez.
caudal than the end of the snout. Adipose fin rather large, its base once and one-
sixth to twice and a half its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin with 23 to
26 rays, 5 or 4 of which are unbranched; anterior rays forming a produced, pointed
lobe, measuring one-half to two-thirds the length of the head; base of fin not longer
than its distance from the base of the ventral. Pectoral fin two-thirds to three-fourths
length of head, as long as or a little shorter than the ventral, reaching, or not quite
reaching, the base of the latter. Caudal fin deeply forked, with pointed lobes. Caudal
158 CHARACINIDA.
a 14 to 16 between the lateral line and
peduncle deeper than long. Scales 63-71
the base of the ventral fin.
Grey above, white below, with iridescent silvery sheen; horizontal dark grey lines
may run between the series of scales; some reddish or orange may be present on the
ventral, anal, and caudal fins. |
The largest specimen in the British Museum measures 420 millimetres.
C. latus appears to have the same distribution as the type species of the genus, but
to be everywhere rarer. It is on record from the Lower Nile, the Upper Nile, the
White Nile, the Senegal, and the Niger. It has also been recorded from the Kingani
River, E. Africa. The following specimens have been used in drawing up the above
description :—
~
LONE
Beni Souef, Lower Nile.—Loat, 7-14.9.99.
6 Mangara, White Nile——Loat, 2—3.1.01.
4 Gondokoro.—Loat, 15.1.02-16.2.02.
1 Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
| Lokoja, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
2 Niger.
1 R. Benue, north of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1906.
1 Old Calabar.—Dr. Jackson, 1905.
According to Mr. Loat, the native fishermen do not distinguish between the two
species of Citharinus. At Beni Souef the fish is caught when the Nile is going down,
and in winter, but it is very uncommon in summer. The following observation was.
made at Beni Souef by Mr. Loat :—* In making a longitudinal incision on either side
of the body of a specimen, in order to allow the spirit to penetrate, I cut into several
cavities, large and small, lying just above the lateral line and close to the vertebral
column, and a quantity of liquid, of a thickish substance and red in colour, oozed out,
evidentiy from these cavities.”
CYPRINIDZ. 159
CYPRINIDA.
Mouth more or less protractile, toothless, bordered by the premaxillaries and the
maxillaries, or, more frequently, by the premaxillaries only. Parietal bones united in
a sagittal suture, or separated by a fontanelle; opercular bones well developed ;
symplectic present. Lower pharyngeal bones falciform, subparallel to the branchial
arches, provided with teeth arranged in one, two, or three series, and often remarkably
specialised. Ribs mostly sessile ; no parapophyses in the thoracic region ; epipleurals
and epineurals, mostly free, floating. Pectoral fins inserted very low down, folding like
the ventrals. Body naked or scaly. No adipose dorsal fin.
The brain-case is produced forward to the nasal capsule. The branchiostegal rays
are reduced to three ; the branchiostegal membrane is usually more or less extensively
grown to the isthmus.
Freshwater fishes feeding on vegetable substances or small animals, and acne
over the whole world with the exception of South America, Madagascar, Papuasia,
and Australasia. The species are exceedingly numerous, about thirteen hundred being
known. Two hundred and ten of these are African, falling into twelve genera, eight
of which are represented in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Genera.
I. Cyprintnaz.—Barbels not more than two pairs; pharyngeal teeth large, in small number,
working against a sclerous plate attached to a ventral process of the basioccipital, which
extends under the anterior vertebree ; air-bladder usually large and divided into an anterior
and a posterior part, not surrounded by a bony capsule.
A. Lateral line running along the middle of the side of the caudal peduncle ; anal fin with
5 or 6 branched rays ; suborbitals narrow, not covering the cheek.
Mouth inferior, crescent-shaped, with much developed lips forming a
sort of sucker and furnished on the inner side with a sharp cutting-
edge covered with a horny layer ; dorsal fin eae well in
advance of the ventrals. . . . ae sl aque, Guy.
Mouth inferior, transverse, crescent- fa a more or less eallined
suctorial disk on the chin, usually bordered by the lower labial
fold ; gill-openings restricted to the sides ; dorsal fin originating
well in adwanee of: the ventrals .. 5 6 3 4 5 8s a ws 2. Discognathus, Geck..
160 CYPRINIDA.
Mouth inferior, transverse, nearly straight or feebly curved, without
lips, the lower jaw completely exposed and showing a sharp cutting-
edge covered with a horny layer ; dorsal fin originating above or
a little in advance of the ventral. . . . . 2... . . . . 3. Varicorhinus, Riipp.
Mouth terminal or inferior, with more or less developed lips, the upper
being always perfectly distinct ; dorsal fin originating above or a
little behind or a little in advance of the ventrals . . . . . . 4. Barbus, Cuv.
B. Lateral line running along the lower part of the caudal peduncle ; anal fin with 10 to 19
branched rays ; suborbitals large, covering the whole or a considerable part of the cheek.
Dorsal fin originating in advance of the origin of the anal; belly
POG GR saps free tt aes oes on alt eee ge (eee ee oe Oe Mus A aD. DuCH,
Dorsal fin originating above or a little behind the origin of the anal ;
Rd ep INOT HCG int Na ork aie tate Byip ge PEs: ppd 6. Neobola, Vincig.
Dorsal fin originating behind the origin of the anal; belly keeled
between the very large pectoral fins . . . . . . 2... . 7. Chelethiops, Bler.
If. Coprrinai.—Barbels three pairs or more ; pharyngeal teeth small ; anterior part of the air-
bladder divided into a right and left chamber separated by a constriction and enclosed in a
bony capsule, the posterior part free, or absent ; scales minute or absent.
Three pairs of barbels, none at the lower jaw ; dorsal fin opposite to
GS SVM EVAIGPES par ctor oat tsi anna) “ete ne Ue l= Bee Menaehilis. Vanshless:
1. LABEO.
Cuvier, Réegne Anim. il. p. 194 (1817) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 335 (1842) ;
Heckel, Russegger’s Reisen ii. p. 1024 (1843); Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 45 (1868) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 209 (1901).
Abrostomus, A. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Africa, Fish. (1841).
Tylognathus, Heckel, t. c. p. 1027 ; Giinther, t. ¢. p. 62.
?ohitichthys, Bleeker, Atlas Ichth. iii. p. 25 (1863).
Body more or less compressed, covered with small, moderate, or large scales.
Lateral line nearly equally distant from the back and from the belly or a little
nearer the latter. Mouth moderate or large, protractile, inferior, with much
developed lips forming a sort of sucker and furnished on the inner side with a sharp
cutting-edge covered with a horny layer; barbels present or absent. Suborbitals
not covering the cheek. Dorsal fin with 11 to 26 rays, 8 to 23 of which are
branched, originating in advance of the ventrals. Anal fin short, with 7 or 8 rays.
A scaly process at the base of the ventral fins. Pharyngeal teeth in three series
, oo), 3, 3) with the crowns spoon-shaped and close together.
This genus is principally characterized by the great development of the lips, which,
LABEO., 161
when the mouth is closed, conceal the edge of the mouth, which in the allied
Varicorhinus is completely exposed. The lips vary greatly according to the species,
the two extreme types being shown by J. niloticus and L. forskaltt. Looking into
the mouth, we notice that the upper side of the pharynx is occupied by a thick,
cushion-like, papillose pad *, in front of which, on the mucous membrane of the
palate, there is a group of large papille ; in LZ. niloticus, L. horie, and LL. coubie these
large papille form a double series of lamellar transverse folds, which in their disposition
have been compared by Steindachner + to the cephalic disk of Lcheneis.
The scales are finely striated longitudinally, with or without a central area of
eranular asperities. Narrow scales, agreeing in number with the fin-rays, form a sort
of sheath at the base of the dorsal and anal fins.
There are 17 to 19 rays in the pectoral fin, and 10 (eight of which are Healey in
the ventral.
The gill-rakers are short, but very numerous and closely set.
The skull is massive ; a supraorbital bone is present, which is sometimes small and
always widely separated from the postorbitals ; the occipital crest is short and low and
does not extend on to the parietals, which bear a transverse ridge. The premaxillaries
are devoid of ascending processes. The dentary bones are bent at an open or right
angle, the oral branch being perpendicular to the articular branch. ‘The clavicles are
very strong, and bear an inward crest which restricts the passage between the pharynx
and the body-cavity, thus forming a kind of diaphragm. ‘The numbers of vertebree are
as follows in the specimens examined of the five species occurring in the Nile system :—
Lanitoheus 2G ee, Se R.Br
Di ROUGE gn ee ergs ee = ee ee
Di OUD ES EAS Te a ees PE OD
Le ORLOVIONS a ES ig ee Sea ee ee
Ly TP OPSAAUE Pa ON. Page ok ES ek eee oak eae OD
The intestinal canal is extremely elongate and much coiled up. According to
Heckel, its length equals eight or nine times the length of the body, but in a
specimen of L. forskalit measuring 170 millimetres I find the intestine measures
2640 millim., or sixteen and a half times the total length of the fish, and in a
specimen of L. cowbie 230 millim. long it measures 4930 millim., or twenty-one times
the length of the fish.
The fishes of this genus are essentially herbivorous; they feed chiefly on alge and
decomposing vegetable substances and also on diatoms and other minute organic
substances contained in the mud which they swallow in great quantities. Their
flesh, in Egypt, is absolutely worthless.
* As exists also in the Carp, where it is known to epicures as the “ tongue.”
+ Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. 1870, p. 562, pl. vii. fig. 1 a.
162 CYPRINID.
The Labeos include some of the largest Cyprinids, individuals of one of the Congo
species attaining a length of over three feet.
The snout, and sometimes also the regions above and below the eyes, bears, at
least in the breeding-season, horny tubercles on a tumefied fleshy base, which vary
much according to the species and also according to the individuals. They are
present in both sexes, but more developed in the males, and as they drop off
immediately after the nuptial period, only their crater-like bases are seen in most
specimens in collections. ‘These horny tubercles are simply knob-like in L. niloticus,
horte, and coubie, whilst in L. forskalii and its near allies each tubercle is crowned by
a circle of spinules.
Over sixty species of this genus are known, from Southern Asia and Africa. The
African species, of which I have given a synopsis in the ‘ Annals and Magazine of
Natural History,’ (7) xii. 1903, p. 355, number thirty. Of these, according to our present
knowledge of their distribution, eleven are peculiar to the Congo system, seven to
Kast Africa east of the Nile system, southwards to the Zambesi (including Lake
Nyassa), four to the Nile, four to South Africa (Orange and Limpopo Rivers), two to
West Africa from the Niger northwards, one to the Cameroon district, and one
species is common to the Nile system and to the Senegal-Niger.
Synopsis of the Species.
I, Inner surface of lips not bearing transverse plice in addition to the sharp ridges ; eyes perfectly
lateral, visible from above and from below ; snout hardly as long as or shorter than post-
ocular part of head.
Upper lip bordered with rounded or subconical papille ; dorsal fin with
14 to 17 branched rays, its upper edge usually concave, rarely
straight or slightly convex ; scales 41-45 sy 5 or 6 between
lateral line and root of ventral . . . . : . IL. ZL. niloticus, Forsk.
Upper lip bordered with conical papille forming a very distinet eae :
dorsal fin with 12 to 14 branched rays, its upper edge straight or
4 1-15
63 =e)
lnterak Jine-and teot of Ventral 5 j<ofadancilive ce! vice lay, Boa! Bue home Heck,
more or less convex in the adult ; scales 40-4 4 or 5 between
Ij. Inner surface of lips bearing transverse plicee formed by series of papille ; snout at least as
long as postocular part of head in the adult.
A. Eyes perfectly lateral, visible from above and from below, or nearly perfectly lateral.
Dorsal fin with 11 to 14 branched rays, its upper edge straight or more
or less convex in the adult; snout at least as long as postocular part
of head ; scales 36-40 =e. 4 io 54 between lateral line and root
2 2
OL NOUN Go a ei tee i We dain 14. fe Se eae a os Ea woudie, “Riipp.
LABEO. , 163
Dorsal fin with 9 or 10 branched rays, its upper edge concave ; snout not
longer than postocular part of head; scales 38-39 ap 41 or 5
between lateral line and root of ventral . . . . . . .. . . 4. L vietorianus, Bler.
B. Eyes supero-lateral, entirely or nearly entirely visible from
above; snout at least as long as postocular part of head ;
dorsal fin with concave upper border, with 10 (rarely 9 or 11)
branched rays; scales 38-42 a 4 or 5 between lateral line
andivdateor venttal= ii .¢ fae aa tes RS let Be A Si rae es
de, LABEO NILOTICUS.
(Plate XXVIT. fig. 1.) ‘
Cyprinus niloticus, Forskal, Deser. Anim. p. 71 (1775) ; Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. pl. ix.
fig. 2 (1809).
Labeo niloticus, I. Geoffroy, op. cit. p. 282 (1827); Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, xxxix. 1898,
p. 259. |
Labeo niloticus, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 338 (1842) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish.
vil. p. 47 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. 11. p. 259 (1869).
Labeo vulgaris, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Hgypt. iii. p. 303, pl. xx. fig. 3 (1846).
Body strongly compressed, its greatest depth three and one-fourth (adult) to four
and one-third times (young) in the total length. Head nearly five to five and one-
fourth times in the total length in the adult, four to four and a half times in the
young, its width two-thirds to three-fourths its length; snout broadly rounded, its
length about one-third that of the head, the eye being in consequence nearer the end
of the snout than the posterior border of the operculum; eye perfectly lateral, just
visible from above as well as from below, its diameter four and a half to six times
in the length of the head in the adult, three to four times in the young; interorbital
width one-half to three-fifths the length of the head; mouth rather feebly arched,
its width two and two-thirds to four times in the length of the head ; both lips with
several rows of rounded or subconical papille, those of the outer row forming a
distinct fringe; edge of the rostral flap entire; a minute barbel in the corner of the
mouth, more or less hidden under the folds of the skin; tubercles on the snout, or
their pore-like scars, numerous but very small. Dorsal fin composed of III 14-17
rays, equally distant from the nostrils or from the end of the snout and from the root
of the caudal fin, its upper edge usually more or less distinctly concave, rarely
straight or slightly convex, the last simple ray and the first branched ray usually
longest and as long as or longer than the head. Anal fin with III 5 rays, acutely
pointed, its longest ray usually shorter than the head, not reaching the root of the
caudal. Pectoral fin more or less distinctly falcate, nearly as long as ora little
¥2
164 CYPRINIDZ.
longer than the head, not reaching the ventral, the first ray of which falls below the
sixth or seventh branched ray of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply emarginate, crescentic
when fully spread out. Caudal peduncle but little longer than deep in the adult,
once and one-fourth to once and one-third as long as deep in the young. Scales finely
striated longitudinally, 41-45 sip 9 or 6 between the lateral line and the base of
the ventral, 18 to 22 (usually 20) round the caudal peduncle.
The upper parts are greyish, brownish, olive, or steel-blue, the lower silvery white ;
a more or less distinct dark bar behind the gill-opening ; ill-defined dark longitudinal
lines may run between the series of scales below the lateral line; the membrane
between the fin-rays is more or less obscured by minute black specks. Mr. Loat has
made a coloured sketch of an adult specimen at Kosheh, which shows the upper parts
to have been brown with green edges to the scales, the dark bar behind the gill-
opening bright green; the scales on the middle of the side, above and beneath the
lateral line, orange in the centre; fins greyish, the ventrals tinged with flesh-colout ;
upper part of iris orange, lower part silvery white. A young specimen, 115 millim.
long, from Ghet-el-Nassara, is represented as electric blue on the back, the scales just
above the lateral line shot with pink in the middle and with blue on the sides, the
lower parts white, shot with very pale salmon-pink ; upper surface of head and caudal
fin dark olive-grey; dorsal fin pale grey; paired fin and anal pale salmon-pink ; iris
salmon-pink in its upper part, silvery white below.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 470 millimetres.
This species inhabits the Lower and Upper Nile, the Blue Nile, and the White Nile.
It is found, during Nile time, in Lakes Menzaleh, Borollos, and Edkou. It has
also been obtained in the Sagan River, connecting L. Abaia with L. Stephanie, and
in an affluent of the Omo River. I have examined specimens from the following
localities :—
21 Lower Nile.— Petherick, 1861.
12. Near Ghet-el-Nassara.—Loat, 4.6.99.
8 Bahr-el-Tawilah, a freshwater canal running into the west side of L. Menzaleh.—Loat,
26.6.99.
17 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12~23.7.99.
1 Lake Edkou.—Loat, 29.10.99.
Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 28.7.99.
eS
S
2 Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish-Bazar.—Loat, 27.3.99.
4 Near Cairo, in a canal by side of road leading to Pyramids of Giza.—Loat, 7.3.99.
8 Beni Souef.—Loat, 26.8.99.
3 Birket-Kartin, Fayum.—Loat, 29.9.99.
1 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
2 Nile between Abu Tig and Assiut.—Loat, 1.12.99.
a
So
bo
Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10.11.00.
400 Nile between Iuxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
165
LABEO.
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166 CYPRINIDA.
31 Assuan.—Loat, 30.12.99, 7—9.1.00.
12 Nile near Assuan.—Loat, 9.00.
13 Korosko, Nubia.— Loat, 26.1.00.
2 Derr, Nubia.—Loat, 31.1.00.
2 Ibrim, Nubia.—Loat, 5.2.00.
2 Anebi, Nubia, in a backwater.—Loat, 6.2.00.
2 Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23.2.00.
3 Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 3.00.
2 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
7 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.— Loat, 5.10.01.
1 Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
3 Sagan R., Wando, 2800 ft.—Zaphiro, 22.8.05.
2 Ergino River, tributary of Omo River, Malo, 3000 ft.—Zaphiro, 7.7.05.
This large series has enabled me to ascertain the amplitude of variation in this
long-known but not at all well-known species. I have counted the dorsal fin-rays and
the scales in 140 specimens, and recorded the following variations :—
One specimen (from the Sagan River) has 13 branched rays in the dorsal, thirty-one
specimens have 14, seventy-oue have 19, thirty-five have 16, two have 17; 41 scales
in the lateral line occurs twice, 42 twelve times, 43 thirty-eight times, 44 seventy times,
45 eighteen times; 84 scales in a tranverse series above the lateral line one hundred
and thirty-one times, 94 nine times; 8} scales in a transverse series between the
lateral line and the middle of the belly fifty-nine times, 95 seventy-seven times,
10 three times, 104 once; 18 scales round the caudal peduncle twenty-three times,
20 one hundred and ten times, 22 seven times.
To judge by the series collected by Mr. Loat, the species is more common in the
north than in the south, and Mr. Loat describes it as by far the commonest fish
between the mouths of the Nile and Halfa.
The following list of native names is supplied by Mr. Loat, who observes that
L. horié is not, as a rule, distinguished from L. niloticus by the fishermen :—‘“ Ladiss”
( rss) at Cairo, Samannud, Lake Borollos, Lake Edkou, Beni Souef, Rosetta
(at Kafr-el-Zayat the words “labiss hasharbie’
(2s hwy), at Cairo, Barraga N. of Cairo, Rosetta, Kafr-el-Zayat, Assiut, Fayum, -
2
refer to big “ labiss”); “ bessariya”
Beni Souef, is used when speaking of small “J/adiss,” also at Sohag, Akhmim,
Girga, Nag ’Hamadeh, Assuan; “syrr” ( ,20), this name 1s sometimes applied to this
species at Samannud, Lake Borollos (at Katr-el-Zayat “syrr” applies to medium-
sized “labiss”’) ; “hinnima” (sssi>), on and near Lake Menzaleh; “ migwar” Bie
is the name given to big examples and “ makaky ” (456) to medium-sized examples in
the Fayum (the word “ labiss” not being used in the Fayum at all); “ labiss er@ie”
(os'J] [wds)) Is a name used by some of the fishermen at Beni Souef; “dips” al)
LABEO. 167
(this refers to the big fish), at Assiout, Sohag, Akhmim, Girga, Nag "Hamadeh,
Assuan ; ‘“‘dups or dub’bis” (29), between Shellal and Wady Halfa, Omdurman,
and Blue Nile; “dzsera” (s.), for small specimens by some of the fishermen of
Assuan, evidently a corruption of ‘ bessariya,’ which is used throughout the whole of
Egypt for small specimens of this fish ; ‘‘fowra” (s,,3), sometimes used at Arko.
2, LABEO HORIE.
(Plate XXVIII. and Plate XX XT. fig. 1.)
Labeo horie, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 304, pl. xxi. fig. 1 (1846).
Chondrostoma dembensis (non Riippell), Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvii. p. 398 (1844).
Labeo niloticus, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 47 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 259
(1869).
Body strongly compressed, its greatest depth three and one-third to four times in the
total length. Head five to five and two-thirds times in the total length in the adult,
four to five times in the young, its width two-thirds to four-fifths its length; snout
broadly rounded, its length about one-third that of the head; eye nearly perfectly
lateral, but slightly better visible from above than from below, its diameter five to five
and two-thirds times in the length of the head in the adult, three to four times in the
young ; interorbital width one-half to three-fifths the length of the head; mouth rather
feebly arched, its width twice and a half to three times in the length of the head; both
lips with several rows of papille, those of the outer row long and conical and forming
a strong fringe on the upper lip; edge of the rostral flap entire; a minute barbel in
the corner of the mouth, hidden under the folds of the skin; tubercles on the snout,
or their pore-like scars, very small or absent. Dorsal fin composed of III 12-14 rays,
usually III 13, equally distant from the anterior border or the centre of the eye and
the root of the caudal fin, its upper edge straight or slightly convex, the anterior
branched rays longest, always longer, and often much longer, than the head. Anal fin
with III 5 rays, acutely pointed, as long as or a little shorter than the head, rarely a
little longer, often reaching the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin more or less distinctly
falcate, nearly as long as or a little longer than the head, not reaching the ventral, the
first ray of which falls below the fourth or fifth branched ray of the dorsal. Caudal
fin deeply emarginate, crescentic when fully spread out. Caudal peduncle not or but
slightly longer than deep. Scales finely striated longitudinally, 40-44 spp 4 or 9
between the lateral line and the base of the ventral, 16 or 18, rarely 20, round the
caudal peduncle.
As in the preceding species, the upper parts are greyish, olive, greenish brown, or
CYPRINIDZ.
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nies ik be fa ele eine teen eee atiel: aS ee 6.) wel eran ueNO est tol) eu aiA ale avin al Te mia 1h pvoy JO UPI
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LABEO. 169
steel-blue, the lower parts pale golden or silvery; ill-defined, dark longitudinal lines
are sometimes present, running between the series of scales ; young with a more or less
distinct, always ill-defined, round dark spot on the side, involving the series of scales
bearing the lateral line, above the pectoral fin; minute black specks are present on
the membrane between the dorsal rays.
Total length 570 millimetres.
This species inhabits the Lower and Upper Nile, the Blue Nile, the White Nile, and
Lake Albert. I have examined specimens from the following localities :—
Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara.— Loat, 11.6.99.
‘Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 13.7.99.
Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 29.7.99.
Barrage N. of Cairo.—Loat, 19.10.99.
In a trench near Cairo.—Loat, 21.10.99.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 13.8.99.
Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
Nile between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8-12.10.00.
Ibrim, Nubia.—Loat, 5.2.00.
Upper Nile.—Petherick, 1865.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Omdurman.—Loat, 21.5.01.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 7.10.01.
Fashoda.—Loat, 25.3.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 23.2.01.
T'sutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 3.8.02.
Co Ro me! RB OS Re EE be OS
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According to Heckel, who well distinguished this species from LZ. niloticus, ‘ Horie”
is the name it bears at Assuan. According to Mr. Loat, it is not distinguished by
fishermen, so far as he could ascertain, from the ‘‘ Ladis,” whose various names are given
under L. niloticus.
L. horie is easily distinguished from L. niloticus by its more strongly fringed upper
lip, its higher and usually more convex dorsal fin with fewer rays, and its larger scales.
Out of thirty-six specimens examined, three have 12 branched rays in the dorsal fin,
twenty-eight have 13, and five have 14; seven specimens have 40 scales in the lateral
line, thirteen have 41, eight have 42, seven have 43, and one has 44; 16 scales round
the caudal peduncle occurs thirteen times, 18 scales twenty-two times, and 20 only
once,
L. senegalensis, C, & V., of which I have examined a good number of specimens
from the Senegal, the Gambia, the Niger, and Lake Chad, is extremely closely related
Z
170 CYPRINIDE.
to L. horie, differing only in the larger scales, of which there are 37 to 40, usually 38
54-64
6
or 359, in the lateral line, and in a transverse series. L. steindachneri, Pteff., from
the Kingani River, German East Africa, appears to be also closely related to ZL. horie,
but is described as having only 36 scales in the lateral line and a large blackish spot
on the caudal peduncle in front of the caudal fin, as in the young of L. coudie.
In view of the much closer agreement between Z. horie and L. senegalensis than
between the first and Z. niloticus, which species does not occur in the West African
rivers, I need hardly say that Ginther’s suggestion that Z. horie may be a hybrid
between LL. niloticus and L. coubze is untenable.
3. LABEO COUBIE.
(Plates XXIX., XXX., and XXXI. fig. 2.)
Labeo coubie, Riippell, Fortsetz. Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 11, pl. in. fig. 1 (1832); Cuvier &
Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 844 (1842).
Labeo niloticus, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. ¢. p. 338.
Labeo selti, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 845 ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxi. 1870, p. 562,
ple vit. tg. 4:
Labeo niloticus, Heckel, Russeyger’s Reise Egypt. i. p. 300, pl. xx. fig. 1 (1846) ; Peters, Reise
Mossamb. iv. p. 46 (1868). .
Labeo coubie, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. vu. p. 48 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. i. p. 260 (1869).
Body strongly compressed, its greatest depth three to three and two-thirds times in
the total length. Head four to four and three-fourths times in the total length in the
adult, three to four times in the young, its width three-fifths to three-fourths its
length ; snout rounded, often more or less swollen, its length two-fifths to one-half
that of the head, at least. as long as and often longer than the postocular part of the
head; eye nearly perfectly lateral, although sometimes not at all visible from below,
its diameter four and a half to seven times in the length of the head in the adult, three
to four times in the young; interorbital width one-half to three-fifths the length of
the head; mouth strongly arched, its width twice to three times in the length of the
head; lips not distinctly fringed on the edge, with small papillae forming transverse
plicee on the inner side; rostral flap large, completely detached at the sides, its edge
entire or feebly denticulate ; a minute barbel in the corner of the mouth, usually hidden
under the folds of the skin; tubercles on the snout, or their crater-like scars, much
developed in the adult. Dorsal fin composed of III 12-13 (rarely 11 or 14) rays,
equally distant from the anterior or the posterior border of the eye and the root of the
caudal fin, its upper edge straight or more or less convex in the adult, straight or
slightly concave in the young; except in very young specimens, the longest rays more
or less exceed the length of the head. Anal fin with IIT 5 rays, acutely pointed, as long
LABEO, til
as the head or a little longer or a little shorter, reaching, when folded, the root of the
caudal, or beyond. Pectoral fin falcate, nearly as long as or a little longer than the head,
not reaching the ventral, the first ray of which falls below the fourth or fifth branched
ray of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply emarginate, crescentic when fully spread out.
Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than long. Scales finely striated
65-75
longitudinally, 86-40 @:-g:, 4-54 between the lateral line and the base of the ventral,
16 to 18 round the caudal peduncle.
Specimens in spirit are brown or brownish olive above, the scales often darker at the
base, with or without a very indistinct darker lateral band. Young often have dark
longitudinal lines running between the series of scales, and a large round dark blotch
on the caudal peduncle is constantly present, a character by which very young specimens
of this species are easily distinguished at first glance from the young of the preceding
species and of L. senegalensis, in which there is instead a similar dark blotch above the
pectoral fin. Mr. Loat describes a half-grown specimen from Beni Souef as “ dark
green, with a patch of pinky lilac on each scale, most marked on the sides of the body,
the edges of the scales a brighter green; fins a dull purplish.” In specimens from
Kosheh, Mr. Loat notes some pink colour on the posterior rays of the dorsal fin and
the middle rays of the caudal. ‘The iris was reddish orange, with much black pigment
above and on the sides.
The largest specimen from the Nile seen by me measures 370 millimetres, the largest
from West Africa 430. According to Steindachner, the species reaches a length of
600 millim, in the Senegal.
Labeo coubie has a wide distribution, being known from the whole Nile southwards
to the Victoria Nile, and the rivers of West Africa from the Senegal to the Niger. It
is decidedly rare in the Lower Nile, where, according to Riippell, small numbers are
brought to the Cairo market. ‘The only specimen obtained in the Lower Nile, at Beni
Souef, by Mr. Loat is accompanied by the note “a very uncommon fish”; nor is the
species represented by more than one specimen among the very numerous young Labeo
collected by him at Luxor.
The following is a list of the specimens examined by me .—
1 Cairo.—Riippell, 1831. (One of the types.)
1 Beni Souef.—Loat, 27.8.99.
1 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 11.99.
2 Assuan.—Loat, 30.9.00.
1 Abu Hoor, Nubia.—Loat, 18.1.00.
14 Near Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 11-27.3.00.
3 Hannek, Third Cataract.—Loat, 22-23.4.00.
8 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Omdurman.—Loat, 21.5.01.
1 Sennar, Blue Nile.—Loat, 22.10.01.
Zo
CYPRINID-E.
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LABEO. 173
1 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 25.2.01.
1 Gondokoro.—Petherick, 1862.
1. Gondokoro.—Loat, 3.3.02.
1 Fajao, Victoria Nile, below Murchison Falls.—Budgett, 25.4.03.
3 McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
1 Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. Christy, 1899.
1 Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
2 Abo, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
6 Agberi, 8S. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
3 R. Benue, north of Ibi.—Norton Smith, 1906.
2 Warri, Old Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
4 West Africa.
Having counted the scales and fin-rays in fifty-four specimens, I find 11 dorsal rays
occurring once only (Gambia), 12 rays twenty-six times, 13 twenty-four times, and 14
three times; 36 scales in the lateral lhne seventeen times, 37 twenty-four times, 38
nine times, 39 three times, and 40 once. ‘The shape of the dorsal fin varies very much,
but apparently according to sex, the specimens in which the fin is most convex and the
median rays longest being males; the latter are also distinguished by a comparatively
longer snout, measuring nearly half the length of the head. In the annexed table of
measurements, specimens 8 and 9, of the same total length, show the sexual differences
in the proportions, the former being a male, the latter a female.
According to Rtippell, this fish is called “ Coubie” at Cairo; according to Heckel it
bears the name of * Debs merdzian” at Assuan.
This species is easily distinguished from the two preceding by the structure of the
lips. Five perfectly distinct species have been mixed up by Dr. Giinther under the
name of Labeo coubie. Of the five non-Nilotic specimens enumerated by him in
the British Museum ‘Catalogue of Fishes,’ two from the Shiré River belong to his
LL. mesops, two from the same river to Peters’s L. altivelis, and the young from the
River Rovuma belongs to the species since described as L. gregorii, Gthr., whilst
LL. congoro, Ptrs., is included in the synonymy. On the other hand, I have failed to
detect characters by which to separate L. sedt?, of Cuvier and Valenciennes, which has
been regarded as a distinct species by writers on the Fishes of West Africa. JZ. allivelis
and L. mesops belong to the section of the genus in which the inner surface of the lips
does not bear transverse plice. In L. congoro and L. gregorii the dorsal fin is nearer
to the eye than to the root of the caudal fin, and is formed of only 11 branched rays.
L. coubie is represented in the Congo by a very close ally, Z. longipinnis, Bigr..
distinguished by the caudal peduncle being much deeper than long and the pectoral
fin reaching the root of the caudal.
174 CYPRINIDZ.
4. LABEO VICTORIANUS.
(Plate XXXII. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii. p. 159.
Labeo forskalu (non Riippell), Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 78.
Body compressed, its depth equal to or a little greater than the length of the head
and contained four to four and three-fourths times in the total length. Head about
once and a half or once and two-thirds as long as broad; snout rounded, with small
horny warts in the adult, its length about one-third to two-fifths that of the head;
eye perfectly lateral, in the middle or a little anterior to the middle of the head,
its diameter five (young) to six and two-thirds times in the length of the head ;
interorbital width one-half to three-fifths the length of the head; mouth strongly
arched, its width about one-third to two-fifths the length of the head; lips not
distinctly fringed on the edge, with small papille forming transverse plice on the
inner side; rostral flap moderately large, with entire edge; a minute barbel in the
corner of the mouth, hidden under the folds of the mouth. Dorsal fin composed of
IIT 9-10 rays, equally distant from the end of the snout and the root of the caudal,
or a little nearer the latter, its upper edge strongly concave, the last simple ray
longest and nearly as long as the head. Anal fin with III 5 rays, with straight or
notched border, its longest ray two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head, not
reaching the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin subfalciform, three-fourths or nearly as
long as the head, not reaching the ventral, the first ray of which falls below the fourth
or fifth branched ray of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply emarginate, crescentic when
fully spread out. Caudal peduncle about once and a half as longasdeep. Scales finely
striated longitudinally, 58-39 as, 41_5 between the lateral line and the base of the
ventral, 16 or 18 round the caudal peduncle.
Colours in life olive or dark steel-grey above, whitish beneath ; fins greyish, dorsal
sometimes yellow at the base, dorsal, anal, and ventral sometimes tinged with orange ;
a more or less distinct black spot behind the upper part of the gill-cover.
Total length 325 millimetres.
This species inhabits Lake Victoria. The first specimens brought to the Berlin
Museum by the late Dr. G. A. Fischer were referred by Hilgendorf to L. forskalii *.
The following specimens have been examined by me :—
3 L. Victoria—Sir Harry Johnston, 1900. (Types.)
1 L. Victoria.—Dr. G. A. Fischer, 1884 (Berlin Museum).
* One of which has been sent to me on loan by my regretted colleague Prof. Hilgendorf.
LABEO. sees
Near Entebbe.—Mrs. E. A. Minchin, 21.9.05.
Hntebbe.—Degen, 11.10.05.
Kimmi Id.—Degen, 7.9.05.
20 Bunjako.—Degen, 5—-14.11.05.
SoS
Of these twenty-seven specimens, fourteen have 9 branched rays in the dorsal fin,
thirteen have 10.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
| ] 2 3 4 dD. 6 7 8
| Total length (without candal) .......... 0.60... eee. 300 (265 |245 |215 200 |150 |1238 |105
| Garcatesh depia 22.6 YS ety =. te eee ee wee. | 77 | 58 | 60 | 55 | 48 | 84 | 29 | 27
| Leneth-of bend :s.toaiiG oni ee Ee Se aa eee 63 55 | 52 | 44 | 40 | 30 | 29 | 24
| Widgnoor eats Aste cd ee oe ov ees Oe eee aoe oo | OU 20 MLO eek
iSrigth OF eine Coy woe ava nee ire ae eth we Ey een tan eer eee eg ee led el ete)
Diameter Gl 6ms- 5 a ve “te ace ae ee a OE PSS a Bs AG Oa ol
| iaterarbita width 242534 oa ey eer ee ee Ns BO AP B04 2 22 20) aoa Le
PWG oh moult Gees eee ard 22 | 22) 20) 15 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 11
Loupesteray or gered) qe ceca pee ey fey ae ones 61 | 57 | 52 | 45 | 42 | 80 | 27 | 22
Sena ia one Serge eae 40 39 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 22 | 21 | 15
| Lictiehi- OF Dacvots ens en aay ei u yaa Se ako Caen nee of 1.00.) O07 SS8- 4k 27 27 121
| Nomber of branched rays in dorsal................05.- LO EO EO ibe hs Oe
| S Sages ma laterally oo en) tnt pare Boe ates BB 12 Os BO 00-5 oOo | BBs oo
hi ,», in transverse line above lateral line ....| 63 63) 63) 63] 62| 62) 64) 62
a . a i. below lateral line ....| 83) 84) 82 84, V4} 84) 72 74
zn », between lateral line and ventral ...... 9/ 5| 5| 5| 44) 5; 44 42
ss a7: Downd. candabpedunele i 2644 2.4% Ass 16-16. 164° Te) 46 |-48-) 16-18
1. Entebbe.—Mrs. Minchin. 4,6,38. Bunjako.—Degen.
2. Kimmi Id.—Degen. 7. LL. Victoria.—G. A. Fischer.
3,5. L. Victoria.—Sir H. Johnston. (Types.)
L. victorianus agrees with the preceding species in the perfectly lateral position of
the eyes, with L. forskalii in the shape of the body, the fins, and the scales, but the
snout is shorter in proportion to the postocular part of the head,
176 CYPRINIDA.
L. victorianus fuelleborni, Hilgendorf & Pappenheim, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berlin,
1903, p. 268, from Lake Rukwa, should probably be regarded as a distinct species,
having a straight-edged dorsal fin in the adult, the caudal peduncle not or but slightly
longer than deep, and only 36 scales in the lateral line.
5. LABEO FORSKALII.
(Plate X XVII. fie. 2 and Plate XXXII. fig. 3.)
Cyprinus niloticus, var. b, Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 71 (1775).
Labeo forskalu, Rippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 18, pl. iii. fig. 1 (1835) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes,
Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 343 (1842) ; Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. ili. p. 301, pl. xx. fig. 2
(1846).
Labeo forskalu, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 50 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 260 (1869).
Body more or less compressed, its greatest depth three and one-third to four and
one-fourth times in the total length. Head four to five times in the total length, its
width two-thirds to four-fifths its length ; snout rounded, strongly projecting, more or
less swollen, often with a more or less distinct curved transverse groove above, its
length about half, or a little more than half, the length of the head; eye small,
supero-lateral, entirely or nearly entirely visible from above, its diameter five anda
half to eight times in the length of the head (four or five times in the very young) ;
interorbital width two-fifths to one-half the length of the head; mouth strongly arched,
its width two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the head ; lips strongly developed, the
upper straight-edged, the lower more or less expanded and bordered in front by a
fringe of papille, the posterior border being more or less distinctly festooned ; inner
surface of lips with small papille forming numerous transverse plice; rostral flap
large, completely detached at the sides, its edge entire or more or less distinctly
festooned ; a minute barbeil in the corner of the mouth, concealed under the folds of
the skin*; horny tubercles on the snout, or their crater-like scars, much developed
in the adult, more so in the males than in the females. Dorsal fin composed of
III 10 (rarely 9 or 11) rays, equally distant from the end of the snout or the nostrils
and the root of the caudal fin, its upper edge concave, the last simple ray and the first
branched ray more or less produced in the males; except in very young and certain
female specimens, the longest rays more or less considerably exceed the length of the
head. Anal fin with III 5 rays, falcate, shorter than the head, often reaching, when
folded, the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin broad, more or less distinctly falcate,
nearly as long as the head, not reaching the ventral, the first ray of which falls below
the fourth or fifth branched ray of the dorsal. Caudal fin very deeply emarginate,
* A minute anterior barbel is present in three very young specimens obtained at Luxor by Mr. Loat.
LABEO. rie
crescentic when fully spread out. Caudal peduncle once and one-fourth to once
and a half as long as deep. Scales zuiely striated longitudinally, more or less rugose
with granules in the centre, 38—42 =u gi 4-5 between the lateral line and the ventral,
16 (rarely 18) round the caudal peduncle.
Females, which appear to be much scarcer than males, differ in the lesser
development of the horny tubercles on the snout and in the shorter anterior rays of
the dorsal and anal fins, as may be seen by reference to the table of measurements
here given, specimens of the same total length being compared in columns 4 (4) and
5 (2), and 7(¢) and 8(@).
A coloured sketch made at Assuan by Mr. Loat represents the fish as dark olive
above and on the sides, white beneath ; the scales on the sides pink in the centre ; the
fins dark grey. ‘The first ray of the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins often yellowish.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 360 millimetres.
Out of one hundred and six specimens examined, only four (two from Cairo and
two from Didessa R.) have 9 branched rays in the dorsal, and two (Luxor and
Didessa R.) have 11. 38 scales in the lateral line occurs eleven times, 39 scales
twenty-four times, 40 scales thirty times, 41 scales thirty-seven times, and 42 scales
four times.
The following material has been at my disposal :—
Lower Nile.—S. 8S. Allen, 1862.
Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12-14.7.99.
Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 28- De Niak oar oie
Nile near Cairo (bought in fish-b azar). —Loat, 3.99.
Wasta.—Loat, 28.8.99. :
18 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 10-11.99.
2 Assuan.—Loat, 3.1.00.
5 Korosko, Nubia.—Loat, 26.1.00.
36 Wady Halfa.—Loat, 21-22.2.00.
2 Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 26.3.00.
District of Third Cataract, a few miles north of Hannek. Ese 22.4.00,
1
1 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1
1
rt © HB Cc pe
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 5.10.01.
Sennar, Blue Nile.—Loat, 22.10.01.
115 Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Loat, 28.10.01-1.11.01.
12 Didessa R., Guma, 1500 m.—Zaphiro, 10.5.05.:
Juju R., affluent of Didessa R., Guma, 2000 m.—Zaphiro, 5.5.05.
Labeo forskalii is, at present, only known from the Nile proper and the Blue Nile
and its upper tributaries. The various references to it from the Victoria Nyanza and
various parts of East Africa are based, so far as I have been able to ascertain, on forms
such as L. victorianus, Bler., L. cylindricus, Peters, and L. kirkii, Blgr., which, though
2A
CYPRINIDA.
178
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onal Ea sls |
YIpia [e}Iq1o10quy
eAd Jo JoyouvIT
qnous jo q4cuery
"% peoy JO 4IPIM.
** peey jo qy0UeT |
** yydep 4soqzvery
ce 66
|
|
|
LABEO. 179
very closely allied to ZL. forskalii,1 deem advisable to keep distinct, for the present
at least. |
First observed at Cairo by Forsk&l and rediscovered there by Riippell, and at
Assuan by Kotschy, the species has been reported from Khartum by Giinther and
obtained all along the Nile down to its mouths, and also in the Blue Nile, by
Mr. Loat.
Mr. Loat describes this fish as “Of universal distribution between Kafr-el-Zayat,
Samannud, and Halfa. It is taken in the Bahr Yusuf in the Fayum. I found it
common at Halfa. It is generally fairly numerous where there are rocks and stones
in the river, and the fishermen say it eats the algee which adhere to the rocks and
stones, a statement supported by an examination of the contents of the intestines,
which are generally full of semi-liquid matter of a dark brownish colour. I was told
that at Kafr-el-Zayat, about seventeen years ago, great numbers of this fish were caught
in one year, and that since that time it has never again been plentiful.”
Males with their nuptial tubercles, and females full of spawn, occur at Wady Halfa
in February. |
Rippell says this species is confounded with Labeo coubie by the Cairo fishermen.
According to Heckel, the native name at Assuan is Debs el Hadziar. ‘The following
list of native names has been drawn up by Mr. Loat:—* Rhoubea” (sa2), at Kafr-el-
Zayat, Samannud, Cairo, Barrage N. of Cairo, Beni-Souef; ‘“hor'rear” (d=), in
Upper Egypt (Assuan and district); “gariya” (a>), in the Fayum; “ labissa
rhoubea”’ (asst kmh), a name also applied to this fish at Samannud ; * /ids-el-hagerea”’
Cee at Assiut; “kullu goré” (s5 =) between Shellal and Korosko ;
‘“ kiddegoré” (3S css) and “ dups-el-hager ” Cae at Wady Halia; “ dups-el-
nusrane” (_3\yab) wo), at Assuan.
As stated above, I am now satisfied that the various records of the occurrence of this
fish in East Africa are based on closely allied species, especially L. cylindricus, Peters,
first described from Mozambique by Peters, and since from Abyssinia and British East
Africa, under the names of Tylognathus cantini, Sauvage, and Tylognathus montanus,
Giinther *, It has also been found in L. Tanganyika. JL. cylindricus may be said to
merge gradually into L. forskalii and to exhibit great variability in its characters ;
but the eye is usually proportionally not quite so small (four to seven times in length
59-65
ities
:), and the branched dorsal rays
65 [iy
of head). the scales are usually fewer (35-39
=~
number more frequently 9 than 10, and occasionally as few as 8.
* For the full synonymy, cf. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1908, p. 361. Hilgendorf, in a posthumous
paper (Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii, 1905, p. 413), demurs to this separation, but his remarks on the proportions
of the eye to the head are of little importance in view of the very young age of the specimens (23 to 79
millims. total length) on which they are based.
Book f2
180 CYPRINIDZA.
2. DISCOGNATHUS.
Heckel, Russegger’s Reise, i. pt. ii. p. 1027 (1843) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 68 (1868).
Body moderately or feebly compressed, covered with moderately large scales.
Lateral line equally distant from the back and from the belly. Mouth inferior,
transverse, crescent-shaped, protractile, sharp-edged, with more or less developed lips;
a more or less developed suctorial disk on the chin, usually bordered by the lower
labial fold; one or two barbels on each side. Suborbitals not covering the cheek.
Gill-openings restricted to the sides. Dorsal fin with 9 to 11 rays, 7 or 8 of which
are branched, originating in advance of the ventrals. Anal fin short, with 7 rays.
Pectoral fins horizontal. A scaly process at the base of the ventral fins. Pharyngeal
teeth in three series (2 or 3,3 or 4,4 or 5—d or 4, 4 or 3,3 or 2), with hooked,
spoon-shaped crowns.
Aberrant Cyprinine adapted for living in torrents and mountain rivers. The
mental disk by which they are enabled to fasten themselves to stones varies greatly
in its degree of development, and is so reduced in some specimens of the species
described below as JD. quadrimaculatus as to be almost indistinguishable. Such
specimens might be referred to the genus Crossochilus, Van Hasselt, were it not for
the more reduced gill-openings, which do not extend to the lower surface of the head,
the isthmus being much broader than in the related genera.
The scales are smooth, with more or less distinct concentric strie. 16 to 18 rays in
the pectoral fins, and 10 (8 branched) in the ventrals. Gjull-rakers short and few.
The skeleton is very similar to that of Ladeo, but the premaxillaries emit short
ascending processes, the posterior edge of the mandible is raised into a process at the
symphysis, and the clavicles do not form a diaphragm. ‘The vertebre number 34 to
39 in the four skeletons examined, viz. :—
D. lamta . 20+ 14= 34
D. blanfordu 22+14=36
D. dembeensis 22+17=39
D. quadrimaculatus 22-17 = 39
Heckel * has described the pharyngeal teeth as “ Dentes aggregati (Pilasterzahne),”
same as in Labeo, but I find them, in the several specimens examined, to stand well
apart from each other, and to be undistinguishable from the ‘* Dentes cochleariformes
(Loffelzahne)” of Barbus. ‘The intestinal canal is very long and forms numerous
convolutions ; it measures six to nine times the length of the fish.
* Tc. p. 1010,
DISCOGNATHUS. 181
Twelve or thirteen species of Discognathus appear to be properly established—seven
or eight from North-east Africa * and five from Southern Asia, the range of distribution
of the genus in the latter part of the world extending from Syria and Arabia to the
Himalayas, Burma, and Southern China. The Asiatic species are much in need
of revision.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Pupil of the eye in the second half of the length of the head ; barbels not more than half the
diameter of the eye ; caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and a half as long as deep ;
scales in the lateral line 36 to 40.
Snout projecting strongly beyond the mouth, the width of
which is less than half the length of the head ; upper
lip well developed, with a series of papillae forming a
fringe yee Se a ee ee eee 1. D. dembeensis, Riipp.
Snout projecting feebly beyond the mouth, the width of
which equals half the length of the head; upper lip
scarcely developed, not fringed. . . . . . . . . 2 D.gohnstonu, Blgr.
II.. Pupil of the eye in the middle, or anterior to the middle, of the length of the head ; barbels
one-half to four-fifths the diameter of the eye ; upper lip well developed, fringed.
Mental disk well developed, with free posterior border formed
by the lower lip; caudal peduncle as long as deep;
50 to 38:séales-in the lateral limé =<. 4- #245 2) eae On De eimeiquerne, bier,
Mental disk small, often very indistinct, or reduced to a mere
pad, without or with a very slight free posterior border ;
caudal peduncle about once and a half as long as deep ;
37 to 42 scales in the lateralline . . . . . . « . 4. D. quadrimaculatus, Riipp.
1. DISCOGNATHUS DEMBEENSIS.
(Plate XLVIII. fig. 1.)
Chondrostoma dembeensis, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 16, pl. ii. fig. 4 (1837).
Gymnostomus ? dembeensis, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. ii. p. 329 (1846).
Inscognathus dembeensis, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xi. 1903, p. 54.
Body feebly compressed, its depth four and two-thirds to six and a half times in the
totallength. Head moderately depressed, once and one-fourth to once anda half as long
* A key to the determination of the six species then known from Africa has been given by me in Proc.
Zool. Soc. 1903, i. p. 8331. Two species have since been added: D. hindi, Blgr., 1905, and D. rothschildi,
Pellegr., 1905, the former from the Kenya district, the latter from the Gota River (Hawash system).
182 CYPRINIDA.
as broad, its length four and one-fourth to five times in the total length; snout rounded,
interorbital region nearly flat; eye supero-lateral, in the second half of the head, its
diameter four (young) to seven times in the length of the head and about twice
to three times in the interorbital width; width of the mouth two-fifths to one-half
the length of the head; lips covered with granular papille, the upper well. developed,
bordered by large papille forming a fringe; lower lip forming a fold embracing
a mental disk, which is broader than long; two small barbels on each side, not
measuring more than half the diameter of the eye. Dorsal with 10 rays, 7 of which
are branched, equally distant from the nostrils or the anterior border of the eye and from
the root of the caudal; first branched ray longest, as long as ora little shorter than the
head ; border of the fin notched. Anal fin with II 5 rays, first branched ray longest,
two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head. Pectoral as long as ora little
shorter than the head, widely separated from the ventral, which is situated below the
posterior half of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply emarginate. Caudal peduncle once
and one-third to once and a half as long as deep. Scales 36-40 = 3 or 4 between
the lateral line and the root of the caudal, 16 or 18 round the caudal peduncle.
Breeding males have the snout studded with numerous conical horny tubercles.
A coloured sketch made from a fresh specimen shows the fish to have been dark
olive-green above, greenish yellow beneath; a bright orange spot on the opercular
border, followed by a black spot on the shoulder; dorsal, ventral, and anal fins
yellowish at the base, purplish grey in the distal half, with the tips of the anterior rays
orange; a series of round black spots on the dorsal near its base; pectoral fins dark
purple, yellow at the base; some pink on the caudal; iris bright orange.
Mr. Zaphiro, in his notes, describes the fish as olive or olive-brown, with a red spot
on each side of the head and small blue spots near it. Iris black and white, with
a red line above,
Total length 160 millimetres.
This species was originally described by Riippell under the name Chondrostoma
dembeensis from a single specimen obtained by him at Goraza, Lake Tsana (also
known as Lake Dembea). Specimens were obtained from the same lake by Mr. E. Degen,
and the British Museum has also received the same fish from various localities in
Gallaland (Blue Nile and Omo systems) and from Mount Kilimanjaro.
List of specimens examined :—
be
Bahardar, L. T'sana, Abyssinia.— Degen, 4.6.02.
Metti R., affluent of Gudar R., Gallaland.—Zaphiro, 22.4.05.
Didessa R., Guma, 1500 m.—Zaphiro, 5.5.05.
Juju R., affluent of Didessa R., Guma, 2000 m.— Zaphiro, 10.5.05.
10 Gibe R., Omo system, Sayo, 2800. m.—Zaphiro, 29.4.05.
Nairobi R., Kilimanjaro, 2000 m.—A. B. Percival, 1902.
bo &
os
OF
DISCOGNATHUS., 188
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of scales in the lateral line.
1 y 3 4 5. 6 7 8 |
SNOUEEODGUDS xcs eis cece = ly cer we See ee 142 |120 | 85 | 82 | 75 | 60 |. 58 | 56 |
GverearGeplhna bac mene Bae es ee 24] 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
PONS Ok ENE ae Py ORG eee De Re ee eee eee 29 | 24; 19; 18 | 16 | 14; 138) 18 |
Width of head ....... NOP eoert Lancers See ee Oo 147-14 | 1449 | 10 oes
Lenpth: of Snot. ja%0) se Sint RES ees gee py ee ae Dae PO eae 2 el Oe 6
Pamelernesl Ove faeces a ee cee ee ee ee 4) 4) 4) 4) 32 34-3753
EnEOPOr Otel Seite 2) cece re ee wee ae ee Ta see, | 74, 6 | 64) 6
Width-oLiioulh 2 sea eee ee en ee erate A a oe ao eae | 5
| Longest tay ail UO ett. eae Nee Been oan eee Soe 1617 13 13 | 12 | 18
é yb EL os, ee. ee ee oe e642 oe) TOs a1 0 hp
RONG c OF peeCtOlal aya ee teens acy oe ee ea as ee 2o ao (30 fat | tei lee de
Niimberof seales-in lateral litte. 0% oa, a i S040 AU eae oe eee ag | 38
1. Metti R., Gudar.—Zaphiro. 3,4, 6,8. Bahardar, L. Tsana.—Degen.
2, Gibe R., Omo.—Zaphiro. 5, 7. Nairobi R., Kilimanjaro.—Percival.
A closely allied Abyssinian and Erythrean species, which has not been found in the
Nile system, is D. blanfordii, Blgr., differing in the more anterior position of the eyes,
the longer barbels, and the generally lower number of scales in the lateral line,
viz. 33 to 87. D. makiensis, Blgr., from Southern Ethiopia, also differs in the more
anterior position of the eyes and the longer barbels; the scales in the lateral line
number 38 to 40. WD. rothschildi, Pellegr., from the Gota River (Hawash system)
which is only known to me frum the description, appears to agree so closely with
D. dembeensis that I entertain doubts as to its validity as a species; however, it
appears to have a higher dorsal fin, its first branched ray being described as a little
longer than the head.
?
184 CYPRINID ZA.
2. DISCOGNATHUS JOHNSTONII.
(Plate XXXII. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii. p. 159.
Body feebly compressed, its depth equal to the length of the head and contained
five times in the total length. Head moderately depressed, once and one-third as long
as broad, with rounded, feebly projecting snout and nearly flat interorbital region ;
eye supero-lateral, in the second half of the head, its diameter four and two-thirds
times in the length of the head, twice and one-fourth in the interorbital width ; width of
the mouth half the length of the head; upper lip feebly developed, not fringed; lower
lip embracing a mental disk, which is much broader than long ; two minute barbels on
each side, not measuring half the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with 10 rays, 7 of
which are branched, equally distant from the nostrils and from the root of the caudal ;
first branched ray longest, two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with IT 5 rays,
first branched ray Icngest, three-fifths the length of the head. Pectoral fin four-fifths
the length of the head, widely separated from the ventral, which is situated below the
posterior half of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply emarginate. Caudal peduncle once and
one-third as long as deep. Scales 38 a, 4. between the lateral line and the root of the
ventral, 16 round the caudal peduncle.
Upper parts and fins blackish olive ; labial, gular, and pectoral regions yellowish white,
belly brown; two round deep black spots on the dorsal fin, in the middle of its base.
The single specimen on which this species is established is 110 millimetres long;
the following are its principal measurements. No traces of tubercles are to be seen on
the head.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Potat-length-(witheul Ghadal). 4 eos SS 3) is Sie 4100
Gwen lost depth ol body a6 age as caine nis a Boe sca ey ith’ 20
BiCn@Dl OL NGG cen eis des oe RS oy tee eh 3 21
SIGUE 01 7 Ps a eG Pe sree ear es eee 16
Tp OMiee MOEN Sakura card Sane SES tee ah og eR ag tu as 10
Douce Siege) Cee aoe he onan ct ge et Se CP By Gee 4t
Pinte Ro Peita Remade nk a ole NES EE 10
i eneOl Louth a ea Sate ena eo oe" lade ill aan te 104
DiGniBesiimy Or OlSAy ts. H ge asa) leet eal Sale ge a Pet 14
it Ppa isa tes Sipe eee kee Py Oe GB Saar 33% c esate 12
Heer Or Oe eioiae TG we Sars flue iar cat ean 16
We are indebted to the untiring zeal of Sir Harry Johnston for the discovery of this
fish in Lake Victoria; the single specimen was collected by the late Mr. Doggett.
DISCOGNATHUS. 1895
Discognathus johnstonii is a very close ally of the preceding species, differing in
the less projecting snout, the broader mouth, and the less developed upper lip devoid
of a fringe.
A specimen 85 millim. long, obtained by Mr. A. B. Percival in the Nairobi River,
Kilimanjaro, at an altitude of about 6000 feet, with specimens of D. dembeensis,
agrees very closely with the Lake Victoria specimen, and probably belongs to the
same species.
3. DISCOGNATHUS VINCIGUERRA.
(Plate XX XT. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Sec. 1901, ii. p. 160.
Body feebly compressed, its depth four and a half to five and a half times in the
total length. Head moderately depressed, once and a half as long as broad, measuring
one-fourth the total length ; snout rounded ; interorbital region nearly flat, its width not
quite half the length of the head; eye lateral, but better visible from above than from
below, in the middle of the length of the head, its diameter three and a half times in
the length of the head and once and two-thirds in the interorbital width ; width of the
mouth about one-third the length of the head; upper lip well developed, bordered by
papille forming a fringe; lower lip forming a mental disk, which is about as long as
broad ; two barbels on each side, measuring three-fifths the diameter of the eye.
Dorsal fin with 10 rays, 7 of which are branched, equally distant from the centre or the
posterior border of the eye and from the root of the caudal; first branched ray longest,
as longasthe head. Anal fin with IL 6 rays, first branched ray longest, about two-thirds
the length of the head. Pectoral fin nearly as long as the head, widely separated from
the ventral, which is situated below the posterior half of the mnie Caudal fin deeply
emarginate, Caudal peduncle as long as deep. Scales 35-38 | a, 3 or 34 between the
lateral line and the root of the ventral, 16 round the caudal peduncle.
Yellowish, the scales on the back and sides finely speckled with brown, especially
towards the border; a dark brown rhomboidal spot or vertical bar on the caudal
peduncle near the base of the caudal, and a more or less distinct dark bar on the base
of the fin; fins whitish, transparent.
Total length 43 millimetres.
Six specimens were obtained in April 1900 by Mr. Loat in a pond left by the Nile
in the Third Cataract country about three miles north of Kermeh. The species did
not turn up again until two more specimens were found at Kaka, in the White Nile,
on April 17th, L901.
D, vinciquerre, named after the distinguished Italian ichthyologist, Prof. D. Vinci-
guerra, who has much contributed to our knowledge of the fishes of North-east Africa,
2B
186 CYPRINIDZ.
differs from the two preceding species in the more anterior position of the eyes, which
are larger, the longer barbels, and the shorter caudal peduncle; from D. blanfordii in
the larger eyes.
Measurements (in millimetres).
frora by enon eGwituouteaudal\ur mi-ldani Ss aoe Te Se hater os oe
Greatest depth of body 7
Length of head . Sear re at aA ee bg cat See Dees ae 5,
Vuh OL AiGaeL Meee 7) Wee tee ge ee Sarat IP Ee tt iE
Length of snout | 3
DTM OLET OOO Aan - Gms Sia aes ok eRe ee Gs eee 24
Interorbital width . 4
Width of mouth irs, aaNet 3
dee viOeGWeig OPN Otaten a eae te ne Se gg goa 9
— oh SELES 6
8
Length of pectoral
4. DISCOGNATHUS QUADRIMACULATUS.
(Plate XXXI. fig. 5.)
Gobio quadrimaculatus, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 22, pl. i. fig. 3 (18387).
? Gobio hirticeps, Riippell, t.c. p. 23, pl. il. fig. 4.
? Discognathus hirticeps, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. ii. p. 329 (1846).
Discognathus quadrimaculatus, Heckel, 1. c.; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1903, ii. p. 330.
Barbus quadrimaculatus, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 98 (1868).
Dniscognathus carinii, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, xviii. 1883, p. 696, fig., and xxix. 1898,
p. 209.
Crossochilus quadrimaculatus, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 422.
Body teebly compressed, its depth equal to or a little less than the length of the
head, which is contained four to five timesin the total length. Head slightly depressed,
once and one-third to once and three-fifths as long as broad, with rounded snout and
nearly flat interorbital region ; eye supero-lateral, in the middle of the length of the
head, its diameter four (young) to six times in the length of the head, once and three-
fifths to twice and a half in the interorbital width; width of the mouth nearly half the
length of the head ; upper lip well developed, bordered by papill forming a fringe ;
lower lip usually confined to the sides, the mental disk merely indicated by a swelling
of the integument; this disk, which may be very indistinct, not broader than long ;
without or with a very feeble free border; two barbels on each side, measuring one-
half to four-fifths the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with 9 or 10 rays, 7 of which are
branched, equally distant from the centre or the posterior border of the eye and from
DISCOGNATHUS. 187
the root of the caudal; first branched ray longest, a little shorter than the head. Anal
fin with II 5 rays, first branched ray longest, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
head. Pectoral fin as long as or a little shorter than the head, widely separated from
the ventral, which is situated below the posterior half of the dorsal. Caudal fin
deeply emarginate. Caudal peduncle about once and a half as long as deep. Scales
—3f-42 a, 3 or 4 between the lateral line and the root of the ventral, 16 or 18 round
the caudal peduncle.
Brown or olive, somewhat lighter below, the lower surface of the head yellowish;
usually a small black spot behind the gill-opening; a more or less distinct dark spot or
blotch on the caudal peduncle, separated from the caudal fin by a yellowish bar; fins
dusky, the dorsal lighter at the base, which usually bears two to four black spots.
Total length 118 millimetres.
The numerous specimens brought home by Mr. Degen from Lake Tsana were
obtained in May and June, probably outside the breeding-season, since not one of
them shows the conical horny warts which were found on the snout of the male
specimen on which Ritppell founded his Godio hirticeps. According to this author,
the fish is found in great numbers in all running streams of Abyssinia; but it is
not improbable that he has confounded with it the form for which I have proposed the
vame of D. blanfordii, from which Riippell’s species has already been separated by
Dr. Vinciguerra, who described as D. chiarinvt small specimens from Lake Arsadé, in ©
the Adda-Galla country south of Shoa. This little circular lake, situated at an altitude
of about 7000 feet, as well as others close by, of which the largest is L. Cialaka, is very
deep and almost completely deprived of mollusks, but two small fish were found in it,
viz. this Discognathus and the Cyprinodont Haplochilus antinori *. ‘The species has
also been found in other localities near Addis Abeba, in Lake Zwai, in Lake Abaia,
and in the Bisan-Gurracia, a tributary of the Sagan, south of Lake Abaia.
The specimens examined by me are as follows :—
9 Zegi, Lake Tsana.— Degen, 13.5.02.
30 Bahardar, Lake Tsana.—Degen, 4.6.02.
3 Lake Arsadé, Adda Gallaland.—Marquis O. Antinori, 1881. (Types of Discognathus chiarinii,
Vinciguerra. )
43 Lake Zwai, Arushi Gallaland.—Zaphiro, 5.12.04—-15.1.05.
2 Akaki River, affluent of the Hawash.—Zaphiro, 30.1.05.
10 Suksuk River, affluent of the Hawash—Neumann & Erlanger, 12.00.
4. Gadschimboda River, affluent of the Hawash.—Neumann & Hrlanger, 12.6.00.
1 Lake Abaia.—Baron Maurice de Rothschild, 1905.
* Of. Antinori, Boll. Soc. Geogr. Ital. xviii, 1881, p. 596.
+ Cf. Pellegrin, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1905, p. 291.
CYPRINIDA.
188
‘OUNTy—purryyey Ppesry TE “eT
| | | | pe | cect
‘PIosqjoy—"ereqy "T “TT
Bee Ore Ni tae a ieee | o en lier ek cts acdc. |e ee
L L OR gies lek Tend 0 Uae | ane tee boy,
Or Naar 9 6 6 alan perc eal eal
L 8 6 sora ea ae ST cee
g g P ¢ G G 9 ¢
P Th ee | ee be 9 L i
PG eG age PS g Gant eee 7 f
Fon ee eee g g | #g¢ 9
tg 9 8 8 6 a etek Wag on 0
6 6 Ghee SENT Merde | ee ie a laa
8 8 PE OTE Se ho Rey bo peeer waren ey
12 NM aes Se a UE cea et SCR BG Ug Nu a
"I GL TI ‘OT 6 "8 ‘L 9
Le)
‘ussoq@——"Buesy, ‘ry ‘teprvyvg ‘zt ‘oT ‘8 ‘2 ‘9 “GF
| ‘uesoq7—vursy, "7 ‘i807 "6 ‘
omydez—ieag "T° ‘T
‘says JO saguinu pun (seTjoUTT[IU UL) szuamaunsnaT
OUI] [B19}V] UI so[Vos Jo JoquINn Ny
[eroyoed Jo yAcuery
[vsiop Jo Avr ysodu0'T
9 ian He aed ofc
YIPIM [eq1q10.109UT
ese JO tejomvig
a jo YyouoryT
ee ok S84. JO WIPE
"* peey Jo yyeuery
** yydop qsoqzverg
([epnvo qnoyyim) qySuUdT [eIO7,
DISCOGNATHUS. 189
In the absence or the feeble development of a fold bordering the mental disk, which
may be very indistinct, this species differs from all its congeners. Some specimens, as
stated above (p. 180), approach very closely to the condition of things in the Asiatic
genus Crossochilus, whilst others show more agreement with the typical Discognathus.
The amount of variation in this respect is well shown by the large series of specimens
collected in Lake Zwai by Mr. Zaphiro and presented to the British Museum by
Mr. W. N. McMillan.
190 CYPRINIDA.
3d. VARICORHINUS.
Varicorhinus, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 21 (1837).
Capoéta, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 278 (1842); Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 77
(1868) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 220 (1901).
Chondrostoma, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvii. p. 881 (1844).
Dillonia, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 285 (1846).
Gymnostomus, part., Heckel, t. c. p. 287.
Pterocapoéta, Giinther, Novit. Zool. ix. 1902, p. 446.
Body strongly compressed, covered with small, moderate, or large scales. Lateral
line nearer the belly than the back, but running along the middle of the caudal
peduncle. Mouth large, inferior, transverse, feebly protractile, without lips, the upper
jaw partly covered by a rostral fold, the lower completely exposed and showing a sharp
cutting-edge covered with a horny layer; barbels present or absent. Suborbitals not
covering the cheek. Dorsal fin with or without ossified ray, with 11 to 14 rays, 8 to 11
of which are branched. Anal fin short, with 7 or 8 rays. Pharyngeal teeth in three
series (2, 3, 4 or 0—6 or 4, 3, 2), with spoon-shaped crowns, which may be close together
as in Labeo or more wide apart as in Barbus.
This genus may be regarded as nearly intermediate between Labeo and Barbus.
It is well distinguished from the first by the absence of lips, whilst the buccal character
distinguishes it less sharply from the second, owing to the existence of certain
annectant African and Syrian species, which have been referred either to Barbus or
to Capoéta. The Cyprinus capoéta of Giildenstidt, or C. fundulus of Pallas, agrees,
however, in all essential characters with Vartcorhinus beso, and as this Asiatic species
is the type of the genus Capoéta of Cuvier and Valenciennes, the latter name must
lapse as a synonym of the earlier name proposed by Riippell. The genus can be
divided into five sections: 1. The species with large scales, one pair of barbels, and
the last simple ray of the dorsal strong and ossified (Varicorhinus, Riipp., Dillonia,
Heck.); 2. The species with small scales, one pair of barbels, and the last simple ray
of the dorsal strong and ossified (Capoéta, C. & V.); 3. The species with large scales,
two pairs of barbels, and the last simple ray of the dorsal strong and ossified; 4. The
species with small scales, two pairs of barbels, and the last simple ray of the dorsal
strong and ossified; 5. The species with small scales, one pair of barbels, and the last
simple ray of the dorsal-feeble and flexible (Gymnostomus, Heck., Pterocapoéta, Gthr.).
The first section is represented by a single species, here described; the second is
represented in Africa by V. tanganice, Bler. (D. III 9; Sq. 68-70 a). the third
1a 15=
by V. ansorgit, Blgr. (D. LV 9; Sq. 22 Z)s from the Kwango River in Angola; and the
VARICORHINUS. TO
fifth is represented in Africa by V. maroccanus, Gthr. (D. III 10-11; Sq. 45-46 2).
The other species of the genus, about twelve in number, are from South-western Asia.
The rays of the pectoral fin vary from 17 to 19, those of the ventral fin number
10 or 11 (8 or 9 of which are branched). The gill-rakers are short and numerous
(20 to 80 on lower part of anterior arch). The pharyngeal teeth of V. beso are quite
similar to those of a Barbus, whilst those of V. maroccanus are closely packed, their
crowns forming together a triturating surface as in Labeo; in this respect V. capoéta
and V. tanganice are intermediate between the two extremes. In the specimens
examined by me there are 2, 3, 5 teeth on each side in V. beso and V. tanganice,
2, 3, 4in V. capoéta and V. maroccanus.
The skull is massive and very similar to that of Labeo; the supraorbital bone is
likewise widely separated from the postorbitals. ‘The preemaxillaries are devoid of
ascending processes, and covered to a great extent by the large maxillaries; the dentary
bones are bent at an angle and emit an upward processat the symphysis. ‘The clavicles
and coracoids are moderately developed, and do not form a diaphragm as in Labeo.
‘The number of vertebre is as follows in the three species examined :—
Vioteeo Co tar oe ee Sa ey ee eg ee ee ney
Ves COORG penta oat th Saal She Sl ear AEA a ae eee 241 +21=A48
Vs tangantems se SS oes Se a ees Ea ee et
The digestive tract is very elongate and forms numerous convolutions, as in Labeo.
Its length in V. deso is nearly ten times that of the whole fish. Horny tubercles are
present on the snout, and sometimes on the sides of the head below the eyes, in all
the species, at least, during the breeding-season.
1. VARICORHINUS BESO.
(Plate XX XIII.)
Varicorhinus beso, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. i. p. 21, pl. iii. fig. 2 (1837) ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag.
N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 422.
Chondrostoma dillonii, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvii. p. 404 (1844).
Labeo varicorhinus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 491.
Dillona dillon, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. ili. p. 285 (1846) ; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus.
Genova, xviii. 1883, p. 699.
Systomus beso, Heckel, t. c. p. 328.
Dillona abyssinica, Heckel, t. c. p. 329.
Capoeta dilloni, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 81 (1868); Blanford, Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 460 (1870).
Barbus beso, Giinther, t. c. p. 148.
Capoéta beso, Pellegrin, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1905, p. 291.
Body strongly compressed, its greatest depth three to three and a half times in total
192 CYPRINIDZ.
length. Head thick, its length four to five times in the total; snout broad, swollen,
its length two and three-fourths to three and a half times in the length of the head ;
eye supero-lateral, its diameter four (young) to six times in the length of the head;
interorbital region convex, its width twice to twice and a half in the length of the
head; mouth wide, its width as great as or a little oreater than the interorbital width ;
a minute barbel at the angle of the mouth; horny conical or subconical tubercles in
two or three series round the snout and below the eye, the largest on the sides; these
tubercles, or at least their crater-like bases, apparently always present, but more
developed in the adult than in the young. Dorsal fin with IV 9-10 rays, nearer the
occiput than the root of the caudal, origination a little in advance of the ventrals, its
border not or but slightly emarginate, sometimes even slightly convex ; last simple ray
very strong, bony, smooth, more or less curved, its bony part usually as long as or a
little shorter than the head in the young, two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the
head in the adult. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest a little shorter than the head.
Pectoral fin falciform, nearly as long as the head, not reaching the ventral. Caudal
fin deeply forked, longer than the head. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to
twice as long as deep. Scales rugose, with concentric grooves and radiating striz,
30-39 ae 2£ or 3 between lateral line and root of ventral, 12 round caudal
peduncle.
Riippell described the specimens seen by him on the Goraza market as bluish grey,
with a broad steel-blue vertical streak at the base of each scale, the blue-grey shading
into greyish yellow on the middle of the belly; all the fins bluish grey; the iris
silvery, shaded with brown. ‘This description is confirmed by a coloured sketch
made by Mr. Degen at Zegi, except that the posterior border of the scales, in the
specimen figured, is tinged with pinkish, and the fins are pinkish brown; the iris
was of a pure white. The specimen obtained at Marmasa by Mr. Degen was of
a vivid emerald-green, the iris nearly white; whilst those from the Hurso River
were of a beautiful iridescent emerald-green with bluish tinge, the fins blue-green
and the iris golden yellow. Mr. Gaphiro describes the iris as with some red and
an orange line. —
Total length 360 millimetres.
This fish was discovered by Ruppell in Lake Tsana. It was brought in great
numbers on the market at Goraza, where it bore the name of Beso. The types of
Valenciennes’s Chondrostoma dillonti are simply stated to have been obtained in the
freshwaters of Abyssinia by a young botanist, Dr. Quartin Dillon, who died from fever
during a collecting-expedition. ‘The next record is to be found in W. T. Blanford’s
work on the ‘Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia,’ in which he mentions having
preserved a skin of a fish taken in a stream at Agula (Atbara system), which was
referred, with some hesitation, to Capoéta dillonii by Dr. Gtinther. I have not found
this skin in the British Museum ; it was probably sent to the Calcutta Museum along
193
VARICORHINUS.
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26
194 CYPRINIDA.
with other wnica in the Abyssinian Collection. ‘The specimens described by Dr. Vinci-
guerra in 1883 were obtained by Marquis Antinori in the Guna-gunit torrent, S.E. of
Licce, in Shoa. Dr. Gestro, to whom I applied for information, has been unable to
trace the exact position of this torrent, but from its situation S.E. of Licce, it is probably
in the Hawash watershed.
On his journey in Abyssinia, Mr. Degen first obtained the fish in the Hurso River, a
fast-running mountain-stream in the Upper Adal country, altitude about 7000 feet ; then
at Marmasa, in the Gota River, flowing northwards from the Jebel-Ahmar Mountain,
altitude about 5000 feet. Most of the specimens brought home by Mr. Degen are
from Zegi and Bahardar, where great numbers are sold on the market, where the fish
is called Beso by the natives. Both the Hurso and the Gota Rivers are outside the
Nile water-system, draining into the Hawash. Quite lately, further specimens have
been collected by Mr. Zaphiro in the Metti River, in the Didessa River and its
affuents the Juju River and the Urgessa River, tributaries of the Blue Nile, at
altitudes of 1500 to 3500 feet.
List of specimens examined :—
we)
Zegi, L. Tsana.—Degen, 6.02.
Bahardar, L. Tsana.—Degen, 1.6.02.
——s
~~
12 Metti River, affluent of Gudar River, 3500 feet.—Zaphiro, 22.4.05.
2 Didessa River, Guma, 1500 feet.—Zaphiro, 6.5.05.
1 Juju River, affluent of Didessa River, 2000 feet.—Zaphiro, 10.5.05.
2 Urgessa River, Limmu, 2300 feet.—Zaphiro, 2.5.05.
® Hurso River, Upper Adal, 2000 feet.—-Degen, 17.1.02.
1 Marmasa, Gota River, Hawash, 1500 feet.—Degen, 21.1.02.
7 Ze Kuala, Hawash, 4100 feet—Zaphiro, 29.1.05.
Nothing is known of the habits of this curious fish.
BARBUS. 195
4. BARBUS.
Barbus, Cuvier, Régne Anim. ii. p. 197 (1817); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 122
(1842); Heckel, Russegger’s Reisen, ii. p. 1017 (1843) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 82 (1868) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 221 (1901).
Labeobarbus, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 14 (1837); Heckel, 1. c. p. 1019.
Chetlobarbus, A. Smith, Ill. Zool. S. Afr., Fishes (1841).
Pseudobarbus, A. Smith, I. ce.
Capoéta, part., Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 278.
Systomus, part., Heckel, |. c. p. 1016.
Lucobarbus, Heckel, |. c. p. 1019. 3
Puntius, Bleeker, Nat. Verh. M. Wetensch. Haarlem, xvii. 1862, p. 112.
Hinteromius, Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. (2) xiii. 1867, p. 407.
Barynotus, Ginther, t. c. p. 61.
Body more or less compressed, covered with small, moderate, or large scales.
Lateral line, if complete, usually nearer the belly than the back, but always running
along the middle of the caudal peduncle. Mouth small or moderately large, more
or less protractile, with more or less developed lips; barbels present or absent.
Suborbitals not covering the cheek. Dorsal fin with or without ossified ray,
with 10 to 14 rays, 7 to 10 of which are branched. Anal fin short, with 7 to 9 rays.
A scaly process at the base of the ventral fins. Pharyngeal teeth in three series
(2 or 3, 38, 4 or 5—o or 4, 3, 38 or 2), mostly with hooked, spoon-shaped crowns,
one or more of the anterior of the inner series often molariform or mamilliform.
The structure of the scales varies considerably according to the species. In B. bynni
and its allies the exposed surface is striated by numerous longitudinal, scarcely
radiating, straight or slightly wavy canals, visible to the naked eye or with the aid
of a magnifier of low power, whilst the centre is more or less finely rugose. In
B. macropristis and pleurogramma the striations are likewise numerous, but they
radiate fan-like from the centre, whilst in B. perince, and other small species of the
Nile system, the canals are reduced to from two to five, radiating from the centre,
the scales appearing smooth, but for the fine concentric striation which is present
on the scales of all Cyprinids. The three principal types of scales are figured on
the next page. 3
The rays of the pectoral fins vary from 15 to 18, those of the ventral fins from 9 to
10 (7 or 8 of which are branched), 3
The gill-rakers are short or moderately long, 10 to 15 in number on the lower part
2C2
196 CYPRINIDA.
of the anterior arch in B. dynni and allies, very short, knob-like, and more widely
spread, 6 to 8 in number on the lower part of the anterior arch, in B. perince and
other small species.
A. b. C.
Scales of (A) B. bynni, (B) B. pleurogramma, (C) B. perince,
from the middle of the side, enlarged.
The lower pharyngeal bones and their teeth differ little according to the species ;
the number of teeth is normally 10, viz., 5in the inner row, 3 in the median row, and
2in the outer; in one specimen of JB. leptosoma, however, there are 3 teeth in the
outer row (see Pl. XX XVII. fig. 5). The second tooth of the inner row is always the
largest, and frequently molarifurm or mamilliform. The only point calling for notice
as a specific character is the much larger size of these pharyngeal bones in B. surkis
than in the other species, a difference that may be realized by the following
measurements (in millimetres) of two adult specimens :—
B. bynni. —-B. surkis.
en fb Ob tee et fe pce gaa eee ke 92 oT
SIGE AOR | Sale (252 0 laa aaa eee Sea yee a hey 63 60
Leneth ol piaryugeal bones = a 2a ae 30 40
Greatest width of pharyngeal bones . . . . . 41 D8
The bones of which these measurements are given are figured on Pl. XX XVII.
figs. 3 & 4, as seen from above and behind.
The skull is moderately massive ; a supraorbital bone is present, but does not reach
the postorbitals ; the occipital crest 1s short and low and does not encroach on the
parietals, which bear a transverse ridge. ‘The premaxillaries have short, median
ascending processes, and the maxillaries are produced into a short posterior process.
The clavicles and coracoids are moderately developed. ‘The vertebrae vary in number
* Measured from the extremity of the symphysis to the level of the crowns of the hindermosé teeth.
BARBUS. 197
from 30 to 47 (16-26-+14~21) according to the species. The numbers in the Nilotic
species examined by me are as follows :—
PP OT nd. ek es ms oe? ORE TO gegen os re ee el
ae: affinis Pie POE NP id 2 ee ee ok yea ea Oe Meee
JB AMOLO GC AUP EM ee ee a BO
BB phtenmedsie ch. ke, BR ra Ss ee Se ae Se
Bagorguag «se Wl Re 25 eae ie eee ee ipa aes 25 LOAD
fae eo Eee 2 ee meee y, Ge) See abe eee rr 1 Sized 654
TB, HUET OS Co k= ar wre aah a ee Es oe eS eee a SS Weer te:
In B. bynni and allies the interneurals of the enlarged dorsal rays are more
strongly developed and the preceding interneurals form a continuous series to the
occipital crest, whilst in B. perince a wide gap separates the occiput from the first
interneurals.
The digestive tract is usually longer than the whole fish, either a little, as in
B. perince and other small species *, or very much, as in B. bynni and most of its near
allies, in which it measures once and two-thirds to twice the total length, and in
B. intermedius, in which its length, in the adult, may be as much as three or four
times the total length.
The fishes of this genus have a mixed diet, either the animal or the vegetable food
predominating, according to the greater or less elongation of the intestine. External
sexual differences are not marked in any of the species with which we have to deal
in this work.
As to the changes which take place with age, it should be pointed out that the
barbels and the rays of the anal fin are proportionally shorter, whilst the last simple
ray of the dorsal fin is longer, in the young than in the adult; these changes have
been duly considered in drawing up the following synopsis.
In measuring the length of the caudal peduncle, the muscular part of the tail only
is reckoned, whilst at least one vertical series of scales covers the base of the
caudal fin.
The genus Barbus comprises some 300 species, distributed over Europe, Asia, and
Africa. The greater number are from South-eastern Asia; about 130 are African.
This multitude of forms has been divided into a number of sections, which are so
completely linked together as to preclude their being properly raised to generic rank.
The first section to be mentioned, because it includes the type of the genus, the
Cyprinus barbus of Linneus (Sarbus vulgaris, Cuv.), is characterized by a dorsal fin
with the last simple ray bony and serrated, 5 branched rays in the anal fin, four barbels,
and small scales (more than 40 in the lateral line), the exposed portion of which is
* As pointed out by Peters in 1868 (Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 52),in some of the small Barbels, such as
B. paludinosus, the digestive tract may be even a little shorter than the fish, thus showing the fallacy of a
division into Macroentert and Brachyentert. 3
198 CYPRINID.”.
provided with numerous longitudinal canals forming strie of a somewhat fan-shaped
arrangement, It is represented by four species in North-west Africa (B. callensis,
C.& V., B. setivimensis, C. & V., B. ksibi, Bler., b. nasus, Gthr.) and by one in South
Africa (B. serra, Peters). A second section, distinguished from the first by larger
scales, is represented in the Nile system by B. pleurogramma, Bler., B. minchini,
Bigr., B. macropristis, Blgr., B. portali, Blgr., and B. carpio, Pfeff., and by about
twenty species in Tropical and South Africa. <A third section, of which B. bynni
is the type, is characterized by a dorsal fin with the last simple ray strong and
bony, grooved behind but not serrated, 5 branched rays in the anal fin, four
barbels, and large scales (not more than 40 in the lateral line), which bear very
numerous longitudinal and nearly parallel strie. This division, of which a few species
are known from India and South-western Asia, is represented in Africa by a ereat
number of forms, some very closely related. A synopsis of these African Barbels has
been given by me in the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ (7) x. 1902, p. 423,
and to the 34 species therein enumerated are to be added B. ruspolii, Vincig., from
LL. Abaia (Margherita), B. trimaculatus, Ptrs., from South-east Africa, B. compineéi,
Sauv., from the Ogowé, and Bb. reinii, Gthr., from Morocco, then insufficiently known
or overlooked by me, and eighteen species since described by Pellegrin, Lonnberg, and
myself. A few species, the range of which is confined to Morocco (B. fritschii, Gthr.,
rothschiidi, Gthr., hartert?, Gthr., riggenbachi, Gthr., waldo’, Bler., and atlanticus,
Bigr.), agree with the latter section except for the number of branched rays in the
anal fin, which is 6 instead of 5. Another section, represented by several species in
Tropical and South Africa, and by B. perince and its allies in the Nile system, is
characterized by the weakness of the last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin, which is
neither ossified nor serrated, 5 branched rays in the anal, four barbels, and large
scales with only 2 to 5 canals radiating from the centre. Species with only one pair
of barbels are but scantily represented in Africa (B. afer, Peters, B. rapax, Stdr.,
B. anoplus, M. Web., South Africa; B. tropidolepis, Blgr., Lake Tanganyika), and the
total absence of barbels defines another division represented by one species in the
Congo (B. brazze, Pellegr.), one in Cameroon (B. je, Blgr.), and four here described
from the Nile and Lake Victoria.
No genus of Nie Fishes stood more in need of a thorough revision than Barbus.
Even the old-known species B. bynni and B. perince, which are represented by
abundant specimens in the Lower Nile, had never been studied on an adequate
material, and no idea could be formed of the amplitude of variation which the large
series now brought together has revealed. The specific definitions have been modified
accordingly to an extent which should teach caution in founding species upon such
characters as one ray more or less in the dorsal fin or one scale more or less in a
transverse series above or below the lateral line. On the other hand, | have been
much impressed by the absolute constancy of the number (5) of branched rays in the
BARBUS. 199
anal fin in both these species as well as in all the other members of the genus,
inhabiting the Nile system. A number of small species, probably confounded by
previous collectors with the young of B. perince, have, thanks to Mr. Loat’s careful
and extensive survey, been added to the fauna of the Nile.
But it is especially in the new exploration of the head-waters of the Blue Nile that
important additions have been made to our knowledge. This knowledge rested
exclusively on the descriptions published by Riippell nearly seventy years ago, only
some of the types of these descriptions being preserved, in a stuffed condition, in the
Senckenberg Museum at Frankfort-on-the-Main. Not only did Mr. HE. Degen, on
his visit to Lake Tsana in 1902, succeed in obtaining examples of all the species
discovered by Riippell, but his collection, comprising numerous and carefully selected
series of specimens, preserved in spirit, has added to the list several species which were
previously unknown. ‘The study of these Fishes, which cluster round 5. bynni, has
been a bewildering one to me, from the very close affinity connecting them; and
nothing short of the fine series brought together by Mr. Degen could have enabled
me to estimate, correctly, as I hope, the value of the characters used for defining
the species. Mr. Degen’s collection has been usefully supplemented by another
made quite recently by Mr. Zaphiro and presented to the British Museum by
Mr. W. N. McMillan.
In the case of several of these allies of B. dynni, it is extremely surprising that
Fishes agreeing so closely in the form and scaling of the body and in the position and
structure of the fins, in the pharyngeal teeth, and also in the skeleton, so far as I have
been able to ascertain, should differ very considerably in the proportions of the various
parts of the head, the form and development of the lips, aud the relative length of the
barbels. I trust that the rich material which I have had the privilege of studying has
enabled me, through comparisons of numerous specimens of all sizes, to form a correct
estimate of the changes that take place with age, and that the number of species has
not been unduly multiplied, although it is, of course, quite possible that some of them
are founded on hybrids *.
Lake Victoria has also, quite recently, yielded several additions to this genus,
thanks to the collections made by Col. Delmé Radcliffe and by Mr. E. Degen.
A remarkable fact is the absence of any representative of this genus in the Senegal
and the Gambia, as well as in Lake Chad. Only one species (B. nigeriensis, Blgr.} is
known from the Niger. More than one-third of the known African species are from
the head-waters of the Blue Nile and from Africa east of the great lakes.
* The European Cyprinids, as is well known, have yielded numerous more or less well-established
exainples of hybridism, congeneric and digeneric, originally described as distinct species.
200 CYPRINIDA.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Dorsal fin with a very strong, bony, non-serrated spine and 8 to 10 branched rays; anal
with 5 branched rays; scales multistriated, large, 28 to 40 in the lateral line ; barbels
four.
A. Lower lip continuous across the chin, sometimes produced into a median lobe.
1. Interorbital width twice and a half to three times in length of head ; caudal peduncle
not more than once and two-thirds as long as deep.
a. Depth of body much greater than length of head, twice and two-thirds to three and a
half times in total length.
Spine of dorsal fin as long as head or longer, rarely a little shorter ;
31 to 39 seales in the lateral line, 3 or 4 series between lateral
line and ventral . . . 5 = 155... bynm, Fors:
Spine of dorsal fin three- fourths ‘s once aera of indie ; 99 to 33
scales in the lateral line, 24 or 3 between lateral line and
IY fo ues nese val get emia ate ts ce er ete Sits Ae cS een y Se le CNGNCSOTI, ALOT.
b. Depth of body equal to or a little greater than length of head, three to four and one-
sixth times in total length; spine of dorsal fin one-third to three-fourths length of
head.
a. 32 to 36 scales in the lateral line ; barbels not longer than the eye.
Snout projecting considerably beyond the mouth ; 3 or 33 series of
scales between lateral line and ventral. . . . . . . . . 3. B. lobogenys, Blgr.
Snout projecting very slightly beyond the mouth ; 2 or 23 series of
scales between lateral line and ventral. . . . . . .... 4 B. radelifiz, Bigr.
8. 28 to 31 scales in the lateral line; 24 series of scales between lateral line and
ventral ; barbels longer than the eye.
Posterior barbel not more than once and a half the diameter of
the eve-s ss. 2 Sie Mr asi ao) oink Sarr od ameus: Bier,
Posterior barbel more fen twice sive snes oftheeye . . . . 6. SB. eumystus, Bler.
2. Interorbital width three and one-fifth to four times in length of head ; caudal peduncle at
least once and a half as long as deep ; 29 to 37 scales in the lateral line.
a. No subtriangular dermal lobe above the mouth.
Depth of body three and a half to four times in total length, length
of head three and two-thirds to four and a half times; spine of
dorsal fin shorter than head ; barbels subequal, one to one and
a half diameters of eye. . . i baad OPiS, Ep pe
Depth of body three and a half to fe oe oad ditoe: (oat times in
total length, length of head three and one-third to three and a
half times; spine of dorsal fin shorter than head; anterior
barbelshorterthaneye . .. . Ee os oe ebrenbarbis, Bier.
Depth of body three and three-fourths to satBu = a halt times in
total length, length of head four to four and one-fourth times ;
spine of dorsal fin as long as or slightly shorter than head ;
barbels subequal, as long as eye ora little shorter . . . . . 9. B. leptosoma, Blgr
BARBUS. = BGT
b. A subtriangular dermal lobe above the upper jaw; spine of the dorsal fin shorter than
the head in the adult.
Lips not produced into long median lobes, but snout with a triangular
dering) fap 40 ae LU, degen. Dig
Both lips produced into fons achiriearalns anbitel vibes p72, 24 EE, ned gid, upp.
B. Lower lip not continuous across the chin.
1. 2 or 3 series of scales between lateral line and ventral fin, 12 or 14 round caudal peduncle.
a. Mouth inferior ; interorbital width twice and two-fifths to three and one-fourth times
in length of head.
a. Mouth evenly curved.
Depth of body twice and two-thirds to three times in total length,
length of head three and three-fourths to four and a half times ;
snout rounded, not twice as long aseye . . os dh 2 oe SUP RAS ANUp Dp:
Depth of body three and a half to four times in total ean feusth
of head three and three-fourths to four and a half times; snout
rounded, not twice as long aseye . . 13. B. intermedius, Riipp.
- Depth of body three and two-thirds to four ‘nd a half a in total
length, length of head four to four and a half times; snout
rather pointed, nearly twice as long aseye inadult . . . 14. B. fergussoniu, Blgr.
Depth of body three and one-third times in total length, length of hea
three and two-thirds times; ventral anterior to origin of dorsal. 15. Bb. eduardianus, Bler.
8. Mouth forming a broken arch, a feebly curved trans-
verse line in front; lips feebly developed; jaws
with a blunt keel, covered by a thin horny sheath . 16. B. plagiostomus, Bler.
6b. Mouth terminal.
Interorbital width twice and three-fourths to three times in length of
head ; posterior barbel one and one-fifth to one and two-fifths
diameters of eye; depth of body exceeding length ofhead . . 17. B. platystomus, Blgr.
Interorbital width four times in length of head ; posterior barbel
one and a half diameters of eye ; oe of body not exceeding
lenath oP tvead - - 4 is 13.4. zaphim, Dler, 2 set
Interorbital width three and two-fifths = be ares in ienoth of
head; posterior barbel not longer than eye ; ae of body not
exceeding length of head . . . . . : ew Ne B Gorouag upp. . =
2. 4 series of scales between lateral line and ventral fin, 16 or
18 round caudal peduncle . . . « . +. . + « 20, Bnummifer, Bigr.
IJ. Dorsal fin with a very strong, bony, posteriorly serrated spine and 7 branched rays ; anal
with 5 branched rays ; scales large ; barbels four.
A. 35 to 39 scales in the lateral line series.
G2
65 ee,
Ventral fins in front of vertical of dorsal; scales 39 ; lateral
HL
D3
line complete 0. Sidwell Bae de conkers 0s De anacropristis; Bler.
. 65 | :
Ventral fins below anterior rays of dorsal ; scales 35 =; ; lateral line
2
incomplete. . - - . 2 ee ee ew we we we . 22, B. pleurogramma, Blegr.
2D
202 CYPRINIDA.
B. 25 to 31 seales in the lateral line.
Ventral fins below anterior rays of dorsal ; scales 29- ae Bi 7; posterior
barbel atleasttwice as longas eye. 2 1 2-4 “a Gwe & 23.8. portals, Bier.
Ventral fins below anterior rays of dorsal; scales 28 He posterior
arbre lslon eer than eyes ig x. as 0 a a a ee eer PO whet
Ventral fins in front of vertical of dorsal ; scales 25-26 2 barbels
He WOMOGremnrCe arse mare fea ee ae Se ee Oe es. MRINCRIA, Lor,
IT. Dorsal fin without strong spine, with 7 or 8 branched rays; anal with 5 branched rays ;
scales very large, 24 to 32 in the lateral line ; barbels four.
A. Barbels at least nearly half length of eye.
Scales 28-32 el
in total length ; caudal peduncle not more than once and a half
as long as ae el ee Se Pines ke so pines panel Ome! bn MARIN OB. Pp
Scales o7-28 ; depth of body three and a half times in total
; depth of body three to three and one-third times
length ; a peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds
as long as ee a BP eee og eee oa 4 Ale oo. tispiopieura. Bier.
Scales 29-31 Zz ; depth of ee three and one-third to three and
three-fourths times in total length; caudal ps nearly
twide as long as deep> Se a ah ye es pra a, Oe INNIS; IDLO.
oe ; depth of body three to three and two-thirds
times in ae ieee ; caudal a not more than once and
one-third as Se AS CCCP 4. Za vog Ss ey srt tan ee eg cosus, big.
Seales 24-25 a77a =a ve depth of body three to three and a half times in
total length ; caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and a
Ina ete onicndie- Geet) sienee state ote yee ote a ee 2 Udy. ernert, iy.
B. Barbels minute ; scales 29 28 Oe A ae ee nes age lee Be doggetias|l ox,
IV. Dorsal fin without strong spine, with 8 branched rays; anal with 5 branched rays ; scales
very large, 19 to 32 in the lateral line ; barbels absent.
Scales 29-32 2 ; caudal peduncle twice as long as deep . . . . 32. B. magdalene, Bler.
Scales 22-25 ° 3 ; lateral line complete ; caudal peduncle not or but
sligitly, longercthan deep... «ii oges 2 Ree eds a +802: Deanema;: Bler.
Scales 22-25 =e lateral line reduced to 3 to 6 tubules ; caudal
peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as
Gee i es ee re See ee eee O 34. B. stigmatopygus, Bler.
Scales 19-20 lateral line reduced to 3 or 4 tubules; caudal
peduncle once and one-third to once and a half as long as deep. 35. B. pumilus, Blgr.
BARBUS. 203
1. BARBUS BYNNI.
(Plate XXXIV.)
Cyprinus bynni, Forsk&l, Descr. Anim. p. 71 (1775); Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 1414 (1789) ;
Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, iii. p. 400, pl. xxvii. fig. 3 (1799), or Trav. Egypt, p. 476, pl. xv. fig. 5
(1800).
Cyprinus lepidotus, Geoftroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. pl. x. fig. 2 (1809).
Barbus binny, I. Geoffroy, op. cit. p. 282 (1827).
Barbus lepidotus, Riippell, Beschr. n, Fische Nil, p. 4 (1829).
Barbus bynni, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvi. p. 174 (1842); Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii.
p. 104 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 261 (1869).
Body deep and strongly compressed, its greatest depth, at the origin of the dorsal
fin, two and two-thirds to three and one-third (exceptionally three and a half) times in
the total length, length of head four to five times. Snout rounded or subacuminate,
more or less prominent, its length three and one-fourth to three and three-fourths times
in that of the head; diameter of eye three (young) to six times in the length of the
head, interorbital width twice and a half to three times ; mouth small, inferior, its width
one-sixth to one-fourth the length of the head; lips well developed, sometimes very
strongly, the lower continuous across the chin and usually produced into a median
rounded or subtriangular lobe, which is shorter than the eye; barbels two on each
side, varying in length, the anterior much shorter than the eye in the young, usually
nearly as long as the eye or a little longer in the adult, the posterior longer, usually
once and one-third to once and a half the diameter of the eye in the adult, the distance
between them measuring one-half (young) to one diameter of eye. Dorsal fin very
elevated, with the free edge emarginate, its rays IV 9, rarely 8, exceptionally 10; last
simple ray very strong, bony, smooth, deeply grooved behind, its ossified part usually
longer than the head (once and one-fourth to once and two-thirds), rarely not longer
than the head, and exceptionally slightly shorter; the distance of the dorsal from the
occiput equals, or nearly equals, its distance from the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin
with III 5 rays, variable in depth and sometimes nearly reaching the root of the caudal,
its longest ray measuring two-thirds to once the length of the head. Pectoral fin acutely
pointed, four-fifths to once the length of the head, not reaching the ventral ; latter origin-
ating below or slightly in advance of the first rays of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked.
Caudal peduncle once to once and one-third as longas deep. Scales finely striated longi-
BE or 72
tudinally, 31-39 (usually 84-37) 3 (exceptionally ““g-*), 3 (rarely 33, exceptionally 4)
between lateral line and ventral fin, 14 (rarely 12 or 16) round caudal peduncle.
According to the notes and sketches of Mr. Loat, the body, in the adult, is of a more
or less uniform dull yellow colcur, turning to olive on the back. In specimens of
180 millim. and under, the whole fish is very silvery, steel-grey or olive on the back,
2D2
204 OYPRINIDA.
with the paired fins and the membrane between the dorsal rays yellow or orange, and
the anal and caudal vermilion-red or suffused with salmon-pink, the ends of the dorsal
and caudal rays sometimes blackish. ‘The iris is silvery and the pupil nearly perfectly
round.
The largest specimen brought home by Mr. Loat is from the Fayum and measures
460 millim., but the species attains, under favourable circumstances, to even a larger
size. Mr. Loat measured a specimen of 530 millim. at Arko, and Capt. Flower
obtained one measuring 650 millim. and weighing over 12 lbs. from a pond near
Cairo; some Bynnies are stated by Geoffroy St. Hilaire to exceed a length of
660 millim. Fry measuring from 18 to 40 millim. have been examined by me; they
differ in the non-ossification of the anterior rays of the dorsal fin.
As may be seen from the table of measurements and of numerical characters, the
large series of specimens at my command reveals a greater amplitude of variation than
could be deduced from the systematic descriptions that have hitherto appeared of this
and allied species of the genus Barbus. ‘The formula of fin-rays and scales as given by
Valenciennes and by Giinther,
hs
1
bo |e
©
ble
~
DelVo9 = AeclilS seb Mat.-50:- betraisy,
has to be modified to
Or
ai
~T
tole
|
D. TV ‘8-f0- A. TIE 5; ZL, lat. 31-39 LL. transv.
On
>
or)
tole
The original definition, nevertheless, still holds good for the great majority of the
specimens, since, out of two hundred and ten specimens examined by me, only nineteen
have 8 branched rays to the dorsal and ten have 10, whilst 74 series of scales above
the lateral line occurs only three times and 54 series four times, only twice do I find
63 series of scales between the lateral line and the mid-ventral line.
Dr. Gunther says: ‘“ Upper and lower lip sometimes with a well-developed lobe,
nearly as long as the eye, sometimes without a trace of it.’ ‘These remarks are intended
to apply to the specimens of the Petherick Collection, which are preserved in the
British Museum. In the largest of these, stated to be from the Lower Nile, both the
upper and lower lips are nearly as much produced as in a B. nedgia; in none of
the specimens collected by Mr. Loat are the lips developed to such a degree.
Whether a median lobe be distinct or not, the lower. lip is always continuous across
the chin.
The large Fayum specimen mentioned above is remarkable in having a supernumerary
barbel on the left side of the lower jaw.
The Bynni is one of the best known fishes of Egypt and has a wide distribution,
being known not only from the Nile proper and the White Nile, but also from Lake
Baringo, whence specimens were sent to the British Museum by Sir Harry Johnston.
205
BARBU
‘OTIN TaMOT ‘OT ‘Q‘
‘OTINT JO TOuvIg VIJISOY "FZ | ‘SBIIV AA JO “PT AVON’ “LT TuUNnyRYYy ST ‘CL ST | ‘Jonog Weg aveu ‘unquBg ‘e
"yousoM “IZ | osuivg T ‘6T FT ‘phuuemeg = *Y, | ‘OYSOLO °G
‘uenssy “0% | “OMB “ET Jonog tus EG “2G “OT “IT ‘6 ‘9 ‘G | ‘JnsnX-fe-ryegq “unyey “T
FE PPE PEE) ORV RE Cheer Ol DEL | Cl eh ele SRNR h Phi al CFL PEPE El Pl ie ST Ek ee eo epenped yepned punor =“ '
Bk Bie ey Bre Pe Ne ee Es) A I ee ee Gs HS OMG Gn SG Cee ie eeaed pu Omip Teleyey meeMjod 3
ig fg fg fa fe fe He f9 fo a (fe fig fo fe fe fo fo (fe Ae fo fe fe fe He feujyesoyey mopoq =“ f f :
79 9 9 44 Ho |f9 #9 #9 9 f9 #9 fe 9 |f9 9 9 f9 Fo fo |tL |f9 9 9 9 | oury jesoye] odoge sojtos ostoasuesy UT“ ‘
06 PLS G8") Sih Pe Teleee (BE BE CS Fe BIG | Pepe eG iie | AG) £E 98.65. | GE eS OG | Ge pierre senses seco) au, [eNO yeT TE BeTeOR |”
6 66 GG 1B eo eS 6 Gir Go MO Meera eh Be | B18 eo dB) Bil GG. genie eter 50 peop O eked peqouesd JOaoquan Ny
GI | GI | GG | GI | GS | 8 | B | 4% | 18 | Te | GE | SE | OF | AF | GF | GF | Ga | SF | Ba | FO | 09 | 09 | 9] BB Pe a ONO: rg
Ol | SE St) GL} St | 16 | 06 | FS [9S | 8G.) 26 | 1S | OG | Gr Gh) wr | Gr | Se | Se | ee | Se | OF | GE] BA [or ve Teuv jo fet ysosuoy
PI | 0G | PE | FS] SS | OF | LE | SP | HS | GE] IF | SF | Te | 09 | 49 | GL | GB | GL | 08 | 8 | O8 | G4} 88 | COT)” (xed poyisso) Tessop yo Ava opdumts yseT
lo Be PO RO CO: Roe tee eG it beer eT SE CLT OT. | Ob erri mE | gerne Sel chy ani * ioe ** Joqaeq rormoysod
Die ei Need (ee at aoc hNG. | Gums ea ORO oe Wel | Fk | OS: | Pile RPC pa hl eke eg carer rsttes cress Tague LOL19}Uv JO YISUI'T
els le le lo lo le le lz i9 le ie lz lorlerl etl er) ot) orl et! ot | et) ot | eg fe WN eee selgreesdes+s aro 10 DEAN
eG Hee HG eM anes] MOR pane | Gk see el eee ett RG eG. | 8G IGG) HG. | OG Gere sie inn tir ss iatnre ns a tne arsine * UIPTA [epLq-to19}U
-il¢lzits,itesszitetele lorie /6/orlor) mia etl etl eri atl atl etl etl ere CTU AUREL Nat Scape nents ofa Jo soqourerc
r 19 |L°|4 +8 16 | 8 | OL] OL | OT | OT | BE} Sl) GT | ST | AT |-L1 | 08 | 02 | 06 | OG | 6T | 06 | 8B itera at a area Cte a srerreres gnous Jo Uysuer]
SG. ey Gl ark be. | SL cet | Obs Oc MienOenPordeesa tre | 98) 6S OF | SE 681 OP 1h egg hrs Ae ii eases "+ peoy JO TIPTAA
GI | 81 | GZ | SG | 93 | OF | 4S | SE | SE | 9E | SE | GE) GF | BF | SF | Ge | OY | 49 | $9 | 9 | ZL | G9 | OL) GB Giada waeaay apie rereeseecerereeses BOTT JO TBA]
LT | BZ | 6G | S& | OF | FE | LE | SF | OF | TS | GF | BF | LE | ZL | 08 | 88] ZB) GB | 06 | 6 | OOT| GOT! TIT) OST) Sie ai dle ot he iia "* yydop ysoyeoty
LG | €L | L6 | OOL FOT| SOT) STI) SET) FHT) 8F1) OG1) OT) GLI) Oza) Gcz} OZ) OLZ] OL%| G1Z| GBS} 88S} NGE OSE) OBF\ soph: (Tepnvo ynoyyTM) qySuET [8qOT,
ag homes toed Gb Sh EL I2OE | OL PE St ST. | PEOL WG 8k oe Sek foe) et
‘sajpas pup shos-uf fo suaquinu pup (SatjoWtT{IW UL) szuawasnsvayy
206 CYPRINID.
The occurrence of this fish in this brackish lake, so remote from the Nile system, is
very remarkable.
Dr. Gunther (P. Z. 8S. 1896, p. 223) records B. bynni from the Shebeli River, but as
the large specimen to which he alludes has not been preserved in the British Museum,
I am unable to verify his determination. ‘The fish may be the one since described by
me as B. erlangert.
A very closely allied species, B. See Vincig., inhabits Lake Gandjule (Margherita),
but it may be distingaished in having only 24 series of scales between the lateral line
and the ventral fin; the spine of the dorsal fin is enormously developed.
The following is a list of the specimens on which the above description is
based :—
6 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
3 Freshwater trench near Damietta.—Loat, 2.6.99.
1 Freshwater canal near San, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 27.6.99.
3 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 7.99.
38 Damietta branch of Nile, upstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 4.8.99.
2 Nile near Id. of Warrag, 2 miles N. of Cairo.—Loat, 15.3.99.
6 Nile near Cairo.—Loat, 11 & 28.3.99.
44 Beni Souef,—Loat, 8.99.
1 Sanhur, near Beni Souef.—Loat, 5.9.99.
2 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 6.10.99.
Lahun, Bahr-el-Yusuf, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
Nile between Abu-Tig and Assiut.—Loat, 1.12.99.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10-11.00.
20 Nile between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Nile at Assuan.—Loat, 8-%.00.
1 El Maharakka.—Loat, 23.6.00.
1 Korosko.—Loat, 26.1.00.
1 Derr.——Loat, 3.2.00.
30 Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23.2.00.
2 Kosheh.—Loat, 8.3.00.
1 Korti.—Loat, 19.5.00.
8 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
1 Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
10 Lake Baringo.—Sir H. Johnston, 1901.
It is very remarkable, considering the occurrence of this fish at Khartum and in
Lake Baringo, that not a single specimen should have been obtained in the White Nile
by Mr. Loat. ‘This observer has noted its occurrence in Lake Menzaleh in fair
numbers in the Nile time; it is found at Rosetta during the rise and fall, but at other
times only a few occur; it is fairly common in the Bahr-el-Yusuf, and is also taken in
the inligation ponds and trenches, but is not numerous anywhere.
BARBUS. Ht wit
Sonnini describes the flesh of this fish as of a delicate flavour, and Geoffroy says it 1s
valued by the Egyptians; but at the present day Europeans agree in regarding it as
flabby and insipid. fe
The following list of names is supplied by Mr. Loat :—* binné” (2); at Cairo,
Barrage N. of Cairo, Samannud, Kafr-el-Zayat, Rosetta, Beni Souef, in the Fayum, at
Assiut, Sohag, Akhmim, Girga, Nag Hamadeh, Assuan, Omdurman; “ helala” (dl) is
the name given at Assiut to the small fish of this species by some fishermen, but not in
Fig. 24.
Bronze model of Barbus bynni.
t. OR
119. 20.
Bronze model of Barbus bynni.
general use, the word “ danné” being generally used to indicate both big and small
examples; “ hademer” (,,od+), this word was heard used once by some fishermen who
“s
were fishing in a trench which runs into Lake Borollos; *‘ m7s’logar” (a\..),
* << dungo” (439), both in use between Shellal and Wady Halfa; “ shwa’kar” (ey%), at
Luxor.
One of the specimens from Samannud bears parasites on the sides. ‘These parasites
have been kindly identified by Dr. W. T. Calman as of the Copepod genus Lernwocera,
208 CYPRINIDZ.
of which an allied species, LZ. cyprinacea, Blainv., is known to attack the European
Barbel, settling on the fins and scales.
The Bynni or Lepidotus of the ancients shared with the Oxyrhynchus and the Lates
the honours bestowed on sacred animals, as testified not only by its image in
inscriptions or in bronze models, but also by numerous embalmed specimens.
Lhe above excellent representation of the Bynni (fig. 24) is from a bronze model
in the collection of Mr. Walter L. Nash. Other models, such as the one also figured
(fig. 25), for a photograph of which I am also indebted to Mr. Nash, although clearly
recognizable as to the species, are less satisfactory representations, the ventral fins
being placed far forwards.
2, BARBUS DUCHESNII.
(Plate XXXV. fig 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 433.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three to three anda half times in the total
length, length of head three and four-fifths to four and one-fourth times. Snout
rounded, three to three and a half times in the length of the head, diameter of eye four
to five and one-fourth times, interorbital width three times; mouth inferior, its width
about four times in the length of the head; lips moderately develcped, the lower con-
tinuous across the chin but usually not forming a free lobe; barbels two on each side,
subequal or posterior a little the longer, once and three-fifths to twice the diameter of the
eye, which equals the distance between them. Dorsal fin with 1V 8-9 rays, last simple
ray very strong, bony, not serrated, straight or very slightly curved, three-fourths to
four-fifths the length of the head, or as long as the head in the young; the edge of the
fin strongly emarginate; its distance from the occiput a little less than its distance
from the caudal. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest ray three-fourths to five-sixths
the length of the head, reaching or nearly reaching the root of the caudal in the adult.
Pectoral fin nearly as long as the head, narrowly separated from the ventral, which is
below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle
once and a half as long as deep. Scales longitudinally striated, 29-33 7 (excep-
tionally zs), 2 or 3 between lateral line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
The specimens in Mr. Degen’s collection were iridescent green and blue in life, all
the fins dark slate-colour; iris dark, with a fine yellow circle round the pupil.
Mr. Zaphiro’s notes give the colour as dark olive above, white below, ventral and anal
fins white, caudal yellow, blackish at the end.
The length of the largest specimen is 300 millim.
BARBUS. 209
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Total deneth (without caudal) ss... 55.0 osu ae eee bees 270 265 |255 [225 |215 |200 |140
Grestestideptin 5.2 a5 sake as vee a se Gee Sines Eero < 82 | 83 | 75 | 66 | 74 | 65 | 44
Tenetiobnead <A: esc ett ee SoBe eae ae eee et ee 67 | 64 | 63 | 53 | 52 | 53 | 37
Wreatlicon Nema ss ead cin ees kee eee eee 36-|: 36 1-85 26 | 205-2019
Devito P-sinGitin ey oe6 2 ade oes ee ee ee 20> E16 19S NO ee tO ad
Diameter Oieyes ves a va oo 9 Oe es Ee ee bo) AS aioe! 12. A | 9
Ember poi tat WAQU: oes ecces le ae Oy ek Bay een ee ee 22-22 4 2d Tet AB ele |e
Widiieor Inet 4 a See ee es ee L4G lo ge) A ko
Aioriot birbehs Aes pas co die ss Gases ae ee Se U3. 222-210" 19 6 sal ial
Posterior bartels tcc: cis oot shen ton ee oan ew 2B5| 2551228 1-10 dP 20-18
Length of last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part) ..............-- 50 | 40 | 45 | 45 | 42 | 41 | 40
3 IONBCS TAY OWN ccc ce ae oaks rigs ee ee 58 | 58 | 49 | 46 | 42 | 44 | 31
‘ peckeral 75 eae iene ee eee. iis eer ey 64 | 62 | 57 | 50 | 51 | 47 | 36
Ninberof softerys in doral: ois sick ee ei aba See Bile Ost O= (220222 Os 0) 8
sa Seales Tie lateral Aine 22-5 54 ee ean see 30 + 307): 29 1 33 ) 30 -1-30-| 30
2 Z transverse series above lateral line .......... 54| 54) 43) 54) 54) 52) 52
55 3 2 » below lateral line .......... 43| 43) 44) 44) 42) 42) 42
3 & between lateral line and ventral ............ Ba) Bree Saat Sees Oe 2e
E = FOUR ccnUdaL PeCinele>. acre. ee ee [te ses fo ee ie
1. Mogre R.—Degen. 3,6, 7. Sagan R.—Zaphiro.
2,5. Ergino R.—Zaphiro. 4. Bahardar.—Degen.
This species, which may be regarded as intermediate between B. bynni and B. affinis,
was founded on two specimens forming part of Mr. Degen’s Abyssinian collection.
‘The larger was obtained in the Mogre River, a tributary of the Blue Nile, in Shoa, the
other at Bahardar, Lake Tsana. We have since received specimens from the Ergino
River (Omo system), from the Sagan River, connecting Lake Abaia with Lake
Stephanie, and from the Elgo River, flowing into Lake Abaia.
2:
210 CYPRINIDZA.
The species is also recorded from the Errer River (Hawash system) by Pellegrin *.
List of specimens examined :—
1 Bahardar, L. Tsana t+.—Degen, 2.6.02.
1 Mogre River, Shoa, 6000 feet.—Degen 17.4,09, $ EYP)
5 ) ) gen,
3 Ergino River, affl. of the Omo, 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 8.7.05.
11 Sagan River, 2800 feet.—Zaphiro, 22.8.05.
3 Elgo River, L. Abaia (Margherita), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 3.9.05.
Named after M. J. Duchesne-Fournet, the chief of the French Scientific Mission
of that name, who most kindly assisted Mr. Degen with advice during his stay on
Lake 'Tsana.
3. BARBUS LOBOGENYS.
(Plate XXXVI. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 435.
Barbus (Labeobarbus) nedgia (non Riippell), Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Freunde Berl.
1888, p. 78.
Body moderately compressed, its depth equal to or a little greater than length of
head, three and a half to four and one-sixth times in the total length. Snout rounded,
two and two-thirds to three times in the length of the head, distinctly projecting
beyond the mouth; diameter of eye three and two-thirds (young) to five and a half
times in length of head, interorbital width twice and a half to three times; width of
mouth one-fourth to one-third length of head; lips strongly developed, the lower
continuous across the chin and often produced into a long rounded mental lobe;
barbels two on each side, the anterior two-thirds to eleven-twelfths the diameter of the
eye, the posterior as long as the eye or a little shorter, the distance between their bases
greater than the diameter of the eye in the adult. Dorsal fin with III 8 (rarely 9)
rays, the free edge feebly emarginate; last simple ray strong, bony, not serrated,
straight, one-half to three-fourths the length of the head; its distance from the occiput
equals its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest ray
three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head. Pectoral fin acutely pointed,
two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter
below anterior rays of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and
one-third to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales finely striated longitudinally,
32-36 a, 3 or 34 between lateral line and root of ventral, 12 to 14 round caudal peduncle.
Coppery brown above, pinkish or brassy yellow on the sides, the scales dark brown
* Bull. Mus. Paris, 1905, p. 291.
+ The localities of the two type specimens have been inverted in the original description.
BARBUS. 211
at the base; silvery white below; pectoral and ventral fins orange, dorsal, anal, and
caudal lemon-yellow at the base, greyish or blackish towards the border; iris yellow.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Total length (without caudal)
eevee waeereseeeteewneeeee @
Greatest depth
erie Ge SRE SoU aca oct acy ey sete fee atch tele eee ee 130 60 53 Al 44 4]
Width of head
Length of snout
Dismgeter Of 6ve:- 1. 10. ce stia nah one eats a Ae eee 24 14 13 10 11 11
Itererbrtar wid taste sie Ai. LEE SS Ser ee eee: 47 oD 18 15 15 13
WirehieOr Momuhe “senate an aeaaly 9 se, 2 eauy aie ae eet ee 38 16 14 10 12 10
eheth ot - angertor Darbel soc. Gs 5 epee eee ae 22 10 8 8 8 7
= DOSLOEIOR Baeble wiselaewaetnly aise oe ears es 24 11 13 10 9 9
é last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part) ........ t 34 30 33 28 25
2 longest Hay -OL adh ince cede heed ota ee eres 90 39 30 30 25 24
‘3 Pectoral. - 400 te cptovnke a a Sapa oes tere eee 98 44 37 35 929 29
Number of branched rays of dorsal ...... 0... 0.0 eee eee 8 8 8 9 8 8
a Ba Ge Ts vera LENG 2-4) 2 ot eae tre ede hare oie 33 35 36 36 34 34
Je = transverse series above lateral line 54 54 54 54 54 54
, ts 3 », below lateral line .. 53 5a 5d 54 54 54
= « between lateral line and ventral .. 3 34 3 34 3 3
- =H ~ round caudal peduncle "os Nr ve. 14 12 12 13 14 12
1. Buganga. (Skin.) 4 2-6. Bunjako.
This species is described from a large skin, 600 millim. in length, from Buganga,
Lake Victoria, and eight smaller specimens from Bunjako, obtained by Mr. E. Degen
in November 1905.
Specimens previously obtained by Dr. Fischer in Lake Victoria, and preserved in the
Berlin Museum, appear to have been referred by Hilgendorf to Riippell’s B. nedgia,
which differs in the wider interorbital space and the presence of a long dermal lobe
or 2
212 CYPRINIDZ.
formed by the upper lip. B. lobogenys differs from the previously described B. radcliffii,
to which it is extremely closely related, in the more prominent snout and in the
presence of one series more of scales between the lateral line and the ventral fin.
5 soft rays in the dorsal fin is the usual number in B. lobogenys, 9 in B. radcliffit.
4. BARBUS RADCLIFFII.
(Plate XX XVII. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1908, p. 218.
Barbus marequensis (non Smith), Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 177.
Body moderately compressed, its depth equal to or a little greater than the length
of the head, three to four times in the total length. Snout rounded, twice and three-
fifths to three and one-fifth times in the length of the head, feebly projecting beyond
the mouth; diameter of eye three and one-third (young) to six and three-fourths
times in the length of the head, interorbital width twice and three-fifths to three times ;
width of mouth one-fourth to one-third the length of the head; lips well developed,
sometimes produced in the middle, the lower continuous across the chin; barbels two
on each side, the anterior two-thirds to five-sixths the diameter of the eye, the posterior
as long as the eye or slightly shorter, the distance between their bases greater than the
diameter of the eye in the adult. Dorsal fin with III 9 (rarely 8) rays, the free edge
feebly emarginate ; last simple ray strong, bony, not serrated, straight, one-third to
three-fourths the length of the head; its distance from the occiput equals its distance
from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest ray three-fifths to three-
fourths the length of the head. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, two-thirds to five-sixths
the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below anterior rays of dorsal.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds as
long as deep. Scales finely striated longitudinally, 32-36 od 2 or 24 between
lateral line and root of ventral, 12 or 14 round caudal peduncle. ‘
Brown, often with coppery and brassy shades, the scales darker at the base;
fins yellow, or of a dirty yellowish green, often much obscured with blackish ; iris
brass-yellow.
The single specimen on which this species was founded was obtained in Lake
Victoria by the late Mr. Doggett, preserved as a skin, and presented to the British
Museum by Col. ©. Delmé Radcliffe, of the Anglo-German East African Boundary
Commission, in 1903. Four further specimens, also dry skins, have since been
received from Col. Delmé Radcliffe. The same fish was obtained in Kavirondo Bay
by M. Alluaud in 1903-1904, and ten specimens, well preserved in spirit, were
brought home from Entebbe and Bunjako by Mr. E. Degen in 1905,
BARBUS.
213
B. radcliffi is nearly related to the preceding species, to Bb. labiatus, Bler.,
from the Mathoiya River, Kenya district, and to B. duchesnit, described above.
It differs from the second in the rather more elongate body with 32 to 36 scales
in the lateral line instead of 28 or 29, in the shorter barbels, in the less developed
lips, in the pectoral fin not reaching the ventral, and in the less deeply notched dorsal
fin; from the third in the more terminal mouth, in the shorter barbels, and in the less
deeply notched dorsal fin.
According to Mr. Degen, the native name at Entebbe is Avsinjo.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Potal length: (without eadal) 2 hss. sins eke a ee
Grréalett depts, oo ec. ees es oe ae
Herston tend sagt cme Gass pip een ee sey Fe eg eee
Wadih-O beads. ei ccte a tiod fies ads Oma eee
Deng ti-on sion). os fee Rien oe ee ee
iDiaaneber-on Oy Ora = ay aa ee ere
Teterorbrial widths qs 55 ie 66 een Sale See eee
Wc OF Ma OGEI sepa Soe ee es ee ee
Length dfsanterior pavhel~ -. sie as a ee ee
posterior bavvel ss Sete es ae cee
last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part) ..........
WOHOCS TRY Gl GRE aah mc eae ee
pi cin ROURONS Cle ok Gent ares ee err ey oe ene oe
Number of -branelied: rays-of doreal < 2.555), Se ee oie Ho
3 scales Va laeerar bine , Heese se ee ee
in transverse series above lateral line ....
39 39
below lateral line ....
29 39 93 97
between lateral line and ventral ........
29 >
Z2 5 beund-cands peduncle... a.
1. L. Victoria.—Delmé Radcliffe. (Type: skin.)
2,5. Hntebbe.—Degen.
?
L. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. es 8.
520 |860 [300 |275 |2385 |195 |165 |105
140 |100 | 88 | 78 | 62 | 58 | 42 | 31
135 |100 | 76 | 67 | 55 | 52 | 41 | 28
85 | 092 | 48 | 38 | 29 | 28 | 19 | 14
50 | 83 | 28 | 211; 18 |) 17) 18) 382
20) 182s) 144 2 ha 0 34
BOS BO ea ts AO dA e®
457 27-20) te7- 14 ais 8 Z
i 1S deta 94 so a
20-34 14 aS BO a 7
70 | 88 | 42 | 38 | 87 | 39 | 30 | 22
80 | 56 | 53 | 47 | 41 | 37 | 30 | 19
105 | 64 | 55 | 57 | 47 | 44 | 33 | 23
d4-9 9) Fees! get 8
32 | 33 | 36 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 34
53| 53] 53) 52] 63] 54] 54| 62
43; 43| 5a] 43/ 6a) 54] 541 53
or 3 on 98 = Be) Ot O4l ba
12 |} 12/12/12) 14| 14) 12 | 14
3, 4, 6,7, 8. Bunjako.—Degen.
214 CYPRINIDZ.
5. BARBUS GUDARICUS.
(Plate XXXVI. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 564.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and two-thirds times in the total length,
length of head three and four-fifths to four times. Snout rounded, three to three and
a half times in the length of the head; diameter of the eye five to five and a half
times in the length of the head, interorbital width three times; mouth inferior, its
width three and two-thirds to five times in the length of the head ; lips well developed,
the lower continuous across the chin and forming a small rounded median lobe;
barbels two on each side, the anterior a little longer than the eye, the posterior once
and one-third to once and a half the length of the eye, the distance between their
bases equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with IV 9 rays,
the free edge strongly emarginate; last simple ray strong, bony, not serrated, nearly
straight, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head ; its distance from the eye
equals its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest ray
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2. 3
Total length (without caudal) ..... Sa Fr ee Tae fe Oo 240 225 210
Crentestcepul. 9 af ra.02 cen cours Uae There wcaeeen ee 65 62 58
Hemera Meme teh sien cents cto e ne qoae eG: Bane be 59 59 55
AREA Te Cr ln eae (ei ye ics TO rteY Va NS eat ReRe eee agen ee ate 34 30 31
Mie Tesi OnerenlOmage A estes sate gy cana: GOR anol Al Mees Js SR a ae 17 7 18
Digi Be ReRAOE Oy 6S" Wes chk, © Tin a, kek ek ee Ce RS 12 12 10
SSO PEN rb ak oe ae owes Ee gn cugeee oe cab at woemiatens sous 20 20 18
Vi eee MUNCHIES ees Sasa sailed ort ae GE 9 i os 15 12 15
erp papi aa eer tonsa hel <6 iy ta nie te a asda ses 14 13 12
Bs pasberian parbel way... eoerk., wae eee ben ae, 15 sla 15
2 last simple ray of dorsal] (ossified part)............ 45 38 38
¥ OMI SSCIN DARI Note? cena? teen ee eee eee a ae 53 46 40
ys (DISLENCi acorm s as oalen ae ot a OO ere Ree rare norte 50 52 46
1,3. Metti River. 2. Gudar River.
BARBUS. PAS
two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head, reaching or nearly reaching the root
of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral ;
latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal
peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales finely
striated longitudinally, 28-30 ze 2% between lateral line and root of ventral, 12 round
caudal peduncle.
The colour is described by Mr. Zaphiro as dark olive above, silvery white beneath,
with or without a pale rose wash all over the body; caudal fin yellowish, with or
without red at the end, the other fins greyish, with pale red at the end, or pectoral,
ventral, and anal fins reddish ; iris yellow.
The largest specimen measures 265 millimetres.
Two specimens from the Metti River, a fast-running stream about 20 yards wide,
in Salle, altitude 3500 feet, flowing to the Gudar River, and two from the latter river,
a southern tributary of the Blue Nile, altitude 3400 feet, were collected by Mr. P. C.
Zaphiro on April 23rd and 24th 1905, and presented to the British Museum by
Mr. W. N. McMillan.
This species should be placed close to B. oreas, Blgr., from the Jerrer River
(Hawash system), from which it is distinguished by the lower number of scales in the
lateral line.
6. BARBUS EUMYSTUS.
(Plate XX XVIII. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 565.
Body strongly compressed, its depth equal to the length of the head and nearly one-
fourth of the total length. Snout rounded, three times in the length of the head;
diameter of the eye five times in the length of the head, interorbital width three times ;
mouth inferior, its width four and a half times in the length of the head; lips well
developed, the lower continuous across the chin and forming a small rounded median
lobe; barbels two on each side, equal, twice and one-third the diameter of the eve, (ae
distance between their bases slightly less than the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin
with IV 9 rays, the free edge strongly emarginate; last simple ray strong, bony, not
serrated, straight, five-sixths the length of the head ; its distance from the preoperculum
equals its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest ray three-
fourths the length of the head, nearly reaching the root of the caudal fin. Pectoral tin
a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below the anterior rays
of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds as long
as deep. Scales finely striated longitudinally, 31 a 2 between lateral line and root of
ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
216 CYPRINIDA,
The colour is described by Mr. Zaphiro as dark above, silvery white beneath ;
pectoral, ventral, and anal fins greyish, with pale red towards the ends, caudal
yellowish ; iris yellow.
Measurements (in millimetres).
AGMCh OLN: .° 45 | So a ee ie ee ae re pe Ree
ef eee Ib O UG CHUOIN i320 inet ee eee ge ee oD
Peston Gopi: 5° sae. ee 2 ee ee ee ee eee 57
DUE OF Headgear ae carat eis bo ie eget 56
NVR Ule: Oe TOR: pe agent eo aes aoe 4 re ee ae oy
Peet. Se ame ae ee en ee ee 18
Diamoter-Ob eye. 05 ee a ee ee 11
Liteon ital Winieh tie tans edge yas Moke Bilin Bai 18
MVC METOR Ine Wil cess ee iets ot eS ean ete 12
behaehvon anterion barely, 22 et yep taste wince a 25
= posterior barbel. . . . . RESP os er 26
- last simple ray of dorsal (ost par pe ee 46
fe longest rayon anal. « —j225 pe eee Al
54 RICO D ORL eiey eit gs Poni Sen. eS gan, eh 48
A single specimen was obtained in the Juju River, a stream about 10 yards wide
flowing from the hills of Guma to the Didessa River, a southern tributary of the Blue
Nile, at an altitude of 2000 feet, by Mr. Zaphiro, and presented to the British
~ Museum by Mr. W. N. McMillan.
This species is distinguished from the preceding, and from all Bardus of the Nile
system, by its longer barbels. In B. gregorii, Blgr., which has also very long barbels,
the anterior never exceed once and three-fourths the diameter of the eye.
7. BARBUS AFFINIS.
(Plate XX XIX. fig. 1.)
Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 8, pl. i. fig. 8 (1837) ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H.
(7) x. 1902, p. 425.
Depth of body three and a half to four times in the total length, length of head
three and two-thirds to four anda half times. Snout rounded, three to three and a
half times in the length of the head; diameter of eye four (young) to six and two-thirds
times in the length of the head, interorbital width three and a half to four times;
mouth terminal or subinferior, its width four to five times in the length of the head;
lips well developed, the lower continuous across the chin and sometimes forming a
BARBUS. Q17
short rounded lobe; barbels two on each side *, subequal or anterior a little shorter .
than the posterior, which measures one to one and a half diameters of eye, the distance
between them two-thirds to one diameter of eye. Dorsal fin with IV 8-9 rays, last
simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, straight or very slightly curved, one-half to five-
sixths the length of the head; edge of the fin feebly emarginate ; its distance from the
occiput a little less than its distance from the caudal. Anal fin with ITI 5 rays, the longest
three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head, sometimes reaching the root of the
caudal fin. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, two-thirds to five-sixths the length of the
head, not reaching the ventral; latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal
fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and four-fifths as long as
deep. Scales finely striated longitudinally, 31-37 one io 24 or 3 between lateral
line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Riippell described the specimens observed by him at Goraza as of a light yellowish
green above, with coppery sheen, yellowish white on belly; all the fins greenish ; the
iris yellowish brown. As preserved in spirit, the specimens in Mr. Degen’s collection
vary from olive to blackish above, the scales sometimes dark-edged, the lower parts
being yellowish or silvery. According to his notes, some specimens when fresh are of
a deep blue colour above the lateral line, golden yellow below; another is described as
uniformly of a pale yellow bronze, slightly iridescent, all the fins of a similar hue,
except the anal, which has a flesh-colour tinge, the iris a dull white with a fine yellow
ring round the pupil; still another is described as light green above and of a rich
yellow below the lateral line, the dorsal and caudal dark green, the other fins light
green, in part flesh-coloured, the iris light yellow or greenish yellow, or of a light
bronze. : : |
This Barbus, of which I have examined 22 specimens, including the type, 410 millim.
long, preserved in a stuffed condition in the Senckenberg Museum at Frankfort-on-the-
Main, inbabits Lake Tsana and other waters of Southern Ethiopia, viz. the Didessa
River, the Maki River, the principal feeder of Lake Zwai, the Kassam River in Shoa,
and the Hurso River in Upper Adal. It has also been found in the Sagan River,
running into L. Gandj ule (Stephanie), by Baron Maurice de Rothschild, and in the Zeissi,
Elgo, and Sire R., flowing into L. Gandjule, S. of I. Abaia, by Mr. Zaphiro. Its range
is therefore not restricted to the Nile system. dat
List of the specimens examined :—
Goraza, L. Tsana.—Riippell, 1832. (Type.)
Zegi, L. Tsana.—Degen, 13—21.5.02.
Bahardar, L. Tsana.— Degen, 4.6.02.
Gafersa, Maki R., ca. 5000 feet.— Degen, 11.3.02.
oO HY Oo eH
* In the largest specimen brought home by Mr. Degen a supernumerary third barbel is present between
them on the right side, nearer the anterior than the posterior.
and
CYPRINIDA,
218
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BARBUS. 219
Buggali, Maki R., ca. 4000 feet.—Degen, 3.3.02.
Didessa R., 1500 feet.—Zaphiro, 6.5.05.
Taddecha-Mullka, Kassam R., ca. 4000 feet.— Degen, 8.2.02.
Awhorra-Mullka, Kassam R., ca. 4000 feet.— Degen, 7.2.02.
Hurso R., Upper Adal, ca. 7000 feet.—Degen, 17.1.02.
Zeissi R. (L. Gandjule), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 2.9.05.
Elgo R., Gamu (L. Gandjule), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 3.9.05.
Sire R., Gamu (L. Gandjule), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 4.9.05.
Sagan R.—Baron Maurice de Rothschild, 25.3.05.
bo bo Oo HH OS HO bo
8. BARBUS BREVIBARBIS.
(Plate XXXV. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 431.
Depth of body three and a half to three and three-fourths times in the total length,
length of head three and one-third to three anda half times. Snout rounded, three times
in the length of the head ; diameter of eye four (young) to six and one-third times in the
length of the head, interorbital width three and one-fourth to three and three-fourths
times; mouth inferior, its width four and a half times in the length of the head; lips
much developed, the lower forming a short rounded lobe in the middle; barbels two
on each side, the anterior two-thirds to three-fourths the diameter of the eye, the
posterior as long as the eye and as long as or a little longer than its distance from
the anterior. Dorsal fin with IV 9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not
serrated, straight or very slightly curved, two-fifths to three-fourths the length of the
head; free edge of the fin emarginate; its distance from the occiput equal to or a
little less than its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest ray
three-fifths the length of the head. Pectoral fin about two-thirds the length of the
head, not reaching the ventral; latter below or slightly posterior to the origin of the
dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds as long as
deep. Scales longitudinally striated, 31-33 ae 2% or 3 between lateral line and ventral,
12 round caudal peduncle.
According to Mr. Degen’s notes, the fish when fresh is bluish olive above, yellowish
beneath ; fins dark slate-colour; iris deep yellow.
Lotal length 350 millimetres.
This species inhabits Lake Tsana. Four specimens were obtained by Mr. Degen,
the largest at Zegi, May 31, 1902, the three others at Bahardar, June 4, 1902.
B. brevibarbis differs from B. affinis and B. nedgia in the shorter anterior barbels.
2F2
220 CYPRINIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Tor leneth: (without caida) 5 es. 2 a yaw ts eee 320 230 120
Greabest- Gent pepsi eel ae wh a yee oe a ae 87 61 32
PIO OE Neateacr 6. fee en eyes : : eet ee ee ee 95 68 34
RE Ol trees: 5. FscO seta asia rte ce Pass eS Fee eer 45 30 14
Length of motib Gj cos, Manis Chae ane PS SO Oe STS Ue FR PT OME ee 32 23 LT
amare Or ie OVOF = tr andy was cua ear dad BFR as ae Fv ae 1d 13 8
Timterorbital sat hear; cine eine eee eas aes waka as el aeaee Nace 29 18 9
Mice OLIN CUEMIe vette ee ernie aks Sie Gut athe eee uae 21 15 74
Tae ee, peak eet ee res 11 10 5
Pei Ltt AOE higia ose ee ial Vie Sapa eS oo Weary ote ET Kas 14 18 8
Length of last simp'e ray of dorsal (ossified part) ...........- 4] 30 27
a longest ray of anal .. KURO Shae ase Wks eae 60 38 23
- pectoral actrees ahs eee sie da wee es 64 47 24
9. BARBUS LEPTOSOMA.
(Plate XL. fig. I.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 432.
Depth of body three and three-fouths to four and a half times in the total length,
length of head four to four and one-fourth times. Snout rounded, three and one-fifth
to three and a half times in the length of the head; diameter of the eye four to four
and two-thirds times in the length of the head, interorbital width three and one-fifth
to three and one-third times ; mouth inferior, its width four to five times in the length
of the head; lips moderately developed, continuous across the chin; barbels two on
each side, subequal, as long as the eye or a little shorter, longer than the distance
between them. Dorsal fin with III 8-9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not
serrated, straight or slightly curved, as long as, or a little longer, or slightly shorter
than the head; free edge of the fin emarginate ; its distance from the occiput less than
its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 9 rays, longest ray two-thirds the
length of the head. Pectoral fin four-fifths to seven-eighths the length of the head, not
BARBUS. | 221
reaching the ventral; latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal peduncle
2-55
twice or nearly twice as long as deep. Scales longitudinally striated, 30-30 ~Z-,
3 between lateral line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Silvery in life, tinged with a vivid blue, the belly and fins whitish, tinged with crimson.
Total length 225 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3. 4
Total length (without caudal) ........0c-.eeeeeeceeeeeeees 205 | 205 | 145 120
Gres tosbideptli: $4 .ssss+-de tnceyen sts oe eee: Snes eee 52 46 40 33
Lengthvot Heatl .Gaeee.5 oo nag ol ee eh eee eee 50 49 36 31
Waidth'ol mend ce aoe oe te a ie 26 25 19 15
Length Or SuOuy ~se70 ae ays to ee ae ee 15 12 10
Diametet-Of eye o5i-4.35. Gees ga ee eS ae ofa 103 104 9 9
Tntevorbital Wwidust 04 3 are. tie ae ee en ee ee eee 15 15 i 10
Witthiol moulh = <1 6G eee ee a 7 7
AmUeRrer Dutiel as sstdaes eos fore Bea ee eae me 11 9 8 8
Posterior: DREDGE << <5. cg eh etee a dint eg Sen as ee 11 10 8 a
Length of last simple ray of dorsal (ossified pant) (lee te rt 48 45 36 38
es 1GUMOR FAY Ol AMARC f5 at ten sa kn eek 37 36 25 23
. PORUONIAS 5k OE pee te a ee 2 ee eee ees 44 40 30 26
1-3. Zegi.—Degen. (Types.) | 4. Juju R.—Zaphiro.
As stated above (p. 196), one of the specimens is remarkable in having three
pharyngeal teeth, instead of two, on each side in the outer series. A second specimen
examined showed the normal number of pharyngeal teeth: 2, 3, 5—5, 3, 2.
Three specimens were obtained by Mr. Degen from Lake Tsana at Zegi, May 18th
and 19th, 1902. A fourth specimen, from the Juju River (alt. 2000 feet), flowing
into the Didessa River, a southern tributary of the Blue Nile, forms part of Mr. Zaphiro’s
collection.
This Barbus is distinguished from B. brevibarbis by the more elongate form, the
shorter head, the thinner lips, and the longer spine of the dorsal fin.
222 CYPRINIDX
10. BARBUS DEGENT.
(Plate XLI. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 435.
Depth of body three and two-thirds to four and one-third times in the total length,
length of head three and a half to three and three-fourths times. Snout pointed,
twice and a half to three times in the length of the head; diameter of the eye five to
eight and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital width three and a half
times; snout produced into a triangular dorsal flap overhanging the lip; mouth
inferior, its width four and a half to five and a half times in the length of the head;
lips very strongly developed, the lower produced into a rounded median lobe which
measures one-half to two-thirds the diameter of the eye; anterior barbel one to
one and one-third, posterior one and one-fifth to one and a half diameters of eye, the
space between them equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with
IV 9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, straight or slightly curved,
one-third to two-thirds the length of the head; free edge of the fin emarginate ; its
distance from the occiput a little less than its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin
Measurements (in millimetres).
Ronco (Wei TOUL Gate) } 54 tcdi ssn ieas slaw ncodene bad ose > B20 250 205
GlRCaL eet eile tess couse ce Voc eT One ere es 96 67 58
Peete Ca Uns wsS.c niece cake, cee Hanes rit eee ae ce 120 70 54
SI GETRS (AiO eal Ter Man NM A Sloot eens PRK Per Peay ne MN Retr, mee eee eRe 57 b4 26
Wren iiira SOi isi ety, mts a ees. telat los cals ee Spee soe Weber g 46 28 ci
DAC Te Oey Cree Ais ek apace arate Diw wets eS easels We ae eleetia a 14 12 lg
Spree eet Sk en aa Sie et ettscte™s ety a? ents iL. Ine aed Soh ge 33 20 16
AGRSUREEQOUP Cit 1 Scan ara wat come MEER SUR Pearaet Cream Este AOL SAP re Mem Re 21 13 11
mathe Weanbak So. Pe Pe pak lee Ea eee Sel eee 16 11 11
MEG aC ews cite side wg a as RR ce ta Eee IE cs See 20 14 15
Length of last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part) ........... 40 4] 38
; loiseeni nay obgabid svn 3. canna anttrs oe ~ 2p08 bch 73 37 oa
a pectoral Ge aot eris PENG Vakans Eee N eG Sees 70 50 40
BARBUS. 223
with III 5 rays, longest ray one-half to two-thirds the length of the head, reaching or
nearly reaching the root of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin three-fifths to three-fourths —
the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below the anterior rays of the
dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once ae a AE to once and :
two-thirds as long as deep. Scales longitudinally striated, 31- 35 3 rr = 24 or 3 between :
lateral line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle. |
Head and upper part of body dark slate-colour, sides dark green, belly jis shia i
green, in life; caudal green, other fins steel-grey; iris dark bronzy. :
Total length 450 millimetres. |
Lake Tsana. Four specimens were brought home by Mr. Degen. ‘The largest was
obtained at Zegi, May 27th, 1902, the others at Bahardar, June Ist and 4th, 1902. :
This fine Barbus is closely allied to B. nedgia, differing in the less developed mental |
lobe and the absence of an upper labial lobe, which is replaced by a similar appendage
formed by the skin of the snout above the lip. ‘That these dermal appendages are not
sexual characters 1s proved by the fact that they are not more developed in the largest
specimen, a male, than in another, the third with regard to size, which I have
ascertained to be a female.
11, BARBUS NEDGIA.
(Plate XLI. fig. 2.)
Labeobarbus nedgia, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. i. p. 14, pl. i. fig. 3 (1837).
Barbus nedgia, Giinther, Cat. Fish, vii. p. 104 (1868) ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x.
1902, p. 426.
Depth of body three and a half to four and one-fifth times in the total length, length
of head three and one-fourth to three and three-fourths times. Snout long and pointed,
two and one-third to three times in the length of the head; diameter of the eye four
(young) to eight times in the length of the head, interorbital width three and
one-fourth to three and two-thirds times; mouth inferior, its width four and a half
to five and a half times in the length of the head; lips very strongly developed, both
upper and lower produced into a rounded or subtriangular lobe which is nearly as long
as or longer than the diameter of the eye; anterior barbel one to one anda half,
posterior one to one and three-fourths diameters of eye, the space between them
at least two-thirds diameter of eye. Dorsal fin with IV 8-9 rays, last simple ray very
strong, bony, not serrated, straight or slightly curved, one third to nearly once the length
of the head; free edge of the fin more or less emarginate ; its distance from the occiput
equal to or a little less than from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest
three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head, often reaching the root of the caudal.
GG
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BARBUS. 235
Pectoral fin more or less pointed, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head,
not reaching the ventral; latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal fin
deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to twice as long as deep. Scales
longitudinally striated, 29-36 ioe 24 or 3 between lateral line and ventral, 12 or 14
round caudal peduncle.
Notes and a sketch taken by Mr. Degen from fresh specimens at the Zegi market
represent the fish as bronze-yellow, the back olive, the belly whitish, the fins olive, the
pectorals, ventrals, and anal tinged with pink; iris yellow. A specimen from Bahardar
is described as having the body greenish grey above, yellowish beneath, the anal and
the caudal fins light scarlet, the dorsal green, the pectorals and ventrals light grey.
Mr. Zaphiro describes the colour of the Gibe and Gato River specimens as dark above,
silvery white tinged with yellow beneath, the ventral and anal fins white or yellowish,
the caudal yellow, the iris yellow.
Total length 520 millimetres.
This species, originally described from Lake Tsana, has a rather wide distribution,
extending southwards to Lake Gandjule (Margherita) and the Sagan River, which
connects IL, Gandjule with L. Stephanie. Besides the type, kindly entrusted to me
by the Directors of the Senckenberg Museum, Frankfort/M., I have examined a
considerable number of specimens.
The following is a list of the material at hand :—
Goraza, L. Tsana.—Riippell, 1832. (Type.)
Zegi, L. Tsana.—Degen, 5.02.
Bahardar, L. Tsana.—Degen, 6.02.
Didessa R., trib. of Blue Nile, 1500 feet. Dike. 6.5.05.
Juju R., af. of Didessa R., 2000 feet.—Zaphiro, 10.5.05.
Gibe R., afl. of Omo R., 2800 feet.—Zaphiro, 28.4.05.
Sagan R., at Wondo, 2800 feet.—Zaphiro, 22.8.05.
Gato R., affl. of Sagan R., 3700 feet.—Zaphiro, 29.8.05.
Zuja R., afil. of Sagan R., 4200 feet.—Zaphiro, 12.7.05.
L. Gandjule, 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 10.9.05.
bo me 0 me Oo ke
he ft Or WO
Ruppell says the flesh of this Barbel is particularly prized by the natives at Goraza,
where it bears the name Nedgia. Mr. Degen informs me that at Zegi and Bahardar,
on the other side of L. Tsana, the fish is called Lento or Liento, but confounded with
B. degeni and other similar forms, and that he found the flesh of all these Barbels
very insipid,
226 CYPRINIDZ.
12. BARBUS SURKIS.
(Plate XLIL.)
Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 5, pl. i. fig. 1 (1837); Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H.
(7) x. 1902, p. 424.
Depth of body twice and two-thirds to three times in the total length, length of head
three and three-fourths to four and a half times. Snout broad, rounded, three and
one-fifth to three and a half times in the length of the head; diameter of the eye four
and one-third to six times in the length of the head, interorbital width twice and a half
to three times ; mouth subinferior, its width four to four and a half times in the length
of the head; lips moderately developed, broadly interrupted on the chin; barbels two
on each side, the anterior one and one-sixth to one and three-fourths, the posterior one
and a half to one and three-fourths diameters of eye; the distance between the barbels
two-thirds to once the diameter of eye. Dorsal fin with IV 8-9 rays, last simple ray
very strong, bony, not serrated, nearly straight, three-fifths to four-fifths the length of
the head; free edge of the fin emarginate ; its distance from the occiput equals its
distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest ray as long as the head
and reaching the root of the caudal fin in the adult, about two-thirds the length of the
head in the half-grown. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, a little shorter than the head,
nearly reaching the ventral ; latter below the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply
forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as deep.
; 2 : , 52-62
Scales longitudinally striated, 51-36 qpt, 243-3 between lateral line-and ventral,
12 round caudal peduncle.
According to Ruppell, the colour of the fish when fresh is of a light sea-green in
the upper half, yellowish with golden gloss in the lower half; fins greenish,
transparent; iris brownish. Mr. Degen describes the only specimen obtained by him
as of a light bronze-yellow, strongly iridescent, the under parts whitish; all the fins of
a light flesh-colour; iris dark bronze and mottled.
Total length 380 millimetres.
This Barbus was discovered by Rtippell at Goraza, Lake Tsana, where it is known
to the native fishermen under the name of Surkis. J have examined a single specimen
from that lake, obtained by Mr. Degen at Zegi on May loth, 1902. Although I
have not been able to compare this specimen with the type, which appears to have
been lost, I feel confident my identification is correct, notwithstanding the fact that
Rippell’s figure represents the fish with 44 series of scales above the lateral line and
4 between the latter and the ventral; but as it 1s stated in the description that the
lateral line is very indistinct, especially on the anterlor part of the body, I ascribe the
discrepancy to an error of the artist, who las represented the lateral line tco high up
BARBUS.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Total length (without caudal) ~. 0.5. t= ay ee lee oe ee
Grédtest Gempli Sy, 5. 25 calpain sg soe eee ie ena eee men ee oer
Libnephook Rend oS. see ge see eae agence 1k eg tga ete aney oe mee
} Widihis of Jen vcaieusepocat RED a Gs ode ten aia
Renetit-of smouh! (i. ab PIR eo Sis eae eee oe Cae at oe
DiaiHeteR GLOVE: |. sess syne tiieis sen Coase, AS eee atte eas Sn aes ee ES
Width of imeotthe 20.3) Neem, Ee a Ce ee Pee
Léeeth of anterior Darvel ia. a Ol ee ee ee eer te
m POSEGRWOE MAT Del 2255075 cocina Cares wes eee gs ee ee segs
a last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part).............2..008-
- longest ray oP anal’. ones Shi es Be i We ery eer hee tae
a PeCORGle fy ng scree ecg yaa eto ees ary ey ee eres aes pee
Number.of branched: gaye in. dorsal 66465025 as aha pais sy Feasi eee
rf scalegan: ntéfal Herta. 4) oo ass tare oe aera eee eee
o 5, im transverse series above lateral line ..............
33 i a 3. Welow lateraViime 6a Pee
a ;, between lateral line and ventral.............5....2..
i so Raul caida pedumblet << papewre sta Oeoaen y
1. Zegi.—Degen. |
12
i)
2-4, Didessa R.—Zaphiro.
by one series of scales, an error which the condition of the specimen would easily
account for. Five specimens were obtained in the Didessa River, a southern tributary
of the Blue Nile, by Mr. Zaphiro, 6.5.05.
The large size of the lower pharyngeal bones and their teeth, as shown on
Pl. XXXVII. fig. 4, is a striking peculiarity of this species.
262
bo
LS
(oe)
CYPRINID.F.
13. BARBUS INTERMEDIUS.
(Plate XX XIX. fig. 2.)
Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 7, pl. i. fig. 2 (1837) ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H.
(7) x. 1902, p. 424.
Depth of body three and one-fifth to four times in the total length, length of head
three and three-fourths to four and a half times. Snout rounded, three to three and a
half times in length of head; diameter of eye three and a half (young) to six times in
length of head, interorbital width twice and two-thirds to three and one-fourth times ;
mouth inferior, its width four to five times in length of head ; lips moderate, interrupted
on the chin; barbels two on each side, anterior two-thirds to one and a half diameters
of eye, posterior one to one and two-thirds (less in the young), the distance between
them nearly as long as the diameter of the eye in the adult, one-half in the young.
Dorsal fin with IV 8-9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, straight or
feebly curved, one-half to three-fourths the length of the head in the adult, nearly
as long as the head or even longer in the young; free edge of the fin emarginate; its
distance from the occiput a little less than its distance from the caudal. Anal fin with
III 5 rays, longest ray two-thirds to five-sixths the length of the head, often reaching
or nearly reaching root of caudal. Pectoral fin at least four-fifths the length of the
head, sometimes as long as the head, not reaching the ventral. Latter below anterior
rays of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to
5L62
twice as long as deep. Scales longitudinally striated, 30-38 773, 24 or 3 between
lateral line and ventral, 12 (rarely 14) round caudal] peduncle. :
Several coloured sketches were made from living specimens by Mr. Degen. ‘They
show the upper parts to vary from olive to bluish green or vivid green, the sides from
pale greenish to golden yellow, the belly often flesh-coloured ; fins brown or olive, the
pectorals, ventrals, and anal sometimes tinged with pink, the caudal sometimes of a
vivid green; iris yellow, or bronzy with a yellow circle round the pupil. Some
specimens are described by Mr. Zaphiro as of a fine yellow all over the body.
The largest out of about sixty specimens collected by Mr. Degen measures
400 millimetres.
This Barbus varies much in form, and in the relative length of the spine of the
dorsal fin and of the barbels, the former being longer, the latter shorter in the young
than in the adult, as may be seen from the following table of measurements.
This species is common in Lake Tsana. Specimens have been obtained by
Mr. Zaphiro in the Didessa River (altitude 1500 feet), flowing into the Blue Nile, and
its tributary the Juju River (altitude 2000 feet). ‘The species is not confined to the
Nile system, as specimens from the Sire, Ganda, and Zeissi Rivers, flowing into
229
BARBUS.
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230 CYPRINID.
Lake Gandjule, S. of Lake Abaia, and from the Ergino River, tributary of the Omo,
are in the Zaphiro Collection.
List of specimens examined :—
1 Goraza, L. Tsana.—Riippell, 1832. (Type.)
20 Zegi, L. Tsana.—Degen, 5.02.
10 Bahardar, L. Tsana.—Degen, 6.02.
2 Didessa River, 1500 feet.—Zaphiro, 6.5.05.
1 Juju R., affl. of Didessa R., 2000 feet.—Zaphiro, 10.5.05.
4 Urgessa R., affl. of Didessa R., 2300 feet—Zaphiro, 2.5.05.
1 Ergino R., affl. of Omo R., 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 8.7.05.
3
1
2
Sire R., at its mouth (LL. Abaia), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 4.9.05.
Zeissi R., L. Abaia, 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 2.9.05.
Ganda R., Gamu (L. Gandjule), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 5.9.05.
14. BARBUS FERGUSSONII.
(Plate XLIII. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 12.
Depth of body three and two-thirds to four and a half times in the total length, length
of head four to four and a half times. Snout rather pointed, three times in the length
of the head; diameter of eye five or five and a half times in the length of the head,
interorbital width three times; mouth inferior, its width five times in the length of the
head ; lips moderate, interrupted on the chin ; barbels two on each side, anterior a little
shorter than the eye, posterior a little longer, the distance between them about one-half
diameter of eye. Dorsal fin with IV 9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not
serrated, scarcely curved, three-fifths to two-thirds length of head; free edge of the fin
emarginate; its distance from the occiput less than its distance from the caudal fin.
Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest three-fourths or four-fifths length of head, nearly
reaching the root of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, a little shorter than
the head, not reaching the ventral. Latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds as long as deep.
Scales longitudinally striated, 836-87 sp 25 between lateral line and ventral, 12 round
caudal peduncle. | ;
Dark olive-brown above (in spirit), lighter beneath, the scales darker at the base.
Total length 260 millimetres.
Two specimens were obtained in Lake Albert Edward by Mr. J.E.S. Moore in 1900.
B. fergussonii is very closely related to B. intermedius, and barely distinguishable
from specimens of that species, of similar size, by the longer and more pointed
snout.
)
OS
ail
BARBUS.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without caudal) . eae eee 230
iecatest Gepil ¢ isa elegy ees 9 oP eee aae D3 63
Lenotit of peadce x 6. 24a Ree ee Se ays) 5D
WWidtiseh dada dice gt) vee tin Gute Chapa ke ae 2 a 29 29
Lenwie Gl SHON aia oo ea te Ge oe ee ae 19 119)
Diametenver oye fy oo Ses ph. Sei ee ig ees AF 10
bnborore thal-ayilihs we pa ee ae eae Wee ee 18 18
Wid tlic of sing ty st ts echt dg crak see et he et de; 11
operon diatooler 6 i sie ee ap ie ea nie ue 8 Ny
Posteriar barber) site moe nes fed eae ees 12 12
Length of last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part). 32 38
au; hom@egt: Pane OL ait aah erg eee care oes ef 42
“ PCCLOVALS cu we ak aes 4 2 yroe Berge 49 45
Named in honour of Mr. Malcolm Fergusson, the Geologist attached to Mr. Moore’s
second expedition to the Central African Lakes.
15. BARBUS EDUARDIANUS.
(Plate XLIII. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vii. 1901, p. 12.
Depth of body three and one-third times in the total length, length of head three
and two-thirds times. Snout rounded, three and one-third times in the length of the
head ; diameter of eye six and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital
width two and a half times; mouth inferior, its width four times in the length of the
head; lips moderate, interrupted on the chin; barbels two on each side, subequal,
a little shorter than the eye. Dorsal fin with III 9 rays, last simple ray very strong,
bony, not serrated, straight, half the length of the head; free edge of the fin
slightly emarginate; its distance from the occiput a little greater than its distance
from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest three-fifths length of
head. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, three-fourths the length of the head, nearly
reaching the ventral. Latter in advance of the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin
deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and three-fifths as long as deep. Scales longi-
tudinally striated, 35 ea, 3 between lateral line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Olive-brown above (in spirit), golden beneath, the scales darker at the base.
This species is founded on a single specimen from Lake Albert Edward, obtained by
Mr. J. E. S. Moore in 1900.
232 CYPRINIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres).
mUed Ona Nein pene tae tite Fee eee ee ye eee ea
et By Se CW COCR en ee oe eee ee ae ee AY
Ripe sea erin: se hs hep eee i gee
IRR SOr MANGA ial tok 9s ee ee er a he eo PO
PSI OI NORCh ak” peg a Se oe toe ees 64
Reno ieon sii tinspeg ae eo hea tes ea a ae dt
PIAIO UOT OOO) s Stqh rate eet Ge here, by ee ea 18
Matern ica twice sc oat ct ae ese gene Pte eo ee, 44
WitGiE SO TOM et pas eee ees oe ee OS ee ek 28
SeuOiion ibariie saeces. epee gpa tee et aaah cr See re i
Posterior barbel< 34 = 44 Nee aoe eats 17
Length of last simple ray of dor i (ossified peo ae ee 38
* lorigest ray Oren ac a> = Tae ee ee 68
- RCC COVENT a ncacye tog ne xerar ets Ge aetg age Ph ga era 85
The more posterior position of the dorsal fin separates B. eduardianus from the
preceding species.
16. BARBUS PLAGIOSTOMUS.
(Plate XX XVIII. fig. 2.)
‘ Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 429.
Depth of body three and a half to four times in the total length, length of head
four to four and a half times. Snout rounded, three to three and one-third times in
the length of the head; diameter of eye four and a half to five and a half times in the
length of the head, interorbital width two and two-fifths to two and two-thirds times ;
mouth inferior, forming a broken arch, a feebly curved transverse line in front, its
width three to four times in the length of the head; lips very feebly developed>
confined to the sides; a thin horny sheath, with a blunt keel, covers the jaws; barbels
two on each side, anterior a little shorter than the posterior, which is as long as or a
little shorter than the diameter of the eye, the distance between them measuring
three-fourths to once and one-third the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with IV 9-10
rays; last simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, as long as the head or only
two-thirds its length; free edge of the fin strongly emarginate ; its distance from the
occiput less than its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with IIT 5 rays, its longest
ray three-fourths to once the length of the head, reaching or nearly reaching the root
of the caudal. Pectoral fin as long as or a little shorter than the head, not reaching
the ventral; latter a little posterior to origin of dorsal fin. Caudal fin deeply forked.
BARBUS.
233
Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to once and three-fourths as long as deep. Scales
finely striated longitudinally, 33-34 a 24 or 3 between lateral line and ventral, 12 or
14 round caudal peduncle.
Silvery, darker on the back; pectoral and ventral fins flesh-coloured; iris nearly
white, with a fine yellow ring round the pupil.
Total length 310 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
Total lene th: (without Cagdah): 2. esac tse at one ce ak oe ees ee
Greatest dein 3 ars « ves bid ES ce ase d yi aie cater eee ote eps ha eee
TLeneth ot heads) A aos eae ad I es | ie eae aes
Width of head 1.1... . 6 eee e eee eee cect eee teen nett eens
Len esl OF si Ol ies kar we. teehee kee eee hae ence on cre ae
| Diatweteren eye ith. tins ie eds Rie SLO ee a eee ai a
Piteror beta wads G45, ate en ees Se eee ar. Sate eee eee
“TARWAACEIGE THOME. «op eye ean chk ates Ge kee ee ears eran
hength of anteriorbarbel weiss. as eget eee ee eee
o POstemOr-DAPDON. acct hire ges er eee RRR ee
ae last simple ray of dorsal (Ossitied "Hart) 2s cosa. teas
mx lon@ent tay of) atin scl ote se sa epee ey aed ae ee
Zz Le S40) 2 1 eaame eeangneM ah BONE Da Sik t reste MIMO Taal Ak tte Se SOME cet ak
Nuiniber6r braiched faye 06 dorsi! 0. ata oe cleans, Bd ee ey 3 =.
A scales.im Jateral Wing” <2. = elude whe oe ale a bal Cone es
és ». in transverse series above lateral line ..............
A “4 5 J below: taberal line’ soi Fs sega
Ks » bebweenlutearallime-aniG Memurnl 6 wis ios bc iseshe e acd cep
J ;; tound caudal peduncle, (nasa a ees ee
1. Gudar R.—Zaphbiro.
2,4. Kassam R.—Degen.
1S 2. 3. a,
275 196 180 178
79 52 54 53
67 45 44 46
40 26 25 23
20 15 14 16
12 9 8 10
28 18 16 16
21 14 13 15
ial 7 ry fe
42 8 8 8
| 45 40 29 36
66 38 34 36
63 44 36 40
10 9 9 9
34 33 33 33
BLE |e side) SE) -Bd
greens pa hie ae
3 poe 3
12 12 12 14
3. Gota R.—Degen.
2H
234 CYPRINIDZ.
This species was established on three specimens from the Gota River at Marmusa
(21.1.02) and two from the Kassam River at Awhorra Mulka in Shoa (7.2.02), altitude
about 6000 feet, both rivers in the Hawash system, collected by Mr. Degen. The British
Museum has since received a specimen from the Akaki River, a tributary of the
Hawash (altitude 4500 feet), and another from the Gudar River, tributary of the Blue
Nile (altitude 3400 feet), collected by Mr. Zaphiro and presented by Mr. W. N.
McMillan. I have also examined a specimen from Lake Rudolf, forming part of
Baron Maurice de Rothschild’s collection.
Like B. perplexicans from the Tana system, this fish might be referred to the genus
Capoéta as defined by Giinther ; but this, it seems to me, would be in violation of the
natural affinities, which are with B. intermedius, Riipp., just as those of BL. perplexicans,
Bler., are with L. tanensis, Gthr., and Bb. hindi, Bler. Nevertheless, B. plagiostomus
evidently constitutes a connecting-link between Sarbus and Varicorhinus, and, with
other species, bridges over the gap separating these two genera.
Capoéta bingeri, Pellegrin (Bull. Mus. Paris, 1905, p. 291), from the Burka River
(Webi Shebeli), Barbus macmillani, Blgr., from Lake Gandjule, and B. bottegi, Blgr.,
from the Omo River, are close allies of B. plagiostomus. The first differs in having
the posterior barbel a little longer than the eve and the mouth broader, its width only
twice and two-thirds in the length of the head; the second has the posterior barbel
once and one-fifth to once and three-fifths the length of the eye, and the width of the
mouth is contained four times in the length of the head; whilst the third may be
distinguished by the longer barbels and the low number (28-30) of scales in the
lateral line.
17. BARBUS PLATYSTOMUS.
(Plate XL. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 430.
Depth of body three and a half to three and four-fifths times in the total length,
length of head four to four and one-fourth times. Snout very broad, rounded, not quite
one-third the length of the head; diameter of eye five to six times in the length of
the head, interorbital width twice and three-fourths to three times; mouth large, terminal,
its width three times in the length of the head; lips moderately developed, interrupted
on the chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior as long as the eye, the posterior
once and one-fifth to once and two-fifths, the space between them as long as the eye.
Dorsal fin with IV 8- 9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, feebly curved,
three-fifths to six-sevenths the length of the head; free edge of the fin emarginate ;
its distance from the occiput less than its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with
III 5 rays longest ray three-fourths to four-fifths the length of the head, reaching or
BARBUS. 230
nearly reaching the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, five-sixths to
seven-eighths the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter a little posterior
to the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and
three-fourths as long as deep. Scales longitudinally striated, 35-37 a 3 between
lateral line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Bluish or steel-blue above ; fins of a dark slate-colour; iris yellow or orange.
Total length 310 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length Gvithout caudal $202" e- e BBD 220
Girediveienthes c ee e ee 64
Trenet hot yeade 2. Say 44 See et Ae ee 52
Widthiserdiead -.c.28o ee a ee ee ee ee 27
Hene Or -sn0Ut> os 2 Serge re et een cae eee ee 17
Diamieterof 6v6 > ayn fies Si tae “ae 1S Se ee ee 104
PRUCTOR DIE With... kt. ce ee ea pet eines Pee 17
Wren orrngaen, to nae a et arta ee eee ee eee 17
PVITGEIIOE OSTNOE x hot. en ee og a eee ely 10
IPOSteriol ban belt .* te eee ay ae ee ee ee ee, lez
Length of last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part) . . 44 46
bs longest taveot alla Sse oe ae Pee AU
pectotab. ica re eee ey eee ee Ad
Two specimens were obtained by Mr. E. Degen at Bahardar, Lake 'T'sana, on
June 4th, 1902.
B. platystomus approaches B. gorguari in its broad terminal mouth, but differs from
it in the much broader snout and the broader interorbital region.
18. BARBUS ZAPHIRI.
(Plate XLV. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 563.
Depth of body three and three-fifths times in the total length, length of head three
and one-fourth times. Snout rounded, its length three and a half times in the length
‘of the head ; diameter of the eye six times in the length of the head, interorbital width
four times; mouth terminal, lower jaw slightly projecting ; width of the mouth one-
fourth the length of the head; lips well-developed, interrupted on the chin; barbels
two on each side, nearly equal, about once and a half the diameter of the eye, the space
24H 2
236 CYPRINIDZA.
between them a little greater than the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with IV 9 rays,
last simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, feebly curved, about two-thirds the
length of the head; free edge of the fin strongly emarginate ; its distance from the
occiput equals its distance from the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays,
longest ray a little more than half the length of the head, not reaching the root of the
caudal fin. Pectoral fin about two-thirds the length of the head, nearly reaching the
ventral; latter extending slightly in advance of the vertical of the origin of the dorsal.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds as Jong as deep.
Scales longitudinally striated, 31 am 24 between lateral line and ventral, 14 round
caudal peduncle.
Dark olive above, silvery white beneath, the fins greyish. According to Mr. Zaphiro’s
notes, the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are tinged with pale red at the ends and the
iris is yellow.
Measurements (in millimetres).
JUS ENDS Util Pe Be RMR? pare Ny No eee ee eR Ree ore ee Mae my
re reg CVO tN) cet nam (oo bg hehe ee aree oso Oe)
Ore cier GED ar et ae een ee ee he es bee ooh ena OE
OCLC STL aN IPINCE 1) Seg lama So aPimc he OIC, ait ges ok Sage eM) SRA pies SERS 17
Sy tetra sor nea Sake ea Rene een ey eo re eg, ee age es PO
PM GiiAGhenlOUhc bee arcsec ade ey ee aks, LD
amiGhet OMeNGia aint ahaa. em See Ree 4 Sea i
ire ronnie lp vanonu IN ae oe aeren wake tia t pir hg tie eat ae a
NIGH Ee Mee TN 2 euaaren st reas oat aS. Tot vee RA ce yg et eles gh
ewan ob-anientor Uabl@lan 5 eeaGer ele tok ate) eo ee ee ND
Ss MOSUCEIOL UMmUOle “eamren amis Sebi ts ag sot Bis co LO
:: last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part) . . . . . 43
i FONG St ray Gag ey eteee ree RG eo wl oll say we? SOO
& PICHON Slee EPG ge pee wes SSRN al” ee us eg Sg
A single specimen from the Didessa River (Blue Nile), altitude 1500 feet (6.5.05),
forms part of the fine collection of fishes made by Mr. P. C. Zaphiro and presented to
the British Museum by Mr. W. N. McMillan.
B. zaphiri is closely allied to B. gorguart, differing principally in the longer barbels.
BARBUS. od
19. BARBUS GORGUARI.
(Plate X LIV.)
Barbus gorguari, Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 9, pl. i. fig. 4 (1837) ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag.
N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 424.
Barbus elongatus, Riippell, 1. ¢. p. 11, pl. ii. fig. 1.
Luciobarbus gorguart, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 324 (1846).
Luciobarbus elongatus, Heckel, 1. ¢.
Depth of body three and three-fourths to four and a half times in the total length,
length of head three and one-fifth to three and five-sixths times. Snout rounded, its
length twice and two-thirds to three and a half times in the length of the head; diameter
of eye four (young) to eight times in the length of the head, interorbital width three
and two-fifths to four times; mouth terminal, or lower jaw projecting; lips well
developed, interrupted on the chin; barbels two on each side, as long as or shorter
than the eye, the space between them at least nearly as great as the diameter of the eye.
Dorsal fin with III-IV 8-9 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, straight
or feebly curved, two-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head; free edge of the fin
more or less distinctly emarginate ; its distance from the occiput nearly equal to its
distance from the caudal. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest ray three-fifths to three-
fourths the length of the head, usually reaching the root of the caudal in the adult.
Pectoral fin more or less pointed, two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head, not
reaching the ventral; latter below anterior rays of dorsal. Caudal deeply forked.
Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to twice as long as deep. Scales longitudinally
striated, 32-36 3b 25 or 3 between lateral line and ventral, 12 round caudal
peduncle.
This fish is very variable in shape as well as in coloration. Some specimens are
humped at the nape (BL. gorguari, Ripp.), others are not (BL. elongatus, Riipp.), whilst
others show every intermediate degree between the two extremes. 8 is the usual
number of branched rays in the dorsal, but 9 occurs in three out of the seventeen
specimens examined by me. 64 scales in a transverse series above the lateral line
occurs twice, and 44 below the lateral line occurs four times in the series examined.
Ruppell describes the colour as green above and yellow beneath. According to
Mr. Degen’s notes and sketches, the upper parts may be green, silvery blue, brownish
yellow, coppery red, or blackish brown, the lower parts yellow or white; red specimens
(No. 7 of Table) have a dark brown iris, with a carmine-red circle round the pupil,
whilst in others the colour of the iris is bronze-yellow.
Total length 530 millim.
This species is only known from Lake Tsana, where it was discovered, at Goraza, by
CYPRINIDA.
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BARBUS. 239
Ruppell, and described under two different names, with the remark that the distinction
is not recognized by the natives, who designate both forms as “ Gorguari.” The series
of sixteen specimens brought home by Mr. Degen justifies, in my opinion, the view of
the Abyssinian fishermen. Mr. Degen’s fishes were obtained at Zegi and Bahardar in
May and June 1902, and a native boy who caught one of them gave it the name of
‘““ Wuscabash ” or “* Wuscafash.” Other specimens were called “ Affacul,” and the red
ones “ Assa Baria” (= Slave of Fish). These “ Assa Baria” are prized for their
medicinal properties, poultices made of the fish’s liver being applied as a remedy for
ophthalmia.
Barbus gorguart can only be confounded with B. intermedius and B. platystomus.
It differs from the former in the larger terminal mouth, from the latter in the longer
head, which at least equals the depth of the body, and in the shorter barbels.
20. BARBUS NUMMIFER.
(Plate XLVI. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xiii. 1904, p. 449.
Depth of body three and a half to four times in the total length, length of head
four and one-third to four and a half times. Snout rounded, as long as the eye, the
diameter of which is three and two-thirds to four times in the length of the head;
interorbital width twice and one-third to twice and two-thirds in the length of the head ;
mouth slightly inferior, with feebly developed Jips, interrupted on the chin; barbels
two on each side, anterior as long as the eye or a little shorter, posterior measuring
one and one-fourth to one and one-half diameters of eye, the distance between them about
half diameter of eye. Dorsal fin with III 8 rays, last simple ray very strong, bony, not
serrated, nearly straight, as long as the head; free edge of the fin emarginate ; its
distance from the occiput much less than its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with
III 5 rays, longest ray three-fifths to two-thirds length of head. Pectoral fin acutely:
pointed, a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below origin of
dorsal, Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to twice as
long as deep. Scales with numerous radiating stria, 36-39 2a 4 between lateral
line and ventral fin, 16 or 18 round caudal peduncle.
The colour, in spirit, is olive-brown above, silvery below, the fins whitish ; a series
of three to six round blackish spots, the last or last two on the caudal peduncle and
traversed by the lateral line, the others just above the lateral line. Mr. Degen has
noted that the dorsal fin is scarlet, the pectorals are tinged with red, the ventrals and
anal are yellow, and the iris is of a pure white.
Total length 130 millimetres.
240 CYPRINIDE.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Sf Ovaleem mah Cwitioit GANGAL) 5.6 och. 5 1s eee ee | del'7 102 | 9()
ay dioah dept a a_i i en bes asi wo ages fll ert alk Bs
Length of fami tes a es Sie Behe ous war | og 23 21
FN UE ee MOM he ean Lan yale WLOR aR ee se gaa Winches Ree | 15 13 11
Tetie Ob SIOU F253. 8 Go, oak setae Fs 2 a ee 7 6 53
Diriipverser eye Jxhe. Bry SINR Beh. LU ata ee (ian 6 | O35
CCH bae TCE: Sos Rosca eee in ae ee oh 10 i) | 8
PCE OEINOE: Ao, Choa eee ye oe 7 GS comer
sa TUES ISS OO cl), eee © Mi 9 Aer Or i Auto was Sra ae a 6 6 5
Posvebiovsbariel.~ x: .."sm <i mse. gat eb ee ae te id, eet eS Ms, 9 8 | 7
Length of last simple ray of dorsal (ossified part)............ 27 23 22
- IOHE CS TAY sO ahad one. digas a ae oe oe BR ow 17 15 14
. {TOC ager? aie ene eee Sign Rak OA AIDE, Hee eR ta 2, 19 18
Hight specimens, collected by the late Mr. Doggett in Lake Victoria in 1903, have
been presented to the British Museum by Col. Delmé Radcliffe. A single specimen
was taken at Entebbe on June 26th, 1905, by Mr. Degen.
This species and B. jacksoni, Gthr., are easily distinguished among the forms with
large non-serrated spine to the dorsal by the high number of scales between the lateral
line and the ventral fin coupled with the series of black spots along the side.
This is probably the fish from Lake Victoria referred by Hilgendorf (Sitzb. Ges.
naturf. Freunde Berlin, 1888, p. 78) to B. trimaculatus of Peters, which differs in
having larger scales (30-34 =, 3, 14).
B. nummifer differs from B. jackson, Gthr., from the headwaters of the Rufu River
in the Kilimandjaro district, in the longer posterior barbel and the shorter spinose
dorsal ray. The specimens from Lake Rukwa referred to B. yacksoni by Hilgendorf
and Pappenheim (Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Freunde Berlin, 1903, p. 269), although smaller
than the type, are described as having the snout longer than the eye, and therefore
surely belong to a distinct species, which differs, besides, in the longer barbels and
in the shorter spinous dorsal ray. For this species I have proposed the name
BL. pappenheima |
BARBUS. 24]
21. BARBUS MAOROPRISTIS.
(Plate XLVI. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xiii. 1904, p. 449.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, four times in the total length.
Snout rounded, three and a half to four times in the length of the head; diameter
of eye four to four anda half times in the length of the head, interorbital width
twice and three-fourths; mouth terminal, its width four times in the length of
the head; lips feebly developed; barbels two on each side, the anterior half the
diameter of the eye and as long as its distance from the posterior, which measures
the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with III 7 rays, last simple ray very strong,
bony, strongly serrated behind, nearly as long as or a little longer than the head;
free edge of the fin emarginate; its distance from the occiput a little less than
its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest three-fifths the
length of the head. Pectoral fin about four-fifths the length of the head, reaching
the base of the ventral; latter fin entirely in advance of the vertical of the origin
of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle twice as long as deep.
Scales with fan-shaped striation, 39 aa 3 between the lateral line and the ventral
fin, 16 or 18 round the caudal peduncle.
Silvery, dark grey on the back; fins whitish in spirit.
Measurements (in millimetres),
Be obel lengetbns. <2 ae Agia see ch gore ge ee ee ee ee 112
mr 3 (wither tauidalrss Se ree er 1 100
Greatest depth of body ~- 5 s- 4-4. FY eeens 28 25
doomertlicol Rema 2 oo ae oe ae See na ee 28 25
Wa dtncor igen Scar, 35g pa pare ee ee Oe ee 13 12
Din Wieker si OY G3 oo o5 ew geese a ee a eae ae 6 6
Arid OFM, cai a Fok Ant a Seed eo nae es 7 6
nensth or ons tay of dorsal ina * 5.0 ta, oe 31 23
= lomgesh vay Coa nal Jot tee ee 18 16
re NTE 4 Se ee ae eae Pe Reto) Pe a Pat 23 20
‘Two specimens were obtained in Lake Victoria by the late Mr. Doggett in 1903
and presented to the British Museum by Col. Delmé Radeliffe.
Barbus macropristis is closely related to the Kast-African B. paludinosus, Peters,
from which it differs in the longer spine of the dorsal fin, the longer posterior barbels,
and the greater number of scales in the lateral line. Specimens from Kavirondo Bay
have been referred by Pellegrin (Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 177) to
B. paiudinosus, but they should be compared with B. macropristis.
A
and
LO
Te
LD
CYPRINID.
22. BARBUS PLEUROGRAMMA.
(Plate XLVIL fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 436.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, four times in the total length.
Snout rounded, four and a half times in the length of the head; diameter of eye three
to three and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital width three times ;
mouth terminal, its width four and a half times in the length of the head ; lips feebly
developed ; barbels two on each side, the anterior barely half the diameter of the eye
and longer than its distance from the posterior, which measures nearly three-fourths
the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with III 7 rays, last simple ray bony, strongly
serrated behind, three-fourths the length of the head; free edge of the fin not
emarginate; its distance from the occiput a little less than its distance from the
caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest three-fifths the length of the head.
Pectoral fin two-thirds the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below
anterior rays of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle twice as long as
deep. Scales with fan-shaped striation, 30 Bes 3 between lateral line series and
ventral, 16 round caudal peduncle; the lateral ne reduced to its anterior portion
(5 to 8 tubules),
Silvery, brownish on the back; a black line along each side of the body; fins greyish.
Total length 40 millim.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total lengilwithout-caadal). 5 bs aa. ay a ee OB FRE BO
Greatest depth . ;
Length of head
Width of head .
Length of snout
He 1 60
No)
Diameter of eye
Width of mouth rons
Length of bony ray of dorsal .
ho Oo bo
Ne el
a anal .
Oe Or =]
re pectoral
Three specimens were obtained by Mr. Degen at Bahardar, Lake Tsana, on June 4,
1902, and one in the Unfras River, Lake Tsana, May 9, 1902.
This species stands near the preceding, from which it is easily distinguished by the
position of the ventral fins below the dorsal and the incomplete lateral line.
BARBUS. 243
23. BARBUS PORTALI.
(Plate XLV. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xviii. 1906, p. 36.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, three and two-thirds to four times
in the total length. Snout rounded, longer than the eye, which is four to four and
a half times in the length of the head and about once and a half in the interorbital
width; latter three times in the length of the head; lips moderately developed,
interrupted on the chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior once and a half to once
and three-fourths, the posterior twice to twice and a half the diameter of the eye,
the distance between them about two-thirds the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with
III 7 rays, last’ simple ray strong, bony, coarsely serrated behind, much shorter than
the head; free edge of the fin not emarginate; its distance from the occiput less than
its distance from the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest one-half to three-
fifths the length of the head. Pectoral fin two-thirds to three-fourths the length
of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below anterior rays of dorsal. Caudal
fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds as long
as deep. Scales with fan-shaped striation, 29-31 3 3 between lateral line and ventral,
12 round caudal peduncle.
Yellowish, back olive-brown; a dark greyish lateral stripe with or without two or
three blackish blotches in its course; fins whitish.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length rate tee ae eM eA 100
3 a owit ondeatarienh 8c meee na NS, ae 85
Gureatestadepthror Hedy re nv ee A eee ae ee ee 23
Piengtht or heads et 8 eS a ed eas 24.
AVidbi of beget = Gk Se) Oe ae ee eee are ee 14
PPO RUIVORSROUL: fio OSs Oye ee Ee ee See IA 7
Diameter of eye 5
Interorbital width ieee: hicks iy ky =e ee aes 8
VLGth Gt aC meh. 0 yk Wy AZ ars oe ee te ae ee eee 6
Length of anterior barbel . 8
6 PUMonlor pagWel re Ct oy. we ie a ie es gtd
5 POGEOI NS 86 ct) nee «ate ate ao, he ee ee: 17
Five specimens were obtained by Mr. R. B. Woosnam near Fort Portal, 12 miles
east of Ruwenzori, in a small stream at an altitude of 4500 feet. ‘This small stream is
a tributary of the Mpanga, which flows into Lake Ruisamba, and runs fairly swiftly
ae tes
244 CYPRINIDZ.
over rocks and gravel. The only other fish that was captured in its waters is
Clarias carsonit. |
Barbus portali is nearly related to B. zanzibaricus, Peters, but differs in the much
longer barbels. B. carpio has a deeper body, fewer scales, and shorter barbels.
24. BARBUS CARPIO.
(Plate XLV. fig. 3.)
Pfeffer, Thierw. Ost-Afr., Fische, p. 57 (1896).
Depth of body a little greater than the length of the head, three and one-third to three
and three-fourths times in the total length. Snout rounded, slightly projecting beyond
the mouth, three and a half times in the length of the head ; diameter of eye slightly less
than length of snout, four and one-fourth to five times in the length of the head,
interorbital width twice and a half to three times; lips rather strongly developed ;
barbels two on each side, the anterior once and one-fourth, the posterior once and
a halt the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with IV 7 rays, last simple ray strong,
bony, strongly serrated behind, about half the length of the head; free edge of the
fin nearly straight. Anal fin with III1 5 rays. Pectoral fin two-thirds the length
of the head, not reaching the base of the ventral; latter below anterior rays of dorsal.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and a half
as long as deep. Scales with fan-shaped striation, 28 a, 3 between lateral line and
ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Brown, darker on the back, silvery on the belly; a blackish streak on the side of
the caudal region of the body, sometimes extending forwards, interrupted, to the
upper extremity of the gill-cover; dorsal and caudal fins grey or blackish.
Measurements (in millimetres),
PUGH ne Giant Sot Fear area ege aknae 8 eee ee pe 67
ah pe COBO NN oe UIT, Tee wee Gee gt oth ee ae Oe 60
Gears denth-ol body ae. eae ee eo eS 18
j PSE g Sag S18 Ute (0 epee marie eRe eee coe ecee 9. Sir ay re vege eee eae Ly.
RP Gien Ob nea Pty se erage Sob re ets ee en ie Se he eer Men ae 8
Length of snout 5
Diameter of eye . SRT ge a gh ge: ae 4
Pietro bite Wacol + gst Sob ae ea <2 Fe i es 2, 54
Width of mouth Sep po rass 4 ager, eis Con 4
ber ovreol pemiomah 4 s0.0.4 5 ve per yo ae = eid SO one 114
This species was discovered by Dr. Stuhlmann at Undussuma Bay, at the southern
end of Lake Albert, and described by Prof. Pfeffer, to whom I am indebted for the
loan of one of the type specimens.
BARBUS. 2409
25. BARBUS MINCHINI.
(Plate XLV. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvi. 1906, p. 436.
Depth of body three and one-third times in the total length, length of head four
times. Snout rounded, not projecting, four times in the length of the head; diameter
of eye three and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital width twice and a
half; mouth terminal, its width one-third the length of the head; lips moderately
developed, not extending across the chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior two-
thirds the diameter of the eye, the posterior as long as the eye, which is about twice the
distance between the barbels. Dorsal fin with III 7 rays, last simple ray strong, bony,
serrated behind, a little shorter than the head; free edge of the fin nearly straight ;
its distance from the eye equals its distance from the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin
with III 5 rays, longest ray three-fifths length of head. Pectoral fin three-fourths
length of head, not quite reaching the base of the ventral; latter fin entirely in advance
of the vertical of the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle
twice as long as deep. Scales with fan-shaped striation, 20-26 a 24 between lateral
line and ventral fin, 12 or 14 round caudal peduncle.
Olive above, silvery white beneath, the scales blackish at the base; a bright yellow
or scarlet spot on the gill-cover; pectoral and ventral fins yellow; dorsal, anal, and
caudal fins scarlet, yellow at the base; iris greyish white.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Wotal letiethics =<". 9 62 4 ets ee Gee ae ee ee
- ores Canon caudal ano. te ne ee ee ee a
Greatest depthjoltnod ys eins mtiy ae A eee a eee
Lengthiet oad 24d Wale GES Ss Sees ee es Fe
Width of head . 3 o)
Diameélen 6! eye 2) cio cen es py edad gee ae ees
Interorbital width . ji
Width of mouth Eee Barta att aes Se Rae 6
Length of bemy tay OF - Coren: 6 ny ee ee oo
=. Po eeen May roranal eG nk ek gee ge ee EO
ms | Lea | apie ME oa ee eae eed See aia Ghat oat eg Saar eaee 3
‘This species was established on two specimens in the Degen Collection, from
Entebbe, Lake Victoria, Nov. 25,1905. It has been named after Prof. E. A. Minchin,
in recognition of his service to African Ichthyology in enabling Mr. Degen to form
246 CYPRINIDA.
the valuable collection which it has been my privilege to describe. It is easily distin-
guished from B. carpio by the more anterior position of the ventral fins. B. kerstenii,
Peters, which is still more closely allied to it, differs in the larger eye (not quite three
times in length of head) and the shorter barbels.
26. BARBUS PERINCE.
(Plate XLVII. fig. 2.)
Riippell, Mus. Senckenb. ii. p. 12, pl. ii. fig. 2 (1837); Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 105 (1868),
and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 262 (1869).
Depth of body twice and three-fourths to three and one-third times in the total
length, length of head three and two-thirds to four and a half times. Snout rounded,
not projecting, three and a half to four and a half times in the length of the head;
diameter of eye three to three and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital
width two and one-third to two and a half times; mouth terminal or subinferior, its
width four to five times in the length of the head; lips feebly developed, not extending
across the chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior one-half to four-fifths, the
posterior five-sixths to one and one-fifth diameters of eye, the distance between them
not more than one-half the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with III 8 (rarely 7) rays,
the last simple ray not ossified, nearly as long as or a little longer than the head, the
border usually more or less distinctly emarginate; origin of the fin usually a little
nearer the end of the snout than the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays,
longest two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head. Pectoral fin acutely pointed,
a little shorter than the head, not reaching (rarely nearly reaching) the ventral;
— the latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal
42_5h
peduncle once to once and a half as long as deep. Scales smooth, 28-32 57, 2 or 8
between lateral line and ventral, 12 or 14 round caudal peduncle.
Some specimens, and such are Riippell’s types from Cairo, are uniform silvery, with
the back pale sea-green, the fins white and transparent. Others, and these seem to be
by far the more frequent, have three more or less distinct round blackish spots on the
middle of the side, the first before, the second behind the vertical of the base of the
dorsal fin, the third on the caudal peduncle near the root of the caudal fins. Such
specimens, from the Damietta branch of the Nile, are thus described by Mr. Loat :—
“Silvery white, the fins colourless, or with a faint tinge of lemon on the dorsal and
caudal, the back dull brownish yellow, bordered below by a line of shot reddish gold ;
the three blackish spots are not visible when the fish is first taken out of the water,
but appear a short time afterwards.” I am indebted to Capt. 8. Flower for young
specimens with four or five black spots on the side.
247
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BARBUS.
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248 CYPRINID.
I have examined over a hundred specimens of this species from various parts of the
Nile from Gondokoro to its mouth. The largest measures 105 millimetres, exactly
the maximum size indicated by Riippell. The species is rather constant in its
characters ; only in one specimen (from Luxor) have I found the number of branched
dorsal rays reduced to 7; only eight specimens had 4% series of scales above the lateral
line in front of the dorsal, whilst a ninth (from Fashoda) is remarkable in having that
number on the left side, whilst the right side shows the normal number, 04,
List of specimens examined :—
1 Lake Menzaleh, in shallow water near shore at Ghet-el-Nassara.—Loat, 21.5.99.
7 Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh, in pools of fresh water having no connection with the lake.—
heat, 21,5:99:
®) Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
I Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 29.7.99.
18 Damietta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 3.8.99.
4 Nile at Cairo.—Riippell, 1833. (Types.)
5 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 2.7.00.
1 Nile near Cairo.—Loat, 14.3.99.
6 Near Cairo, in a canal by side of road leading to Pyramids of Giza.
10 Giza.—Capt. Flower, 27.2.06.
20 Embabeh.—Capt. Flower, 15.6.04.
20 Beni Souef.—Loat, 8—-9.99.
5 Nile between Abu Tig and Assiut.—Loat, 1.12.99.
20 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10-11.00.
9 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
8 Assuan.—Loat, 12.99-1.00. |
1 Rosaires, Blue Nile.-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
3 Ina kore, Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile-——Loat, 6-14.4.01.
6 Ina kore, Fashoda.—Loat, 14—31.3.01.
1 Nile at Gondokoro.—Loat, 4.2.02.
oat, 740.09, 64,99)
The above list shows the species to be much rarer in the Blue Nile and in the White
Nile than in the Nile proper.
According to Ruppell, “Perince” is the name of this little fish on the Cairo Market.
The following list of native names is supplied by Mr. Loat :—“ A’la” (37), at Beni
Souef; “‘birbisa” (am,), at the Barrage N. of Cairo, Cairo, Kafr-el-Zayat ;
““fahada” (ss) is a fellaheen name for this fish in the neighbourhood of Cairo;
bazramecta ” (sido, ;»), another name at the Barrage N. of Cairo; “gela” (I>), at
Assiut; “fabra” (13), at Akhmim.
Young specimens caught in Lake Menzaleh and in small pools, in swampy reedy
ground, at Ghet-el-Nassara, were regarded by the fishermen as young “ hinnimma”
(Labeo).
' BARBUS. © 249
27. BARBUS TRISPILOPLEURA.
_ (Plate XLVII. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 437.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, three and a half times in the total
length. Snout rounded, not projecting, four times in the length of the head; diameter
of eye three times in the length of the head, interorbital. width twice and a half;
mouth terminal, its width four and a half times in the length of the head ; lips
feebly developed, not extending across the chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior
two-thirds, the posterior a little longer than the diameter of the eye, the space between
them not half the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with III 7-8 rays, last simple ray
not ossified, as long as the head; the border of the fin not emarginate; origin of the
fin slightly nearer the end of the snout than the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin
with III 5 rays, longest three-fifths to two-thirds length of head. Pectoral fin acutely
pointed, two-thirds the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below
anterior rays of dorsal. Cauda] fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a halt
to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales smooth, 27-28 - 2 between lateral
line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle. |
Brownish above, silvery on the sides and below; three round black spots on each
side of the body, the first and second above the lateral line, the third on the lateral
line at the base of the caudal; fins greyish.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total. lonaths Ais). Sarees: 26 py pale esas) ies ea ee
% oc) CANOE CATIOR Dot coy ithe ey Sees ea eae ees.
CE CabORE COUN oo) va a pce Sa ied ek eee ge ee
Geneth, of head) 2 ves 3.5 Se = Se ae etc Sie eet ap ee aes ae
Width of head . 6
Len oth of snout . 3
Diameter of eye 4
Interorbital width . Be
Longest ray Of dorado 20 os ok Teese tae oe Se ukt
3 Fee *- SIRRarsainhu it ok Oe a aiicter rm ane Re ete VEN ie 7
This species is founded on three specimens obtained by Mr. E. Degen at
Bahardar, Lake Tsana, June 4th, 1902. The fish resembles the South-east-African
B. trimaculatus, Peters, in general appearance, but the scales are fewer, the last
unbranched dorsal ray is weak, and the barbels are shorter. The more elongate
shape distinguishes it from B. perinee, its nearest ally.
ye
250 CYPRINIDZ.
28. BARBUS HUMILIS.
(Plate XLVII. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 436.
Depth of body three and one-third to three and three-fourths times in the total length,
length of head three and two-thirds to four times. Snout rounded, not projecting,
four times in the length of the head; diameter of eye three to three and a half times
in the length of the head, interorbital width twice and a half to twice and two-thirds ;
mouth terminal, its width one-fourth the length of the head; lips feebly developed,
not extending across the chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior about half
or three-fifths, the posterior two-thirds or three-fourths the diameter of the eye, the
space between them hardly half the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with III 8
rays, last simple ray not ossified, nearly as long as the head, the border otf the fin
emarginate ; origin of the fin a little nearer the end of the snout than the root of the
caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest three-fifths the length of the head.
Pectoral fin two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head, not reaching the
ventral; latter below anterior rays of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal
peduncle nearly twice as long as deep. Scales smooth, 29-51 zs 2 between lateral
line and ventral, 12 or 14 round caudal peduncle.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without caudal)... 6.2.66 ee wet ee iy rene ree | 56 47 36
hides oe) 8 11 aad pe aie can ashen cy Gre clearer oe A Fone Meg oe main aaa ay, i: 10
der CRG AON Aes 0ip= 2 Wen eee Es aoe Se Canes Geet a ae 15 12 10
Width of head ...... Pees te SL re temic Cana me rae et | - 6 | 5
TaD (ROO ISIS Foes nae a cain eeu aa A cys SOP RN ae oy GO aoe de | 4 3 24
Diameter of eye........... Reaches coche is ete Sete ee, SO | 5} 4. 3d
RPerer bt bo WADE oa is, «5 ok eos Epi act amet ie ee mee as 6 5 4
ier eo Lmnevion er elo: sacs ies tye eu en suet «Paes 24 2 2
3 ponterion (ariel 5 ash ee Pay Seis Fe oe ks | 34 3 | 23
Pr inal esripre- Vay eo domeal wi pargt. outs See accra. alee 14 12 | 10
3 ATOR Gey Ol title Ga ahcsteryieh. 58 eins set why eRe ee OK 84 74 | 6
cen A be ln RN oo ee a oa ee ee —— : — — = ——
BARBUS. 201
Silvery, brownish on the back; an indistinct darker lateral band; fins whitish,
transparent.
The largest specimen measures 65 millimetres.
About thirty specimens were collected at Bahardar, on Lake Tsana, by Mr. E. Degen,
on June 4th, 1902.
This small Barbus is easily distinguished from B. perince by its longer caudal
peduncle, and, as a rule, by the smaller number of scales in a transverse series; from
B. trispilopleura by the shorter barbels and the shorter caudal peduncle. It bears a
close resemblance to B. inermis, Peters, from the Revugo River, at Tette, Mozambique,
which differs, however, in the dorsal fin originating considerably in advance of the
ventrals.
29. BARBUS NEGLECTUS.
(Plate X LVII. fig. 5.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1903, p. 532.
Depth of body three to three and two-thirds times in the total length, length of
head four to four and one-third times. Snout rounded, slightly projecting beyond the
mouth, shorter than the eye, the diameter of which is twice and a half to three times
in the length of the head and equals the interorbital width; mouth small, terminal or
subinferior, its width about one-fourth the length of the head; lips feebly developed,
not extending across the chin; two barbels on each side, the anterior about half the
diameter of the eye, the posterior as long as the eye or a little shorter; the distance
between the barbels less than half the diameter of the eye. Dorsal fin with III 8 rays,
last simple ray not ossified and as long as or a little longer than the head, the border
of the fin emarginate; origin of the fin nearer the end of the snout than the root of
the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest three-fifths to two-thirds the length
of the head. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
head, not reaching the ventral; latter below or a little behind the origin of the dorsal.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once to once and one-third as long as
deep. Scales smooth, 26-30 =, 2 or 24 betwen lateral line and ventral fin,
12 round caudal peduncle.
The fish in spirit is yellowish with a broad silvery lateral band, the fins white and
transparent ; in some of the smaller specimens traces of the markings characteristic of
B. stigmatopygus are more or less distinct, especially a dark dot at the base of the
caudal fin and another at the base of the anal.
Total length 54 millimetres.
bo
a
bo
252 CYPRINIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total lenge eh-Cwitheut-emtdal) tui, wees Sve espe hake ee ee 48 47 25
Greatest depth ...... a kt ae tie eee 15 13 8
ihen@th Gb Weads 6°... Sy is ee age, ree atk ee eer eg etd Set a oem 11 12 64
Width TRICE SiC SA e+ SO Re ce per reraies epee Oey aie pS Seeing Met Oe st 64 6 33
Petra One Sis uc 5 eten'a eG tmd isasethee oh oe ee omnes wot mee le omer’ 3 3 13
EINGUEE Ol IOy GG .Ge 1a ce oetrt a yatcte y aae ade eee kal s oe enh 4 23
LePPOOOMOT bre WIC Ws a-ccer: eta mies Seat aa ait Oe Wee ee ene Soa + +4 24
Length of anterior barbel .......... Vie Geta, Renee (Rhee ab 2 2 14
i POSIORIOR AONE! mete eau ky oat at ee eee Sen, eta as + 4 24
‘5 last Sim Cle Tay Ol GOrsdle, <ae Sekhar ee ere te: 13 12 8
és Donmesteray 501. Bite 4.0 ah led aad Ae ee ences se, 7 7 43
I have examined numerous specimens, which I had at first regarded as young of
5. perince. About sixty were obtained by Mr. Loat at a regulator near Luxor between
Oct. Sth and Nov. 12th, 1900, two between Luxor and Assuan, Sept. 1900, and four
in the Damietta branch of the Nile, close to the Barrage, downstream side, on Aug. 2nd,
1899. One specimen was caught at Ghet-el-Nassara, on April 28th, 1899, in a trench
leading directly into Lake Menzaleh. The same species has also been found in the
Blue Nile by Capt. 8. Flower, at Wad Medine and Rosaires, in June 1905.
B. neglectus is very nearly related to B. radiatus, Peters, from the Revugo River at
Lette, Mozambique, which, to judge from the description and figure, differs in the
Jarger head and the pectoral reaching the base of the ventral. It differs from
B. humilis, Blgr., in the shorter caudal peduncle, the longer posterior barbel, and
one or two scales less in the transverse series. ‘The latter character also distinguishes
it from B. perince. |
BARBUS. 253
30. BARBUS WERNERI.
(Plate XLVII. fig. 6.)
Barbus miolepis, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xu. 1903, p. 532 (non Boulenger, 1902).
Barbus werneri, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1905, 1. p. 63.
Depth of body three to three and a half times in the total length, length of head
three and a half to four times. Snout rounded, about four times in the length of the
head; diameter of eye twice and a half to three and one-third times in the length of
the head and equal to the interorbital width ; mouth terminal, its width one-fifth to
one-fourth the length of the head; lips feebly developed, not extending across the
chin; barbels two on each side, the anterior a little shorter than the eye, the posterior
as long as the eye or a little longer, the space between them not half the diameter of
the eye. Dorsal fin with III 7-8 rays, last simple ray not ossified, nearly as long as
the head, the border of the fin scarcely emarginate; origin of the fin equally distant
from the end of the snout and from the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with III 5
rays, longest half to three-fifths the length of the head. Pectoral fin acutely
pointed, a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral; latter below anterior
rays of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and one-third to
once and a half as long as deep. Scales smooth, 24—20 are 2 between lateral line
and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Yellowish, in spirit, with the sides silvery and bearing three to eight black dots or
round spots, the second or third below the dorsal, the last on the caudal peduncle near
the caudal fin ; fins whitish, transparent.
The largest specimen measures 40 millimetres.
Of the sixteen specimens of this species examined by me, thirteen have 8 branched
rays to the dorsal and three have 7.
The type specimens were obtained at four different places on the White Nile by
Mr. Loat, viz., at Lake No, on Feb. 22nd, 1901, at Fashoda, in a kore, on March 16th,
1901, at Kaka on March 17th, 1901, and at Gondokoro, on March 6th, 1902. I had
taken them, on a superficial examination, for young B. perince, but they are sufficiently
distinguished from the latter species by the lower number of scales. At Lake No they
were associated with two other dwarf species, B. stigmatopygus and Bb. pumilus, at
Fashoda with B. anema and young &. perince. ‘The species has since been rediscovered
at Alexandria by Mr. Schoeller, and in small ponds at Wady Halfa and at Gondokoro
by Dr. F. Werner, after whom the species 1s named.
In addition to these specimens, I have examined four more, from East Africa, which
LS
Or
es
CYPRINIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3. | 4
| Gumi nota GvilaOlh GAUCAL) <1a4 sos eae shes Sas oe ee 3d 31 30 22
| Greatest depth ...... Vesines S Cnbias evs oes < bead cest atoms as 11 9 10 63
DOORN Ok Cea cee as) Ste ae eh ae ea ee eal eee 9 8 8 63
EW ORG cory Wotrccr ke stan S Cae enor eae eS grees oe a See 5 4} 43 3
Den Pih Ob eNONbe ois fe, ela a eee ane te ie a ow an 2 24 24 | 13
PA ICDOR OL Oy Cs teavnea tetas tissctraas te bayicees 2 ak nay. ceo de Ge 3 3 3 24
SP RECTOU GML W LIN 9 eg oes Spey A oe ek gone eee ety eas ew es BEES 3 3 3 24
PCRE NOL ANUSPiOt -UdRDe) = 8 eee ape pce Ow ns ial eS 24 24 24 14
. DOSIOPIOL AUG! ance asme eset aes yeas os oe Ra 3 3 34 22
re lastanibiple way Ot onsale ysis Gasee eg eo ne ase Bem. eds 8 6
= fOmee sh Tay Ole. 5s tak woken ae Aa ene ee 6 5 5 34
1. Alexandria.—Schoeller. 3,4. Lake No.—Loat.
2. Kaka.——Loat:
I am inclined to refer to the same species, although the black spots on the sides are
either absent or very faintly indicated. ‘Three of them, obtained in the Rovuma River,
80 miles from the coast, were received from Sir J. Kirk in 1864, whilst the fourth, from
Lake Rudolf, forms part of the collection made by Dr. Donaldson Smith. The largest
measures 45 millimetres. Sq. 24—26 a The Lake Rudolf specimen has been recorded
by Dr. Giinther* as: “ Barbus sp. A very young specimen, 5 cm. long, from Lake
Rudolf, cannot be specifically determined.” It is a female, full of ova,
Specimens were aiso obtained in Lake Abaia by Baron Maurice de Rothschild in
1905.
* Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 224.
BARBUS. 259
31. BARBUS DOGGETTI.
(Plate XLVI. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xiii. 1904, p. 450.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, three and two-thirds times in the
total length. Snout rounded, not projecting, three and one-third times in the length
of the head; diameter of eye three and two-thirds times in the length of the head,
interorbital width three times; mouth terminal, its width three and a half times in the
length of the head; lips feebly developed, not extending across the chin; barbels two
on each side, minute, the distance between them two-thirds the diameter of the eye.
Dorsal fin with III 8 rays, last simple ray not ossified, as long as the head; the border
of the fin scarcely emarginate; origin of the fin much nearer the end of the snout than
the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with IIT 5 rays, longest two-thirds the length of
the head. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, three-fourths the length of the head, not quite
reaching the ventral; latter below anterior rays of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked.
Caudal peduncle nearly twice as long as deep. Scales smooth, 29 at 2 between lateral
line and ventral fin, 12 round caudal peduncle.
Brownish above, silvery on the sides and below; a plumbeous lateral streak ; fins
whitish (in spirit).
Measurements (in millimetres).
Totel leneth ec et ee ee ee eee
2 she WRU OU eae) eae ge en ge ere ere
Greéatest depth oy ae eee ee ee eee ee er eee
Egnath ob head Sis a Se a a ees es
AV i lthinGt ea de <a Se eee ge ee
Lien piiGb BnOtt: tye ose Sa he ee eae et eee 8
Diameter of eye 6
Interorbital width . NR get eo re ES eae eee (Es
WModth of miming soso aoe ee ea ee ee eee eee 64
Lonugest-Tay. Of GOtsih-« <4 5") So! a, Ae ne ee eee
i. RAGWEED (|) | cone pea eee in eer Sarat RO AAC eeererctn. 4 emt eS STL
Lens ok pectoris fee a ones Cee oe eee eee eee
A single specimen from Lake Victoria, collected in 1903 by the late Mr. W. G.
Doggett, and presented to the British Museum by Col. Delmé Radcliffe.
‘The minute barbels distinguish this species from all its allies of the B. perince group.
Examples of this species appear to have been first noticed by Hilgendorf (Sitzb. Ges.
naturf. Fr. Berlin, 1888, p. 78) as related to B. gobionoides, C. & V., and 2B. inermis,
Peters, and afterwards referred, with doubt, to BL. pagenstechert, Fischer, by Pfeffer
(Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. €6).
256 CYPRINIDA.
32. BARBUS MAGDALEN i.
(Plate XLVI. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 437.
Depth of body three and one-fifth to three and three-fourths times in the total
length, length of head four and one-third to five times. Head small; snout rounded,
not prominent, shorter than the eye, the diameter of which is twice and two-thirds to
three times in the length of the head; interorbital width twice and a half in the length
of the head; mouth narrow, with very thin lips; no barbels. Dorsal fin with LIT 8
rays, last simple ray not ossified and as long as the head; the border of the fin slightly
notched ; origin of the fin midway between the end of the snout and the root of the
caudal fin or a little nearer the former. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest two-thirds
the length of the head, widely separated from the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin
acutely pointed, three-fourths the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter
below origin of dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle twice as long as
deep. Scales with fan-like striation, 29-32 a, 1 or 14 between lateral line and ventral
fin, 10 round caudal peduncle; lateral line descending very abruptly towards the
ventral fin.
Silvery, yellowish olive on the back, with a more or less distinct darker lateral
stripe; fins yellow.
Measurememts (in millimetres).
sO Tries CaN J, eee tate aon ae Pa aa 71
= » (without caudal) . 63
Greatest depth . 19
Length of head . 14
Width of head “
Length of snout 3
Diameter of eye AL
Interorbital width . a+
Longest ray of dorsal . 15
ie sar aon i 10
This species, dedicated to Mrs. Minchin, differs from the following species without
barbels in the greater number of scales in the lateral line and in the longer caudal
peduncle. It is described from twelve specimens obtained by Mr. Degen at Bunjako,
Lake Victoria, in November 1905.
Lo
Or
“I
BARBUS.
33. BARBUS ANEMA.
(Plate XLVII. fig. 7.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1903, p. 533.
Depth of body twice and two-thirds to three and one-third times in the total length,
length of head three and one-third to four times. Snout rounded, not prominent,
shorter than the eye, the diameter of which is twice and three-fourths to three times in
the length of the head and nearly equals the interorbital width ; mouth small, terminal;
lips feebly developed, not extending across the chin; no barbels. Dorsal fin with
III 8 rays, last simple ray not ossified and nearly as long as head; the border of the
fin scarcely notched; origin of the fin midway between the end of the snout and the
root of the caudal. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest about half the length of the
head, not reaching the root of the caudal. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, three-fourths
to four-fifths the length of the head, not reaching the ventral; latter a little behind
the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle not or but
slightly longer than deep. Scales smooth, 22-25 a, 2 or 24 between lateral line and
ventral fin, 8 to 10 round caudal peduncle.
As preserved in spirit, the examples of this little fish are yellowish, silvery on the
sides, the fins white and transparent ; there is usually more or less of blackish pigment
about the borders of the scales above the lateral line, and this pigment may form
a conspicuous network dividing the scales of the dorsal area; about the lateral
line dark dots are usually more crowded, and in some specimens they may be developed
to such an extent as to form a black lateral streak, which may be continued on
each side of the snout after passing through the eye; specimens thus marked bear a
close superficial resemblance to, and have been confounded with, the West-African
B. camptacanthus, Blkr.*
The largest specimen examined by me measures 37 millimetres.
The first specimens, three in number, were obtained by Mr. Loat in the Nile
between Luxor and Assuan, between the latter half of August and the beginning of
September, 1900; about fifty were got in a kore at Fashoda, on March 1odth, 1901,
and seventeen in the Nile at Gondokoro, on February 4th and 22nd and March 3rd,
1902. 2
Barbus brazze, Pellegrin, from the Congo, and B. je, Blgr., from South Cameroon,
are other African species of this genus in which barbels are absent. The former
differs from 2B. anema in having as many as 28 scales along the lateral line, the
latter in having the caudal peduncle nearly twice as long as deep, and a very peculiar
coloration.
* Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 263.
to
Cr
QO
CYPRINIDA.
Measurenents (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3. 4 5
Gta tei Mihn warhol CHUGH) see saloons ass sae we PRN 31 30 27 27 23
recite rept ec Grcrgyat rics ov cela a ey a aka te etieags 10 G. 9 i) 7
Mien nO LOH ORS ets opts esd wy poe alleys 6 ane ape eh ae aps Bates shop vec 83 8 8 oh 7
A Clase ciasi tet: Sieh ieet eraar eta sea car ay) Ska tapas nase Reka mere tney TMNT a 4 34 34 3
AGI G LIMON BNO Say a theks bet eat we cee me Be o mB tee 2 2 2 2 12 |
Diameter of eye .......-. dete Maer abet Ahad mecca |) cates 35 34 3 3 243
TeWenOvile Maw idi si. oi Meveutes te torial aw, «a 10 oe BA dash S8tclaa Byhh asDe
WES py Gils THOUUIe | no? cuca ee etre aan Pc Oe an a 2 24 2 2 14
Diener leh empleo Cay Ol COPSan sik agate ee we sce ohn 8 84 8 6 6
is USNC Si PAVE Ol Olid lene, crime pene erm pe ne ee 4 5) 45 4 34
Namber or branched fayscot dorsal. os ile es ee Sis adda: 8 8 8 8 8
Ks Scolog AMAT ORAL ING? 14s: SIMie eth ates be Atte ehh ieee 24 22 23 24 23
- 5, in transverse series above lateral line ........ os 34 3% 34 34
J a i ge tra OlONV a WabOT Ae MMe boniny iarcnabs 35 34 34 34 34
vi » between lateral ine AMV OARS, Tiel pans bo Nena 2 24 2 24 2
* oor POMMUCAUIOE DCC UMGIO™ "oc ott tee eae a gale a 8 10 9 10 9
1,2. Nile between Assuan and Luxor. 4,5. Nile at Gondokoro.
3. Kore at Fashoda.
34. BARBUS STIGMATOPYGUS.
(Plate XLVII. fig. 8.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xu. 1903, p. 533.
Depth of body equal or nearly equal to the length of the head, three to three and a
half times in the total length. Snout rounded, not prominent, much shorter than the
eye, the diameter of which is three times in the length of the head and a little less
than the interorbital width; mouth small, terminal; lips feebly developed, not
extending across the chin; no barbels. Dorsal fin with III & rays, last simple ray
not ossified and as long or nearly as long as the head; the border of the fin feebly
BARBUS. 259
notched ; origin of the fin midway between the end of the snout and the root of the
caudal. Anal fin with III 5 rays, longest three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the
head, not reaching the caudal. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, a little shorter than the
head, reaching or nearly reaching the ventral; latter originating below first ray of
dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and
: 32-41 : “3
two-thirds as long as deep. Scales smooth, 22—25 51.7, 13 between lateral line series
and ventral fin, 9 or 11 round caudal peduncle. Lateral line reduced to 3 to 6
tubules on the anterior scales.
The fish in spirit is yellowish with silvery gloss, the fins white and transparent ;
a small round black spot at the base of the caudal and another at the base of the
anal; one or two further spots often present on the middle line of the side.
The largest specimen measures (in millimetres) :—
otal LOMOh sao" ee ae oe pee me eat ae eae eee nae a
= aa vr" Wao Cerda s «, Seto! hoger tee ae tape Cen ee
Greatest depth . 6
Length of head . 6 ‘
Width of head 3
Length of snout. 13
Diameter of eye. 2
Interorbital width . 24
Longest ray of dorsal . 6
‘3 ot 2 Bel 4.
Mr. Loat obtained 22 specimens of this little fish in Lake No, White Nile, on
February 22nd, 1901. |
Apart from the different markings, B. stigmatopygus differs from the closely allied
B. pumilus in the shorter snout and the greater number of scales in a longitudinal
serles, viz. 22 to 20 instead of 19 or 20; from 2B. anema in the longer caudal peduncle,
the incomplete lateral line, and the presence of one scale less in the transverse series.
35. BARBUS PUMILUS.
(Plate XLVIITI. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 444.
Depth of body equal or nearly equal to the length of the head, about three times in
the total length. Snout rounded, not prominent, a little shorter than the eye, the
diameter of which is three times in the length of the head and a little less than the
interorbital width ; mouth small, terminal; lips feebly developed, not extending across
the chin; no barbels. Dorsal fin with III 8 rays, last simple ray not ossified and a
2L2
260 CYPRINIDZ.
little shorter than the head; the border of the fin feebly notched; origin of the
fin midway between the end of the snout and the root of the caudal. Anal fin with
III 95 rays, its longest ray about half the length of the head, not reaching the caudal.
Pectoral fin acutely pointed, shorter than the head, reaching, or nearly reaching, the
ventral; latter originating below the first ray of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked.
Caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and a half as long as deep. Scales smooth,
19-21 oe 15 between lateral line series, which is formed of very deep scales, and
ventral fin, 9 round caudal peduncle. Lateral line reduced to 3 or 4 tubules on the
anterior scales.
A coloured sketch made by Mr. Loat at Lake No shows the body to have been in
life of a yellowish olive above and white beneath, the scales edged with black; a black
streak on each side of the head, passing through the eye; a vermilion oblique streak
along the dorsal and anal, with one or two blackish ones; a blackish vertical streak
at the root of the caudal.
The following are the measurements (in millimetres) of the largest of the twelve
specimens brought home by Mr. Loat:—
Oia On OU acess 2 ei eee on es we ae te OO
= Se FEEL OAs gg eet a ee Se eee
Greatest depth . 7
Length of head . See are ae ae eae re eee 7
pV eer eat nue at aarke prey eee ee ee Ls eek area oe 9 Ee 3
Length of snout 2
Diameter of eye 2
Interorbital width . 3
Teeee) iy OL BOS ae ke eae age ee se es aa 6
ss ae Spree ee ne oe ee te het eon oer gies goeg st a gaa 3d
This dwarfed arbus, remarkable for its large scales, incomplete lateral line, and
the absence of barbels, was found only at one place by Mr. Loat, viz. at the mouth of
Lake No, White Nile, on February 25rd, 1901.
BARILIUS. 261
). BARILIUS.
Barilius, part., Hamilton Buchanan, Fishes Ganges, p. 384 (1822).
Opsaridium, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1853, p. 783, and Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 58 (1868).
Pelotrophus, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 314, and Cat. Fishes, vii. p. 320 (1868).
Barilius, Giinther, Cat. Fish. t. c. p. 286 ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 231 (1901).
Engraulicypris, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1893, p. 626.
Body more or less compressed, with rounded belly, covered with small or moderately
large scales. Lateral line low down, following the ventral outline of the body and
running along the lower part of the caudal peduncle. Mouth large, oblique, without
lips, with or without barbels*. Suborbitals large, covering the whole or the greater
part of the cheek. Giull-membranes narrowly united to the isthmus. Dorsal fin
without ossified ray, with 9 to 13 rays, 7 to 10 of which are branched, originating
behind the vertical of the ventrals and before that of the anal. Anal fin with 12 to 22
rays. A scaly process at the base of the ventrals. Pharyngeal teeth conical, hooked,
in two or three series.
The bones of the skull are rather thin; a large supraorbital bone is present and
articulates with the postorbitals; the premaxillary and the maxillary are much
elongate, the latter extending to or a little beyond the extremity of the former; the
occipital crest is very low and short. The vertebre number 36 to 48. The following
are the numbers in the two Nile species :—
AEF 29PEL OU BUS i ae aa a eg as Gt ip een ep ane es ea ty meer
Pie LOUD are 5 ge eae a et aa 2 ee pee es ee
The air-bladder of B. niloticus is peculiar in its second division being narrow and
tube-like, a condition very similar to that observed by Mr. Rowntree in Nannocharax 2
The digestive canal is short. In a specimen measuring 60 millim., without the caudal
fin, and the body-cavity 28, the anterior chamber of the air-bladder measures 6 in
length and 5 in diameter, the posterior 7 in length and 1 in diameter, the digestive
canal 50. In #&. loati the posterior chamber of the air-bladder is not so much
reduced, but is comparatively small for a Cyprinid; although rather broad in front
it tapers to a narrow tube behind, and its whole length is only a little greater than
that of the anterior chamber.
In both the Nile species there are 15 or 16 rays in the pectoral fin and 10
(8 branched) in the ventral.
The genus Barilius is represented by about twenty species in South-eastern Asia and
* Barbels are absent in all the African species.
Tt Tr. Linn. Soe. (2) Zool. ix. 1903, p. 60.
262 CYPRINID.
China, and by fifteen in Tropical Africa and the Nile. The two Nile species are easily
distinguished by means of the following diagnoses * :—
B. niloticus.—D. III 7-8; A. IIT 10-12; Sq. 36-40 22°, 2-21,12; Dorsal entirely
a4?
in advance of the anal.
Bb. loati.—D. III 7-9; A. III 12-15; Sq. 51-58 ae 2-3, 16; Dorsal partly
above the anal. ;
1. BARILIUS NILOTICUS.
(Plate XLVIII. fig. 3.)
Leuciscus niloticus, Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. i. ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xvii.
p. 311 (1844). : |
Leuciscus thebensis, Joannis, t. c. pl. xi.
Alburnus niloticus, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 328 (1846).
Opsarius thebensis, Heckel, t. c. p. 329, pl. i.
Barilius niloticus, Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii. p. 293 (1868), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 263 (1869) ;
Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, cili. i. 1894, p. 461 ; Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. i.
Pe LOZ. (138990).
Barilius thebensis, Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 263.
Alburnus alexandrinus, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, cii. i. 1893, p. 240, pl. iii. fig. 3.
Depth of body three and a half to five times in the total length, length of head
four to four and a half times. Head twice to twice and a half as long as broad;
snout rather pointed, not or but slightly projecting beyond the mouth, not longer than
the eye, the diameter of which is contained three and one-third to four times in the
length of the head; interorbital width equal to the diameter of the eye or a little
greater; mouth extending to below anterior border of pupil or centre of eye; no
barbels; suborbital bones nearly entirely covering the cheek in the adult, the second
narrow and not extending posteriorly beyond the centre of the eye. -Gill-rakers few
and short. Dorsal fin with III 7-8 rays, above the space between the ventrals and the
anal, originating midway between the nostrils or the eyes and the root of the caudal
fin; the first branched ray longest, two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the head.
Anal fin with III 10-12 rays, the first branched ray longest, one-half to three-fifths
length of head. Pectoral acutely pointed, as long as or a little shorter than the head,
not reaching the ventral; latter fin much shorter, not reaching the vent. Caudal fin
forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as deep.
Scales with radiating strie, 86-40 jee 2 or 24 between the lateral line and the root
of the ventral fin, 12 round the caudal peduncle.
* The scales are counted first in the lateral line, secondly in a transverse series in front of the dorsal fin,
above and below the lateral line, thirdly between the lateral line and the root of the ventral fin, and
fourthly round the caudal peduncle.
263
BARILIUS.
‘saypos pup shot-uyf fo ssaqunu pub (Sorjeull][Tu UL) spuawansnayy
‘qvuory—"tg]vyy ApUAL “ET. ‘AystyQ—"dosiny raddy ‘eqqor °6 ‘FLOTT— "OTN BIJOSOY, *F
TUBUINON =" SF OUTC). “Heo joNeGines. lo Ts ‘yeoT—‘uenssy °9 ‘9 ‘e
‘qvoT—‘utnssy puv JoxnyT uoanjog ‘ZT ‘OT 40S OXON: Sek fe ‘yworT—"pnuavuarg ‘¢ “7
G G G |G G G G1 -G CG obo Be ae MP acl 2 Ne aie * Cae ts Sata: ee Eom ELE OULU [G1oqvy Uoomyoq = ** Be
fe (rehige, ee wires Fe ieee ler “Te re ie ewer ee | ee Come Teaesepmojed : “s ut
#¢ lfe-\€¢ |e [9° fe \fo Fe ite “Fo. 20. Fe J7¢ if¢ j79 |“7*° (++ ++ our [eseqey ovoge sores egioasuey ur“ ‘.
see | 6e| Le! or| se] se) oe se se] se | or | 6 | oe | op fcc terete eee oury pesoqey ur sopeas «
MG CS) PA PP PaO a 2° me LA ts hs COS 2Y We gee ea rai 37 2g 4 x a
leg) ee ig Beets (cae ey dg. ana lag! dees ota: me ee hem Stee ied nonauend 30 saan
+ hexte fe de | or errl ert ee at Per or Or eL tt ee e seetsesnesess» “ypzoioed 70 yaBuery
eo eee 9 G 9 g g 9 6 6 6 or | 6 Of ee Ba Ge gs RS aa em (ro ae 6
9 9 29 8 8 g 6 is oH OM eagle el OS GIB ates Mee A gm ee ree Tega Ges, deter aes os jesop jo Lea ysoSuory
an e e ize [ze r z 7 G G G g £g¢ |2¢ Cindi oe a a fe dm Re ia or re ee reese ess s UaDTM TeTIGLOLOVUT
fz iE. \eg e @ Ze ae :; C fe G Go ee eee pols wan aie te roe Siete a dias, 5 see lagi ema ‘sess fg Jo roqoulvIg
Be lean ioe eae e e r r 2 G G G Gar te geome eee ee" * see eee ager PP le fon ae ea SNS roel De aaa ge Loe
Bee St By ee Waele |e ee at Pee hog |e cae: eae ee ae ee Lee veeeeveeee sess Raq JO UIDTAL
Are © OTT OF BLE er Per on Btscor | 2p | ar her eee een eee centre eet t ete e eee eee eee ees ppaq jo ByStEr]
ole le |e le lorlerlerl or orl el! orl et ee Fee ipog Jo ydep ysoqweay
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264 CYPRINIDA.
As preserved in spirit, this Sardine-like little fish is silvery, darker on the back, with
colourless, transparent fins. De Joannis, its discoverer, describes it as silvery white in
life, shot with gold on the belly, brownish green on the back, with two fine darker lines
on each side, the lower of which corresponds to the so-called lateral line, the fins pale
yellow. A coloured sketch made by Mr. Loat at Assuan represents the fish as silvery,
the back brown, shot with reddish gold, the sides shot with pale lilac, the sides of the
head with pale steely blue; the fins whitish, the caudal with some lemon-yellow on
each lobe; the iris silvery.
Among the several hundreds of specimens examined, measuring from 20 to 95 milli-
metres, I have not been able to detect any external sexual characters.
I have counted the fin-rays and scales in sixty-five specimens. 7 branched dorsal
rays occurs three times and 8 sixty-two times; 10 branched anal rays twenty-one times ;
11 forty times, 12 four times; 36 scales in the lateral line once, 37 nine times,
58 thirteen times, 39 twenty-four times, 40 eighteen times.
This species was discovered at Thebes by de Joannis and described by him under
two different names. The types of his descriptions, for which I applied at the Paris
Museum, where they are supposed to be preserved, seem to have disappeared.
De Joannis says the fish occur in bands and are caught in great quantities, being
excellent fried. The Arabs call them Bibie, like the Chelwthiops described further on.
They occur in greatest abundance after the flood. ‘The next record of the fish is in a
paper by Steidachner, published in 1893, from specimens obtained in the Mahmudie
Canal near Alexandria; the name Albwrnus alexandrinus was proposed for it in
ignorance of de Joannis’s previous descriptions, an oversight which was corrected
in the following year. |
Large numbers were collected in the Nile, from its mouth to Gondokoro, by Mr. Leat,
to whom I am indebted for the following notes :—‘“ At Samannud, not many are
caught at high Nile, but a fair number when the Nile is going down. Occur in great
abundance at Assuan ; among great numbers of them I obtained, on January 7th, 1900,
my first specimen of Chelethiops bibie.” ‘The fish has also been found in the Blue Nile
by Capt. S. Flower.
The existence of the same species in the Niger was ascertained from collections made
by Dr. C. Christy and Dr. W. J. Ansorge, and Mr. O. Neumann’s collection contains
specimens from the Omo River.
List of specimens examined :—
Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 22.7.99.
Damietta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 3.8.99.
Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of Barrage.—Loat, 30.7.99.
Near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 11-12.03.
Nile at Beni Souef.—Loat, 8.99.
In an irrigation canal near Luxor.—Loat, 11.10.00.
kK oO w
H> H= Ov
BARILIUS. 265
100 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10-11.00.
670 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9.10.00.
15 Assuan.—Loat, 7.1.00.
160 Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
40 Nile at Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23.2.00.
15 Omdurman.—Loat, 5.01.
4 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
10 Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
4 Gondokoro.—Loat, 4.2.02, 22.2.02. |
7 Omo River, between Malo and Koscha.—O. Neumann, 20.2.01.
2 Jebba, Upper Niger—Dr. C. Christy, 1899.
2 QOssomari, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
2, BARILIUS LOATI.
(Plate XLVIII. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vii. 1901, p. 80.
Depth of body four to five times in total length, length of head three and three-
fourths to four and one-third times. Head twice to twice and one-third as long as
broad; snout pointed, projecting beyond the mouth, once and a half to twice as long
as the eye in the adult ; diameter of the eye five to six times in the length of the head
in the adult, about four times in the young; mouth extending to below centre or
posterior third of eye; no barbels; second suborbital deep, extending posteriorly to the
vertical of the posterior border of the eye; the naked space between the preoperculum
and the suborbitals measures about one-third the width of the latter. Gill-rakers
few and very short, rudimentary. Dorsal fin with III 7—9 rays, originating at equal
distance from the occiput and the root of the caudal, or a little nearer the latter, the
second half of its base above the anal; its anterior rays longest, three-fifths to
two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with III 12-15 rays, notched, often
produced into a convex anterior lobe, the anterior rays much longer than the others,
about as long as the longest dorsals. Pectoral fin pointed, three-fourths to four-fifths
the length of the head, not reaching the ventral, which is much shorter and does not
reach beyond the vent. Caudal fin deeply forked, crescentic when fully spread out.
Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds to twice as long as deep. Scales with radiating
strie, 51-58 aoe 2 to 8 between the lateral line and the root of the ventral fin,
16 round the caudal peduncle.
Males differ from females in the more pronounced anterior lobe of the anal fin, the
rays of which are thickened during the breeding-season and studded with pearl-like
granular excrescences; the snout also bears nuptial excrescences, in the form of
numerous small, closely-set, subconical tubercles.
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_
BARILIUS. 2607
In spirit, the fish is silvery white, brown or steel-blue on the back, with ten to
sixteen more or less distinct bluish-black vertical bars on each side of the body above
the lateral line.
The following description of the colour was drawn up by Mr. Loat from fresh specimens
at Derr and at Gondokoro :—“ The whole fish silvery, the upper surface dark sage-
green, slightly tinged with brown, the lower surface white; the vertical lateral bars
dull blue; fins white, tinged with pink or orange or pale buff; fine black lines along
the rays of the dorsal and of the caudal; the latter fin edged with black and with some
reddish orange in the middle of each lobe; a ring of orange colour round the pupil.”
This handsome fish, which reaches a length of 185 millimetres, was discovered at
Derr by Mr. Loat in January 1900. Fourteen specimens were caught soon after, in
February and September—October, at Derr and Assuan, and, on February oth, at night,
in a small, shallow backwater of the Nile at Ibrim, near Wady Halfa, but the species
appears to be uncommon in that part of the Nile. Large numbers, on the other hand,
were obtained at Gondokoro in February and March 1902.
The species has also been found in the Blue Nile by Capt. 8S. Flower, and in the
Omo River by Mr. O. Neumann and by Mr. Zaphiro.
List of specimens examined :—
Nile between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Nile at Assuan.— Loat, 26.9.00.
Derr, Nubia.—Loat, 31.1.00, 3.2.00. (Types.)
Ibrim, Nubia.—Loat, 5.2.00. (Types.)
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
47 Gondokoro.— Loat, 16.2.02-19.3.02.
Zendo R., affluent of the Maze R. (Omo), 4300 feet.—Zaphiro, 10.7.05.
Omo R., between Malo and Koscha.—O. Neumann, 20.2.01.
he or OS fOr
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Having counted the fin-rays and scales in sixty specimens, I find 7 branched rays in
the dorsal eight times, 8 forty-eight times, and 9 four times; 12 branched rays in the
anal four times, 13 seventeen times, 14 twenty-four times, and 6 fifteen times; 51 scales
in the lateral line once, 52 six times, 53 six times, 54 six times, 55 sixteen times,
56 twelve times, 57 nine times, and 58 four times.
Called “ mergan”’ (,\>,«) at Assuan.
The Sarilius which has been named after Mr. Leonard Loat, in recognition of his
valuable services to Ichthyology, is very nearly related to B. senegalensis, Steindachner
(Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxi. i. 1870, p. 564, pl. v. fig. 2), from the Senegal, which appears to
differ only in the higher number of scales in the lateral line, viz. 59 to 63.
268 CYPRINIDA.
6. NEOBOLA.
Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xv. 1895, p. 56; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc.
1903,-11.p:7832%
Body strongly compressed, but belly not keeled, covered with moderately large
scales. Lateral line low down, following the ventral outline of the body and running
along the lower part of the caudal peduncle. Mouth moderate or large, oblique,
without lips; no barbels. Suborbitals large, covering the cheek. Gull-membranes
narrowly united to the isthmus. Dorsal fin without ossified ray, with 9 to 11 rays,
7 or 8 of which are branched, originating above or slightly before or behind the vertical
of the origin of the anal. Anal fin with 18 to 20 rays. <A scaly process at the base of
the ventral fin. Pharyngeal teeth conical, hooked, in two series (3, 5—6, 3).
Neobola is a connecting-link between Barilius and Chelethiops, differing from the
former in the more posterior position of the dorsal fin, from the latter in the absence of
a ventral keel and in the wider separation of the pectoral fins.
Three species are known :—W. botteg?, Vinciguerra, from Lake Rudolf, Gallaland,
and Somaliland ; NV. minuta, Blgr., from Lake Tanganyika; and WN. argentea, Pellegrin,
from Lake Victoria. ‘The three species are very closely related; the third is, however,
readily distinguished from the first by its smaller mouth, not extending beyond the
vertical of the anterior border of the eye, and from both the first and the second by its
smaller scales. As may be seen from the table of measurements (p. 269), in which
particulars of several specimens of WV. dottegi and N. minuta are given for comparison
with WV. argentea, the length of the pectoral fin varies much in the former species, and
may not reach the base of the ventrals.
1. NEOBOLA ARGENTEA.
(Plate XLVI. fig. 5.)
Pellegrin, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1904, p. 184, and Mém. Soe. Zool. France,
xvil. 1905, p. 178, fig.
Depth of body four and one-fourth to four and three-fourths times in the total length,
length of the head three and three-fourths to four and one-third times. Head about
twice as long as broad; snout acutely pointed, not projecting beyond the mouth,
slightly shorter than the diameter of the eye, which measures nearly one-third the
length of the head and equals the interorbital width ; mouth extending to below the
269
NEOBOLA.
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270 CYPRINIDA.
anterior border of the eye; suborbital bones covering the greater part of the cheek.
Gill-rakers moderately long, 16 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
II 7 rays, its origin corresponding to or slightly in advance of that of the anal, nearly
twice as far from the end of the snout as from the base of the caudal fin; the first
branched ray longest, about two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with
Il 15-16 rays, the first branched ray as long as is the dorsal. Pectoral fin acutely
pointed, a little shorter than the head, not extending to the root of the ventral.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle twice as long as deep. Scales without
distinct strie, 48-52 a, 1 between the lateral line and the root of the ventral,
16 round the caudal peduncle.
Yellowish brown above, silvery on the sides ; caudal fin bright yellow, the other fins
white or greyish.
This species has been discovered in Kavirondo Bay by M. Alluaud, and described
by Dr. Pellegrin. The particulars of two specimens, obtained from the Faris Museum,
are given in the table (p. 269), together with those of several examples of the closely
allied V. bottege and of the type of WV. minuta. Specimens were also obtained at
Bunjako by Mr. Degen in November 1908.
The following names have been bestowed by Cuvier and Valenciennes (Hist. Poiss.
XVil. p. 393) on unpublished coloured sketches by Rifaud, which may be referable to
Barilivs or to Neobola:—Leuciscus gille, L. bisarre, L. cir.
CHELETHIOPS. ee
7. CHELAUTHIOPS.
Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. i. p. 101 (1899), and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 236 (1901).
Body strongly compressed, the belly keeled between the pectoral fins, covered with
rather large scales. Lateral line low down, following the ventral outline of the body
and running along the lower part of the caudal peduncle. Mouth large, oblique,
without lips; no barbels. Suborbitals large, covering the cheek. Gill-membranes
narrowly united to the isthmus. Dorsal fin without ossified ray, with 9 or 10 rays,
7 of which are branched, originating behind the vertical of the origin of the anal.
Anal fin with 19 or 20 rays. Pectoral fins elongate, in contact or narrowly separated
on the mid-ventral line. A scaly process at the base of the ventral fins. Pharyngeal
teeth conical, hooked, in two series (3, 5—4, 3). |
The pectoral fins are composed of 11] or 12 rays and the ventrals of 9 or 10. The
skeleton is similar to that of Baril‘us, but the coracoids form together a very strong
keel. Vertebrae, in C. bidie, 36 (14422). The intestinal canal is short and, as in
Barilius niloticus, the posterior chamber of the air-bladder is reduced and tube-like ;
in a specimen 40 millim. long (without caudal fin), the body-cavity measuring 18, the
anterior chamber_ef the air-bladder measures 4 and the posterior 5.
This genus comprises two species: C. elongatus, Blgr., from the Upper Congo and
Ubanghi, and the Nilotic C. dzdze.
1. CHELAXTHIOPS BIBIE.
(Plate XLVIII. fig. 5.)
Leuciscus bibie, Joannis, Mag. de Zool. 1835, iv. pl. iv.
Pelecus bibie, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Hgypt. ii. p. 329 (1846).
Barilius bilie, Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. 11. p. 264 (1869).
Chelethiops bibie, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 263.
Depth of body four to five times in the total length, length of head four to four and
two-thirds times. Head twice to twice and one-third as long as broad; snout acutely
pointed, slightly projecting beyond the mouth, not longer than the eye, the diameter
of which is contained three to four times in the length of the head; intercrbital width
equal to the diameter of the eye or a little greater; mouth extending to below the
centre of the eye; suborbital bones nearly entirely covering the cheek, the second
very narrow and extending to below the centre of the eye. Gill-rakers few and very
short. Dorsal fin with III 7 rays, above the anterior half of the anal, twice as far
from the occiput as from the base of the caudal fin; the first branched ray longest,
272 CYPRINIDZA.
three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with III 16-19 rays, the
first branched ray longest and as long as or a little shorter than that of the dorsal.
Pectoral fin acutely pointed, longer than the head, extending beyond the root of
the much shorter ventral. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and
two-thirds to twice as long as deep. Scales with radiating strie, 37-41 ae, 1 or 14
between the lateral line and the root of the ventral, 12 round the caudal peduncle.
The body is uniform silvery, brownish olive on the back; the fins are yellowish
white.
The specimens collected by Mr. Loat measure from 15 to 55 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3 4. 9) 6
‘pocalclengil (witheut caudal) i..¢ sack hes 7 he ete tue. 50 | 47 40 37 35 28
Grontenh Genel OM bOGN— Nessus wees ims dee kt 12 cot ey) 8 8 6
NSE ya yiAEle Vat CRLS (2/20 Rae ta ere Mae Se Wier OPES ts tee a te 11 Ged 9 8 6
| Widink Gerliend! Sie. Wott aia Vices .AERE. akin BORA Sos 5 5 43 4 4 24
| BGneehrar snouts Shaina caus see Hite.» Pa Dk ab ete. 3 3 24 24 23 les
| MD yret UMC EN EC. Ldeky Sekar whe cee Thad Bo a CEE ee | 3 24 24 24 2
Interorbital width ..... 0 6.6... cece ee eee ee ce eee ees | 4 | + 3 chad ees Q2
pwongess ray Ot doreal =... cass ees bat ee ee ee oe 7 | 6 5s 5 5 4
| i pa RRAEN « nctatt Mea, eslar SA Aha eg eras edimsmeaiee wep oe 6 6 55 5 | 5 4
ee Meb HE POCORN spn ssow.tw phe e arene anal wane Mei 16 13 iGe 10 | 10 8
1. Assuan.—Loat. | 4, Gondokoro.—Loat.
2. Omdurman.—Loat. | 5. Imi, Somaliland.—Paris Mus.
3. Between Luxor and Assuan.— Loat. | 6. Luxor.—Loat.
The variation in the number of anal fin-rays and scales in the lateral line, in seventy
specimens, is as follows :—16 branched rays in the anal nineteen times, 17 thirty-one
times, 18 twelve times, 19 eight times; 37 scales in the lateral line four times, 38
twenty-three times, 39 twenty-one times, 40 twenty times, and 41 twice.
I have not been able to detect any external sexual characters. Chelethiops bibie is
very closely allied to the type of the genus, C. elongatus, Blgr., from the Congo and
Ubanghi, which differs in the more elongate body (depth five and a half times in
length), the more posterior position of the dorsal fin (above middle of anal and more
CHELZETHIOPS. 2&3
than twice as far from the occiput as from the caudal) and in the generally lower
number (36 or 37) of scales in the lateral line.
This little fish, described by de Joannis in 1835, from a single specimen obtained by
him at Luxor, which appears to be lost, has been a puzzle to naturalists, as no one,
previous to Mr. Loat’s expedition, seems to have come across it again. Dr. Gunther,
in 1896, thought he recognized the fish among the collection brought home from the
Ogowe by the late Miss Kingsley, but, as I have shown, his Barilius bibie is quite
different and 1 have proposed for it the name of Barilius hingsleye.
Mr. Loat obtained his first specimen on the 9th January, 1900, at Assuan, where the
fish was said to be not uncommon in the summer ;'a second specimen was obtained at
the same place on the 30th September, 1900, and a third near Kermeh in April of the
same year; others were found at Luxor and between Luxor and <Assuan, between
September and November of the same year ; whilst it occurred in such abundance at
Omdurman in May 1901 that Mr. Loat was able to preserve about 1900 specimens.
C. bibie is also found in the White Nile and the Bahr-el-Gebel, Mr. Loat having brought
home specimens from Kaka, Lake No, and Gondokoro. Quite recently, Dr. F. Werner
has obtained specimens near Kalioub, in the Delta region. Finally, 1 have to record
its presence in Somaliland, whence it has been received by the Paris Museum.
List of specimens examined :—
2 Barrage near Kalioub, N. of Cairo, in low water.—Dr. F. Werner, 23.7.04.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10—-11.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
2 Assuan.—Loat, 9.1.00 ; 30.9.00.
In pond left by Nile in 3rd Cataract country about 3 miles N. of Kermeh.—Loat, 4.00.
1500 Omdurman.—Loat, 5.01.
1 Kaka, White Nile—Loat, 18.4.01.
4 Wake No.—Loat, 22.2.01.
70 Gondokoro.—Loat, 1-2.02.
1 Imi, on the Webi Shebeli, Somaliland.—Paris Museum.
—
Ct Cc
Called “ dibie” (ass) in Upper Egypt, a name also applied to Barilius niloticus ;
“ bibiea” at Luxor. ;
Some of the females obtained at Omdurman at the end of May were full of eggs
ready to be deposited. These eggs are of relatively large size, measuring | millimetre
in diameter.
Among the specimens from Gondokoro, not a few bear the black spots which are
frequent in some of our small European Cyprinids and which are caused by a parasite *,
apparently a Diplostomum, the local irritation of which causes an aggregation of the
biack pigment-cells.
* Cf. Fatio, Arch. Sci. Phys. et Nat. (2) Jii. 1875, p. 29, and Faune Vert. Suisse, iv. p. 407 (1882);
Herzenstein, Wiss. Res. Przewalski Reis., Zool. iii. Fische, p. 50 (1888).
2N
274 CYPRINIDA.
8. NEMACHILUS.
Cobitis, part., Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 499 (1766); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xviii.
p- 1 (1846).
Nemachilus, Van Hasselt, Algem. Konst- en Letterb. ii. 1823, p. 133; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vii.
p. 347 (1868); Herzenstein, Wiss. Res. Przewalski Reis., Zool. iil. Fische, p. 1 (1888).
Diplophysa, Kessler, in Fedschenko’s Reise, i. p. 57 (1874).
Body elongate and feebly compressed, naked or with minute scales. Lateral line
along the middle of the side. Mouth small, inferior, surrounded by a circular lip;
three pairs of barbels, two on the snout and one at the sides of the mouth.
Suborbitals small, without spine. Gull-openings restricted to the sides. Dorsal fin short,
with 10 to 17 rays, opposite to the ventrals or just behind the vertical of the latter.
Anal fin short, with 7 to 9 rays. Pharyngeal teeth small, pointed and more or less
distinctly hooked, in a single series. Air-bladder entirely or partially enclosed ina
bony capsule open at the sides.
Frontal and parietal bones embracing a large fontanelle. Coracoids widely separated
from each other, the symphysis of the pectoral arch being formed entirely by the
clavicles. Vertebre 35 to 42. Intestinal canal more or less elongate, forming one or
several convolutions.
Until quite recently, the range of this large genus of about sixty species, of which
our British Loach, WN. darbatula, L., is the type, was believed to be confined to
Europe and Asia. Several species occur in Syria, and it is to one of these, NV. leontine,
Lortet, that the WV. adyssinicus discovered by Mr. E. Degen in Lake Tsana appears to
be most nearly related. ‘The addition of a Loach to the African fish-fauna is one of the
most interesting results of Mr. Degen’s visit to Lake sana.
1. NEMACHILUS ABYSSINICUS.
. (Plate XLVIIL. fig. 6.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 487.
Depth of body seven times in the total length, length of head five times. Head
feebly compressed behind, twice as long as broad. Snout a little shorter than the
postorbital part of the head, a little depressed; eye five and a half times in the length
of the head, three-fifths the interorbital width; longest barbels twice the diameter of
the eye. Dorsal fin with 10 rays, a little nearer the caudal fin than the occiput,
originating immediately behind the vertical of the root of the ventral, middle rays
NEMACHILUS. oS
longest, nearly three-fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with 9 rays. Caudal
fin slightly emarginate. Caudal peduncle once and a half as long as deep.
Yellowish brown, with irregular dark spots, and a series of ten large transverse dark
spots along the back; a small round black spot on the dorsal fin; caudal fin with
dark spots.
Total length 40 millimetres.
The specimen obtained bv Mr. Degen at Bahardar, Lake Tsana, on June 3rd, 1902,
when fishing with Burberra *, remains unique, and I have nothing to add to the above
diagnosis, as originally published, except that minute scales are present and that the
principal measurements (in millimetres) are :—
Total length (without caudal) 30
Length of head 7
Width of head . 34
Length of snout 2s
Diameter of eye 14
Interorbital width . 2
Width of mouth 2
Longest ray of dorsal . 5
“ Potts, 17) Dearie tees PTs ee ; as
Length of caudal peduncle . 6
Depth of caudal peduncle . A
The specimen is probably only half-grown.
N. abyssinicus differs from its Syrian relatives in the dorsal fin beginning behind the
vertical of the root of the ventrals.
* The seed of a leguminose plant, Berbera ferruginea, Hochet (Millettia ferruginea, Baker), which is used
in a pulverized state by the natives for poisoning the fish. Two or three hours are required before the
effects of the drug are realized, thousands of fish then rising to the surface dead or in an intoxicated
condition.
216 SILURIDA.
SILURID Az.
Mouth non-protractile, bordered by the preemaxillaries and the maxillaries, or by
the premaxillaries only, the maxillaries being often rudimentary and supporting the
base of a barbel; jaws usually toothed. Parietal bones usually confluent with the
supraoccipital, forming a single large plate; symplectic and suboperculum absent.
Pharyngeal bones normal, with small teeth. Ribs attached to the lower surface
of long parapophyses; epipleurals absent. Pectoral fins inserted very low down,
folding like the ventrals, often armed, like the dorsal, with a strong bony spine.
Body naked or with bony plates. An adipose dorsal fin often present. One to four
pairs of barbels.
The skull and the opercular apparatus show a reduction in the number of elements
as compared with the Characinids and Cyprinids, such as the absence of the
metapterygoid, the often rudimentary rod-like condition of the palatine, and the
fusion of the parietals with the supraoccipital. ‘The scapular arch is solidly united to
the skull and is often very massive, and the occiput may be connected with the base of
the dorsal fin by a buckler formed by the expansion of the first and second interneural
bones. ‘The pterygoids or supports of the pectoral rays are large and reduced to two
or three. ‘The branchiostegal rays vary from 4 to 17. Some of the anterior vertebre
may be solidly fused together and also with the occipito-nuchal buckler; the complex
which follows the first vertebra, which is more or less rudimentary, if distinct,
represents the fusion of the second, third, and fourth vertebre; the first, strongly
developed, transverse process represents that of the fourth vertebra. The air-bladder
us usually large and trilocular, but additional septa may greatly complicate its
structure *; 1t may be more or less reduced and entirely or partially enclosed in a
bilateral bony capsule formed by the transverse processes of the vertebrae. The
intestinal tract may be simple and short, or extremely long and convoluted; as in the
Cyprinids, pyloric appendages are absent.
Cat-Fishes, as Silurids are usually called, are a large family embracing some
one thousand species, spread over the freshwaters of all parts of the world, but mostly
from between the tropics. Only a few are marine.
Nearly two hundred species, referred to thirty-seven genera, are known from Africa.
Fifteen genera are represented in the Nile system and may be grouped under five
subfamilies, as shown in the following synopsis.
* Cf. Bridge & Haddon, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. clxxxiv. 1893, p. 65.
i)
~I
~I
SILURIDZ.
Synopsis of the Genera.
T. CLaris«.—Dorsal and anal fins much elongate; gill-membranes free from the isthmus.
Dorsal fin single, formed entirely of softrays. . . . . . . . I. Clarias, Gron.
Dorsal fin divided, the anterior portion formed of soft rays, the |
posterior adipose, supported by the prolonged neural spines. . 2. Heterobranchus, Geoftr.
Il. Sirurin#.—Dorsal fin very short or absent ; adipose dorsal fin very small or absent ; anal
fin much elongate ; gill-membranes free from the isthmus.
Dorsal fin with a spine; adipose fin present . . . . . . . . 38. Kutropius, M. & T.
Dorsal fin with a spine; no adipose fin eae 4, Schilbe, Cuv.
Dorsal fin without spine ; adipose fin present ; teeth absent . . . 5. Stluranodon, Blkr.
No dorsal fin; adipose fin present. . 2. . 9. 2 se se we) 66. Physailta, Blgr.
III. Bagrryz.—Dorsal fin short; adipose fin present, or transformed into a second rayed fin ;
anal fin short ; gill-membranes free from the isthmus.
A. Nasal barbel present ; teeth on the palate.
Dorsal fin with 8 to 11 soft rays; adipose fin very large . . . . 7. Bagrus, Cuv.
Dorsal fin with 5 or 6 soft rays ; adipose fin moderate or small . . 8. Chrysichthys, Blkr.
Dorsal fin with 6 soft rays ; second dorsal fin rayed, with an anterior
spineam the.wint, 20, «cus yang stg * hee ee LARA ee eee eta GenCore: Ines
B. Nasal barbel absent ; no teeth on the palate ; anterior nostril
on the upper lip; dorsal fin with 7 or 8 softrays . . . 10. Auchenoglanis, Gthr.
IV. Dorapinz.—Dorsal fin short ; a second dorsal fin, adipose or rayed; anal short; gill-
membranes grown to the isthmus.
A. Second dorsal fin adipose, without rays.
Mandibular barbels fringed or branched ; eye with a free border . 11. Synodontis, Cuv.
Mandibular barbels simple; eye without free border ; a sucker-
like eirenlar Hip? AG T8. OPt Steir TRA Sh oes gy et Cae ee eee
B. Second dorsal fin rayed ; eye without free border.
Mandibular barbels branched; mouth toothed ; body naked ; posterior
nostril very larpes | poe ¢.qilie 4s hit Bia ay 26 eeaee hon Meek aes logis,
Mandibular barbels simple; mouth toothless; body with scutes ;
caudal peduncle extremely slender - . . - . « « « « ~. I4, Andersonia, Blgr.
V. Matoprerurin#.—No rayed dorsal fin ; adipose fin present ;
anal short; gill-membranes grown to the isthmus . . . . 15. Malopterurus, Lacep.
218 SILURID A.
i. CLARIAS.
Gronovius, Zoophyl. p. 100 (1781) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 248 (1864) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass,
Congo, p. 248 (1901).
Macropteronotus, part., Lacepede, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 84 (1803).
Body elongate, with long dorsal and anal fins composed entirely of soft rays,
extending to or nearly to the caudal fin. Pectoral fin with the outer ray spinous;
ventral fin with 6 rays. Head much depressed, the upper and lateral parts osseous,
forming a casque; four pairs of barbels—one nasal, one maxillary, two mandibulars.
Hye small, with free orbital margin. Jaws with a band of villiform teeth: a band of
villiform or granular teeth on the vomer. Gill-membranes free from the isthmus,
deeply notched in the middle. A dendritic, accessory branchial organ attached to the
second and fourth branchial arches and received in a cavity behind: the gill-cavity
proper. Air-bladder small, bilobed, disposed transversely and partially enclosed in a
bony sheath formed by the transverse processes of the fourth and fifth vertebre.
The vertebrae number 60 to 78 (65 to 67 in C. anguillaris and C. lazera, 60 in
C. carsonii). Nine branchiostegal rays. Males with a long, conical, anal papilla.
The highly vascular arborescent structures which surmount the gills (see
Pl. XLIX. fig. ce) enable these fishes to breathe atmospheric air. The Clarias are
regular amphibious animals which can spend the dry season in burrows in dried-up
marshes, which they leave at night in quest of food *, consisting of both animal and
vegetable matter.
The genus Clarias is represented in South-eastern Asia, Syria, and Africa. The
number of African species amounts to thirty-two. Their distinction is beset with creat
difficulties, and most of my predecessors have attached too much importance to the
comparative length of the barbels in defining species. How variable these appendages
may be is shown by the description of Clarias lazera, and especially by the table of
measurements which accompanies it. Asa rule, the barbels are proportionally longer
in the young, in which the spine of the pectoral fin is also shorter.
Heckel has referred to “ Clarias hasselquistii” a figure in the great fishing-scene
painted in the tomb near the Pyramids of Giza. Characteristic representations of
C. anguillaris or lazera are those in tomb 15 of the Pyramids of Sapara§, and in the
tomb of Ti, at Sakkara, as I see from an unpublished photograph kindly shown me by
* Cf. Vaillant, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1895, p. 271.
+ Russegger’s Reise Heypt. iii. p. 316.
+ Cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pl. ix.
§ Cf. Lepsius, op. ett. pl. xlvi.
CLARIAS. 279
Prof. Flinders Petrie, on which I recognise a C/arias. In the animal-cemetery of
Medinet Gurob, on the border of the province of the Fayum, explored by Mr. Loat in
1903 *, a large specimen of Clarias lazera was found among other buried fishes.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Ventral fins midway between the end of the snout and the root of the caudal fin, or a little
nearer the former ; maxillary barbel not or but little longer than the head (measured to the
extremity of the occipital process) except in the very young ; nasal barbel shorter than
the head ; distance between dorsal fin and occipital process four to seven times in length
of head.
A. Head granulate above (except in the very young); Dorsal 62-82, Anal 50-65.
1. Vomerine teeth mostly pointed, forming a band which is not broader than the band of
preemaxillary teeth.
20-27 gill-rakers on anterior arch ; distance between dorsal and caudal
fins one to two and a half diameters of eye; clavicles hidden under
jt
the skin po 2% hor ede ere ae . IL. C. anguillaris, L.
87 gill-rakers on anterior te ieence fae dorsal and caudal fins
three diameters of eye; clavicles striated, distinct under the thin
MRT A yee x lee GRE SR a ee eee ee Se noone, blo
2. Vomerine teeth all or mostly granular.
Band of vomerine teeth not more than once and a half the width of the
premaxillary band ; 25 (young) to 110 gill-rakers on anterior arch ;
distance between dorsal and caudal fins at least equal to diameter of
eye; clavicles hidden under the skin. . . . . is ae 3. C. robecchii, Vincig.
Band of vomerine teeth measuring once and one-third to ee el a half
the width of the preemaxillary band ; 35 (young) to 135 gill-rakers
on anterior arch ; distance between dorsal and caudal fins not greater
than diameter of eye; clavicles striated or granulated, more or less
distinct: ander-the thin skins 30 ai 25533 “Sie Se ees ae laser ae
B. Head smooth above ; vomerine teeth granular, forming a band
which is not broader than the premaxillary band; Dorsal 78-85,
Anal 60-70; 45-70 gill-rakers on anterior arch; distance
between dorsal and caudal fins not greater than diameter of eye. 9d. C. tsanensis, Bler.
II. Ventral fins once and one-third to once and three-fourths as distant from the root of the
caudal fin as from the end of snout.
A. Maxillary and nasal barbels shorter than head ; Dorsal 65-78,
Anal 57-64 ; distance between dorsal fin and occipital process
once and two-thirds to twice and a half in length of head ; gill-
raxers. 10 ori oa anterioriators =. 5 aan Soo - 6. C. carson, Blor
Da e
rita sepa hee Sa ie Sn) eee, a De ere ei a le eee ie Se See
* Loat, ‘Gurob, Egyptian Research Account,’ x. 1904, p. 6.
280 SILURIDA.
B. Maxillary barbel longer than head, nasal barbel at least nearly as long as head; distance
between dorsal fin and occipital process three to four times in length of head.
Dorsal 65-78, Anal 55-62; gill-rakers 14-15 on anterior arch ; occipital
preCeseslommet than trea CN. te ete oe ee. OP eC. ald, Blor.
Dorsal 82-91, Anal 68-72 ; gill-rakers 16-18 on anterior arch ; occipital
process morlonter than broad \ ease ls Si Eek, ou 4 Oe CL teerner, ablor,
1. CLARIAS ANGUILLARIS.
(Plate XLIX.)
Silurus anguillaris, Linnzeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Palest. p. 415 (1762), and Syst. Nat. i. p. 502
(1766).
Macropteronotus charmuth, part., Lacepede, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 85 (1803).
Macropteronotus anguillaris, part., Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829).
Clarias hasselquist, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 362, pl. eecexlvi. (1840).
Clarias anguillaris, Giimther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 14 (1864) ; Peters, Reise n. Mossamb. iv. p. 36
(1868) ; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 217 (1869); Panceri, Rend. Acc. Se., Soc. R. Nap.
Slt dS (eh. pre
Clarias parvimanus, Giinther, opp. citt. pp. 15, 218.
Depth of body five and one-third to seven and three-fourths times in the total length,
length of head three to three and three-fourths times. Head once and a half to once
and two-thirds as long as broad, its upper surface coarsely granulate in the adult;
occipital process angular; frontal fontanelle elliptical, sole-shaped, or knife-shaped,
three to five times as long as broad, three and a half to five times in the length of the
head; occipital fontanelle small, in advance of the occipital process; eye twice (very
young) to four and a half times in the length of the snout, three to nine times in the
interorbital width; width of mouth nearly equal to the interorbital width; band
of preemaxillary teeth five and a half to eight times as long as broad; vomerine teeth
mostly conical, sometimes subgranular behind, forming a crescentic, continuous or
narrowly interrupted band which is as broad as or narrower than the premaxillary
band. Nasal barbel one-fourth to two-fifths the length of the head (one-half to
two-thirds in the very young); maxillary barbel three-fifths to five-sixths the length
of the head (three-fourths to once and one-fifth in the very young), reaching the
gill-opening or the extremity of the pectoral spine ; outer mandibular barbel once aud
one-fourth to once and a half as long as inner, which measures one-third to two-fifths
the length of the head (two-thirds to nearly once in the very young). Gill-rakers
rather short, 20 to 27 on anterior arch. Clavicles hidden under the skin. Dorsal fin
with 65 to 76 rays, its distance from the occipital process one-seventh to one-fourth
the length of the head, its distance from the caudal fin once to twice and a half the
length of the eye. Anal fin with 53 to 62 rays, narrowly separated from the caudal.
CLARIAS. 281
Pectoral fin two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, the spine serrated on the outer
border and one-half (young) to two-thirds the length of the fin. Ventral fin ‘shorter,
slightly nearer the end of the snout than the root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin
rounded, not quite half the length of the head.
Upper parts olive or dark brown, uniform or with darker marblings, lower parts
white ; a more or less distinct dark band on each side of the lower surface of the
head; fins dark, edged with yellow or orange, sometimes with small black spots.
Panceri has described a pied albino of this species.
This species reaches a length of 750 millimetres.
List of specimens examined :—
Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 30.4.99, 11.6.99.
Nile.—Riippell, 1833. (Type of C. parvimanus, Gthr.)
Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
Nile at Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 11.3.99.
Nile at Cairo, bought in Boulak Fish Bazar.—Loat, 27.3.99.
Pond near Bedreshen, 8. of Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 4.4.99.
Near Cairo, in a canal by road leading to Pyramids of Giza.—Loat, 6—7.4.99.
Skull, picked up at Demare, Lybian Desert.—Capt. Flower, 1899.
Nile at Luxor.—Loat, 26.10.00.
16 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 12.10.00-10.11.00.
10 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 30.9.00—2.10.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1.01.
Skull. Lake Victoria.—Degen, 1905.
bo —S
RRO
Fak pak oe
I have also examined the type of Clarias hasselquistdi (Nile: Geoffroy St. Hilaire) in
the Paris Museum. It differs from the figure accompanying Valenciennes’s description
in lacking the posterior median process of the band of vomerine teeth, this band being
narrowed in the middle. Its length is 580 millimetres.
Clarias anguillaris appears to be restricted to the Nile and Lake Victoria.
Mr. Loat has noted that both this species and Heterobranchus bidorsalis have been seen
to leave the water and move about on the ground during the daytime and at night, and
are said to eat green stuff. When placed on the ground the fish uses the spines of its
pectoral fins for progression, moving first one spine and then the other alternately.
When there is only a small quantity of water in the muddy pools and trenches, the
fishes are easily caught with the hand, as they are resting on the mud or under stones.
According to Dr. J. C. Mitchell * this species, which is confounded with C. lazera
by the fishermen, occurs throughout the year in the fresh portions of Lake Menzaleh,
* «Report on the Edible Fishes of Lake Menzaleh ’ (Cairo, 1895) p. 14.
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CLARIAS. 283
whilst the other freshwater fishes are to be found only after the high Nile. It is
captured by nets or on hooks, but the flesh is insipid and watery and is used only by
the poorer classes. :
Clarias anguillaris is confounded with C. lazera under the names of Armut and
Karmut. Mr. Loat has furnished me with the following list of native names :—
“© Armit ” (Loy-0 yp), at Cairo, Barrage N. of Cairo, Samannud, Lake Edkou, Lake
Menzaleh, Lake Borollos, Lake Mareotis, Kafr-el-Zayat, Beni-Souef, Rosetta, Girgeh ;
““z@lool” (perhaps (J,\¢;) on Lake Menzaleh, this name sometimes applied to small
examples of this species; “‘zaf loot” (xo 8 5) on Lake Borollos, this name some-
times applied to small examples; “hit” (“5>) is the name for this species at
San, a town on the Bahr San-el-hager, which runs into Lake Menzalen at the
S.W. corner; also applied to this species at Assiut; “kurr” (4S), between Shellal
and Korosko; “ gummuck” (2ha>), between Korosko and Halfa; “ garmut” (50/5)
Omdurman.—WNote: At Lahun in the Fayum, “armut” refers to small, and “hut” to
big examples of this species, also at Assiut and Akhmim and some other places; at
the Lakes in the Delta, the word “ hut” refers to female bouri with roe; at the Birket
Karun, in the Fayum, “hut” refers to both big and small specimens of “ armut.”
2. CLARIAS MOORII.
(Plate L.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 13.
Depth of body nearly seven times in the total length, length of head three and
one-fourth times. Head once and three-fiftas as long as broad, its upper surface
coarsely granulate; occipital process angular, a little longer than broad; frontal
fontanelle knife-shaped, three times as long as broad, nearly four times in the length of
the head; occipital fontanalle small, in advance of the occipital process; eye three
and one-third times in the length of the snout, six and two-thirds times in the
interorbital width; width of the mouth nearly equal to the interorbital width; band
of premaxillary teeth six times as long as broad; vomerine teeth mostly pointed, a few
in the middle granular, forming a crescentic band which is as broad as the preemaxillary
band. Nasal barbel one-fifth the length of the head; maxillary barbel a little more
than half the length of the head, extending to the root of the pectoral fin; outer
mandibular barbel once and a half as long as inner, which measures nearly one-third
the length of the head. Gill-rakers long and closely set, 87 on anterior arch.
Clavicles striated, distinct under the thin skin. Dorsal fin with 66 rays, its distance
202
284 SILURIDA.
from the occipital process one-fifth the length of the head, its distance from the caudal
fin measuring three times the length of the eye. Anal fin with 54 rays *, separated
from the caudal fin by a distinct interspace. Pectoral fin nearly half the length of the
head, the spine serrated on the outer border and two-thirds the length of the fin.
Ventral fin shorter, a little nearer the end of the snout than the root of the caudal fin.
Caudal fin rounded, about half the length of the head.
Olive-brown above, white beneath.
Known from a single specimen obtained in Lake Albert Edward by Mr. J. E. S.
Moore in 1900.
Measurements (in millimetres).
POiaebepe Lhe aie faa eet Sage eit at are ee Sess ee a
* pie HOWL OUU Bam a cee ee ee ge eee ee
Cerne ee lias “vere eet on yr pe ee eg Mei og ey Fe 73
SCIEN Va aie e eee har sek Gis ah, So aot
Wymieg betes Gere ees Soma. ae a Se nk es tee 97
POUT ns Oh NOtG rae oe vee ob teeny Soo ye Sut tk ut Sa 30
ESE NCHUS OS 1398) 6 DURIE'y pom SEE, Ce ares Cele aie etter Panevan es gees mee 9
eR POTS ND VEG UB oaee oh nt ae ee Geet re ee SS Se ae 60
Es Uc ee cae aed (17 aber Saga eae ete cee eam Penge oes ele ee eee eee so
Pipi Hiden eile 4 at Gy ee Se ee ee Se Sy 30
35 Han PALO e rg os ee ee 88
ie rea UIUC viet CSEVACS GN] 00 F: bee g0 1) 90) Uttara axe ea anaes ary ope ea Pree 54
= Gitex SMaranoimlar ate so ee ee rey
eS OCtOraI Nh CoG ee eae gee ee as ee HE
3 SUNN ae eae ly tie ae ee AY
This species combines characters of C. anguillaris, robecchit, and lazera, differing
from the first in the character of the gill-rakers, from the second in the vomerine
dentition, and from the third in the latter character and in the wide space between
the dorsal and caudal fins.
* 44 in the original description is a lapsus calami or misprint.
—
CLARIAS. 28)
3. CLARIAS ROBECCHII.
(Plate LI. fig. 1.)
Clarias gariepinus, part., Giinther & Playfair, Fish. Zanzib. p. 113 (1866).
Clarias mossambicus (non Peters), Fischer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. 1. 1884, p. 28 ; Vinciguerra,
Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xv. 1895, p. 31, fig., and xvii. 1896, p. 25; Pellegrin, Mém. Soe. Zool.
France, xvii. 1905, p. 176.
Clarias robecchii, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xiii. 1893, p. 450, and xv. 1895,.-p. 30, fig. 5
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 253 (1901).
Clarias lazera (non Cuvier & Valenciennes), Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1894, p. 89 ; Boulenger,
Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, u. p. 161.
Clarias smithii, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 219, fig.*
Clarias microphthalmus, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 28 (1896); Hilgendorf, Zool, Jahrb.,
Syst. xxii. 1905, p. 410.
Clarias giintheri, Pfeffer, |. c.
Depth of body six to eight times in the total length, length of head three to three
and two-thirds times. Head once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as broad,
its upper surface coarsely granulate in the adult; occipital process angular ; frontal
fontanelle sole-shaped or knife-shaped, twice and a half to four times as long as broad,
three and a half to five and a half times in the length of the head ; occipital fontanelle
small, in advance of the occipital process; eye twice and a half (young) to four times
in the length of the snout, four (young) to eight times in the interorbital width ; width
of the mouth equal to or a little less than the interorbital width; band of preemaxillary
teeth four (young) to eight times as long as broad; vomerine teeth granular, forming
a crescentic band with or without a short posterior median process, this: band once to
once and a half the width of the premaxillary band. Nasal barbel one-fifth to two-
fifths the length of the head (one-half to two-thirds in the very young); maxillary
barbel two-thirds to once the length of the head (a little longer in the very young), not
extending beyond the middle of the pectoral fin; outer mandibular barbel once and
one-fourth to once and three-fifths as long as inner, which measures one-half to
three-fourths the length of the head. Gill-rakers long and closely set, 25 (very young)
to 110 on anterior arch. Clavicles hidden under the skin. Dorsal fin with 62 to
78 rays, its distance from the occipital process one-seventh to one-fourth the length of
* Gtinther describes and figures the band of vomerine teeth as nearly twice as broad as the band of
premaxillary teeth ; in reality, the latter measures at its widest point 6 millim., the former, also at its
widest point, 9 millim.
+ As has been observed in the Allis Shad (Clupea alosa), the gill-rakers increase in number with age.
They number, on the anterior arch, about 40 in specimens 200 millim. long, 50 in specimens 300 millim.,
70 to 110 in adults of 500 to 600 millim. Specimens of the latter size have only 25 to 27 gill-rakers in
C. anguillaris, 100 to 120 in C. lazera, whilst a C. lazera of over 1 metre in length has as many as 185,
286 SILURIDZ.
the head, its distance from the caudal fin measuring one to two diameters of eye.
Anal fin with 50 to 62 rays, separated from the caudal by a distinct interspace.
Pectoral fin two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, the spine serrated on the
outer border and three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the fin. Ventral fin
shorter, equally distant from the end of the snout and from the root of the caudal fin, or
a little nearer the former. Caudal fin rounded, two-fifths to half the length of the head.
Olive to blackish above, white beneath ; a more or less distinct dark band on each
side of the lower surface of the head.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 650 millimetres.
This species has a wide distribution in East Africa, being known from Abyssinia and
Lake Victoria to German East Africa and Lake Tanganyika. The type specimens
described by Vinciguerra came from the Webi Shebelli.
List of specimens examined :—
2 Lake Victoria.—Sir H. Johnston, 4.12.04.
1 Lake Victoria.—Col. Delmé Radcliffe, 1903.
3 Hntebbe.—Degen, 31.8.05—5.9.05.
1 Unfras R., L. Tsana.—Degen, 9.5.02.
2 Warrar, Hawash R.— Degen, 6.2.02.
1 Hawash R.—O. Neumann, 8.01.
2 Marmasa, Gota R. (Hawash system), 4-5000 feet.—Degen, 21.1.02.
2 Elgo R., L. Abaia, 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 3.9.05.
1 Webi Shebelii—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1894. (Type of C. smithit.)
1 Voi R., Taita.x—C. 8. Betton, 1897.
1 Ngatana, Tana R.—Prof. Gregory, 1893.
2 Bubu R., Urangi—QO. Neumann, 7.03.
& Kandoa, Usagara.—Capt. Bloyet, 1882.
5 Zanzibar.—Sir L. Playfair, 1865-67.
2 Zanzibar.—Sir J. Kirk, 1867.
Lake Tanganyika.— Moore, 1896.
Niamkolo, L. Tanganyika.— Dr. Cunnington, 1904.
a
Clarias robecchit is intermediate between C. anguillaris and C. lazera, with both of
which it has been confounded by me and others, but on the whole nearer to C. ldazera,
from which some specimens are difficult to distinguish. It has also been confounded:
with C. gariepinus, Burchell, in which the vomerine teeth are nearly all conical.
C. vinciquerre, Bler., based on a single specimen from the Kassam River, Shoa
(altitude about 4000 teet), is very closely related to C. robecchii and may prove to be an
abnormal individual of that species. It has been separated on the ground of its
having a longer head, a little more than once and two-thirds as long as broad, and
eight times as long as its distance from the dorsal fin, and a very high number (90) of
gill-rakers, considering the size (410 millimetres) of the specimen.
287
CLARIAS.
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288 SILURID.
4. CLARIAS LAZERA.
(Plate LIT.)
Silurus anguillaris (non Linneeus), A. Russell, Nat. Hist. Aleppo, 2nd ed. ii. p. 217, pl. viii. (1794).
Macropteronotus charmuta, part., Lacepede, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 85 (1803).
fleterobranchus anguillaris (non Linneus), I. Geottroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 305, pl. xvi. fig. 1
(1827); Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. xiv.
Garmout laséra, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exev. (1830).
Clarias lazera, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 372 (1840) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 16
(1864) ; Peters, Reise n. Mossamb. iv. p. 36 (1868); Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 218
(1869) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 252 (1901) ; Hilgendorf, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii.
1905, p. 409.
Clarias syriacus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 375.
Clarias capensis (non Cuvier & Valenciennes), Huxley, Mem. Geol. Surv. x. pp. 30 & 32, fig.
(1861).
? Clarias ngamensis, Castelnau, Poiss. Afr. Austr. p. 63 (1861).
Clarias orontis, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 15; Sauvage, N. Arch. Mus. (2) vii. 1884, p. 18,
pl. i. fig. 2.
Clarias macracanthus, Giinther, t. c. pp. 16 & 429, and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 219; Lortet, Arch.
Mus. Lyon, iti. 1883, p. 151, pl. xvii.; Tristram, Faun. Palest. p. 169, pl. xix. fig. 1 (1884).
Clarias xenodon, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 16.
Depth of body five to nine times in the total length, length of head three to three
and a half times. Head once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as broad, its
upper surface coarsely granulate in the adult; occipital process angular or rounded:
frontal fontanelle sole-shaped or knife-shaped, twice and a half to four times as long as
broad, three and a half to six times in the length of the head; occipital fontanelle
small, in advance of the occipital process; eye twice (young) to four and one-third
times in the length of the snout, four to seven times in the interorbital width; width
of the mouth equal to ora little less than the interorbital width ; band of pramaxillary
teeth four (young) to six times as long as broad; vomerine teeth granular, forming a
crescentic band with or without a posterior median process, its greatest width, in the
middle, once and a half to twice and a half that of the preemaxillary band; anterior
mandibular teeth pointed, posterior granular. Nasal barbel one-third to two-thirds
the length of the bead (up to four-fifths in the very young) *; maxillary barbel usually
a little shorter than the head, sometimes a little longer (up to once and a half in
* A specimen from Khartum, 260 millim. long, which agrees in every other respect with C. lazera, to
which it was referred by Gunther, is exceptional in the very short barbels, the nasal measuring only one-fifth
and the maxillary half the length of the head. This unique specimen is included in the table of
measurements, under no. 13. On the other hand, the barbels are exceptionally long in a specimen from the
Congo, and in one from the Lower Nile, nos. 3 and 8 of the table.
289
CLARIAS.
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290 SILURID.
the very young), reaching the extremity of the pectoral spine or a little beyond the
extremity of the pectoral fin; outer mandibular barbel once and one-fifth to once and
two-thirds as long as inner, which measures two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the
head. Gill-rakers long and closely set, 35 (very young) to 139 on anterior arch.
Clavicles striated or rugose with granulations, more or less distinct under the thin
skin. Dorsal fin with 62 to 82 rays, its distance from the occipital process one-seventh
to one-fourth the length of the head, its distance from the caudal fin not greater than
the diameter of the eye*. Anal fin with 50 to 65 rays, narrowly separated from the
caudal fin. Pectoral fin two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, the spine
serrated on the outer side and three-fifths (young) to three-fourths the length of the |
fin. Ventral fin shorter, equally distant from the end of the snout and the root of
the caudal fin, or a little nearer the former. Caudal fin rounded, about half the
length of the head.
Greyish olive or olive-brown to blackish above, uniform or marbled with lighter,
white or greyish beneath; vertical fins dark, often with a yellowish edge; usually a
more or less distinct dark band on each side of the lower surface of the head. Young
specimens often have a dark bar, edged with yellowish in front and behind, across the
caudal fin. Black spots are sometimes present on the caudal fin. Iris bronzy, with a
gold circle round the pupil.
The largest specimen examined by me, from Giza near Cairo, presented to the
British Museum by Capt. S. S. Flower, measures 1170 millimetres. It is, I think,
the largest on record. The largest specimen seen by Mr. Loat in Egypt measured
1060 millimetres.
Clarias lazera has a very wide distribution, being known from Syria, the Nile, Lakes
Albert and Albert Edward, the basins of Lake Abaia and Lake Chad, the Senegal,
the Niger, and the Congo; also Lake Ngami, should Castelnau’s Clarias ngamensis
prove to be identical with C. lazera.
List of specimens examined :-—
1 Orontes.—Alex. Russell, 1756. (Type of C. orontis.)
4 lake of Galilee.—Canon Tristram, 1864.
5 Bahr-el-Tawilah, in a freshwater canal running into L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 26.6.99.
8 Near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh, in freshwater pool. Loat, 3-11.6.99.
19 Near Damietta, in freshwater pool.— Loat, 1.6.99.
2 Nile near Cairo.—Loat, 11-28.3.99.
2 Giza.—Capt. Flower, 25.2.99, 22.2.04.
15 Beni Souef, Fayum.—Loat, 11.8.99-17.9.99.
1 Birket Karun, Fayum.—Loat, 29.9.99.
5 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
* T have noticed an exception in a young specimen from Giza, in which the distance between the dorsal
and caudal fins equals two diameters of the eye; but this may be due to a mutilation.
Cn ee ee OC oC Co
CLARIAS. 291
Bahr Tamiyeh, Fayum.-—Loat, 6.10.99.
Nile between Abu Tig and Assiut.—Loat, 1.12.99.
Assiut.—Loat, 6.12.99.
Nile at Luxor.—Loat, 22—29.10.00.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10.00-12.11.00.
Nile between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 7-30.9.00.
Island of Arko.—Loat, 16.4.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862. (Types of C. macracanthus.)
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Karkoj, Blue Nile-—Loat, 7.12.01.
Fashoda.—Loat, 20.3.01.
Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 5-14.4.01.
Bahr Zeraf.—Capt. Flower, 25.3.00.
Gondokoro.—Petherick, 1862.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 16.2.02.
Tsutyaba, L. Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
L. Albert Edward.—Moore, 1900.
Gallaland, 139 m. west of Omo R.—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1900.
Sire River, at its junction with L. Abaia, 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, AO.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Niger.— Dalton, 1863. (Type of C. xenodon.)
Abo, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Agberi, 8. Nigeria—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Monsembé, Upper Congo.—Reyv. J. H. Weeks, 1900.
Upoto, Upper Congo.—Capt. Wilverth, 1897.
Upper Congo.—Brussels University, 1899.
Fig. 26.
Malformed head of Clarias lazera.
The specimen from the Birket Karun presents a curious malformation. ‘The head,
which is one-fourth of the total length without the caudal fin, is spherically swollen in
the frontal region, as shown in the above figure.
2P2
292, SILURID.
In addition to these specimens, I have examined the types of Clarias lazera and
C. syriacus preserved in the Paris Museum.
The former (Nile: Lefebvre) measures 300 millimetres ; the vomerine teeth are all
granular and form a band which is considerably broader than the premaxillary band ;
about 79 gill-rakers on the anterior arch. The latter (Syria: Bové), a skin in spirit,
000 millimetres long, is specifically identical; there is no postero-median process to
the band of granular vomerine teeth, which, in the middle, is once and two-thirds as
broad as the preemaxillary band. |
Mr. Loat observes :—“ Fairly numerous in Lakes Menzaleh and Borollos, but mostly
during the Nile time. In Lake Edku it is caught during the Nile time, but not at
other times. ound all the year round in Lake Mareotis. At Rosetta all the year
round, mostly during the Nile time. It is chiefly found in localities with shallow
water with reeds and mud, in irrigation trenches, and ponds left by receding Nile.”
Some specimens found near Damietta bore, partly imbedded in the vent, parasitic
Copepods of the genus Lernocera, indistinguishable, Dr. Calman tells me, from those
noticed in Polypterus (supra, p. 8). The hinder part of the body of the parasite,
projecting from the vent of the fish, was covered with Vorticelle, giving it a fluffy
appearance. . |
5. CLARIAS TSANENSIS.
(Plate LI. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 438.
Depth of body six and a half to seven and a half times in the total length, length of
head three and one-eighth to three and four-fifths times. Head once and a half to
once and two-thirds as long as broad, perfectly smooth above; vertex very strongly
flattened, almost concave in the adult; occipital process angular; frontal fontanelle
knife-shaped, three to four times as long as broad, four to five times in the length of
the head ; occipital fontanelle indistinct ; eye twice and a half (young) to four times
in the length of the snout, four to six and two-thirds times in the interorbital width;
width of mouth nearly equal to the interorbital width; band of premavxillary teeth four
to five and a half times as long as broad; vomerine teeth granular, forming a crescentic
band which is as broad as the preemaxillary band. Nasal barbel one-third to one-half
the length of the head (three-fourths in the very young); maxillary barbel three-
fourths to once the length of the head (longer in the very young), reaching the base
or the extremity of the pectoral spine ; outer mandibular barbels one-half to four-fifths
the length of the head (as long as the head in the very young). Gill-rakers long
and closely-set, 49 (young) to 70 on anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 78 to 85 rays, its
Oo
CLARIAS. | 29
distance from the occipital process one-fifth to one-fourth the length of the head, its
distance from the caudal fin equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye.
Anal with 60 to 70 rays, touching the root of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin not quite
half the length of the head, the spine very slightly serrated on the outer border, three-
fifths (young) to two-thirds the length of the fin. Ventral fin shorter, equally distant
from the end of the snout and from the caudal fin, or a little nearer the former. Caudal
fin rounded, nearly half the length of the head.
Dark olive-brown above, greyish beneath.
Total length 430 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without caudal) ......6.++-+se00+ 375 280 | 240 115
Greatest dept 5250.55 ares 8 es oe 50 35 30 18
Eéngth of head san Ss yas ere cen 120 86 76 31
Width ot Heady ceo o8 oo oa epee as een as 76 56 49 20
Length of pfs oe ee 27 18 iS 7
‘Dunmeber Gl eyes. 22.00 2 se eee eke 7 6 os 3
PGeROr heh Was fe ee ero ere Beene 47 34 31 13
Wid Ok Oni | sia ee a eee ees 44 34 30 12
ength-of nagal-harbel 1... a4 25 ae: aig ae 40 43 36 26
‘ maxilary Parbel so. 2.. cere. eet ese 90 77 76 40
5 innier-mandibiular barbel- ris cis peer oe 40 50 42 24
e# Olter mandinmlar banbel: nc. sacs 65 65 63 33
Thenvtly of pectoral Bn sale ss ee he ee ae bats 55 43 38 15
i egered p)! (cpa ree oe perenne eee es Oat 38 29 24 10
Five specimens were obtained at Zegi, Lake Tsana, by Mr. E. Degen, on May 12th
and 22nd, 1902.
The smooth head, combined with the high number of gill-rakers and of dorsal rays,
and the absence of a space between the anal and caudal fins, distinguish this species
from its allies with granular vomerine teeth.
294 SILURID A.
6. CLARIAS CARSONII.
(Plate LITT. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1903, p. 362.
Depth of body six and a half to nine and a half times in the total length, length of
head four and one-sixth to five times. Head once and one-fifth to once and one-third
as long as broad, smooth; occipital process angular, not longer than broad; frontal
fontanelle sole-shaped or knife-shaped, twice and a half to three times as long as broad,
four or five times in the length of the head; occipital fontanelle small, in advance of
or encroaching a little on the occipital process; eye three to five times in the length of
the snout, six to eight and two-thirds times in the interorbital width; width of mouth
a little less than interorbital width; band of premaxillary teeth three and a half to five
times as long as broad; vomerine teeth conical, some very obtusely, forming a crescentic
band which is about as broad as the premaxillary band. Nasal barbel two-fifths
to three-fifths the length of the head; maxillary barbel three-fifths to three-fourths
the length of the head, not reaching or reaching the gill-opening; outer mandibular
barbel once and one-third to once and a half the length of the inner, which measures
one-half to two-thirds the length of the head. Gill-rakers stout aud wide apart,
10 or 11 on anterior arch. Clavicles hidden under the skin. Dorsal fin with
65 to 78 rays, its distance from the occipital process two-fifths to three-fifths the
length of the head, its distance from the caudal fin equal to one or two diameters of
the eye. Anal fin with 57 to 64 rays, nearly touching the caudal. Pectoral fin about
half the length of the head, the spine very indistinctly serrated and measuring about
two-thirds the length of the fin. Ventral fin shorter, once and one-third to once and
two-thirds as distant from the root of the caudal as from the end of the snout. Caudal
fin rounded, half as long as the head.
Dark brown above, lighter brown beneath. One specimen is yellowish, marbled
with brown— probably a pied albino.
This Clarias does not appear to exceed a length of 285 millimetres, 1500 millim. in
the original description being a misprint for 150.
Clarias carsonii was originally described from a half-grown specimen from Fwambo,
a village 21 miles S.S.E. of Lake Tanganyika, presented to the British Museum by
Mr. A. Carson in 1894. About twenty specimens, some of which agree very closely
with the type, were obtained by Mr. Doggett in Lake Victoria and presented to the
British Museum by Col. Delmé Radcliffe in 1904. Specimens were also obtained in
the same lake, at Munyongo and Bunjako, by Mr. Degen in October and November
1905. The same fish has also been found in a small river near Fort Portal, 12 miles
east of Ruwenzori, altitude 4500 feet, by Mr. R. B. Woosnam in December 1905.
LS
CO
On
CLARIAS.
Measurements (in millimetres) and nunbers of fin-rays.
1 xy 5) | 4 By 6 7 8
Total length (without caudal).......... 9553) QUBe | 200) *) 180 Pte ee io 95
Greist de pl -eoraa tak eee ee 29 2D 25 24 22 20 18 14
oneth of head (2303 ae p35 aa eee 58 42 42 4] 34 31 30 24
Wade Or Weds ny ns ee anne 42 31 32 30) 26 24 Ze eve
Leavth of SHout Soe teres ee EG 16 10 10 8 7 7 5
Diamenen.O: CYR. <i < ees eee | 3 24 24 24 2 2 2 14
Interorbital width ..... Sot Ne gi ee 26 19 20 19 16 14 13 g
AWidth: OF VOUT (ems) kus eee er ge ee: 17 Fe 17 14 12 12 8
Length of nasal barbel .:........- eee: 24 22 20 19 15 16 12
. maxilary barbele co. on | 36 30 25 oi 23 20 22 18
. inner mandibular barbel ... | 26 23 pA 19 18 14 17 13
= outer mandibular barbel ....| 36 29 29 28 23 20 oy 16
- peChOra HI. ce een hates pel eo 20 20 19 16 14 14 da:
es a AN os Se eat geen 18 14 13 13 if 9 9 6
Number of dorsal gaye) 3 sa suo wae 78 Ws 78 73 68 65 66 66
% ae fas Skea. eine ee 64 62 63 62 57 60.1 58 58
1. Fort Portal. W oosnam. | 6. Fwambo.—Carson. (Type.)
2-5, 7,8. L. Victoria.—Doggett.
Clarias carsonit is very closely related to C. liocephalus, Blgr., from Lake Tanganyika,
differing in the shorter barbels, fewer gill-rakers, and more numerous anal rays, the
last of which is less widely separated from the caudal fin.
296 | SILURIDE.
7. CLARIAS ALLUAUDI.
(Plate LIII. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 437.
Clarias microphthalmus (non Pfeffer), Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 176.
Depth of body five and two-thirds to six and a half times in the total length, length
of head four to four and a half times. Head once and one-third to once and a half
as long as broad, smooth above; occipital process acutely pointed, longer than broad ;
frontal fontanelle twice as long as brond, about four times in the length of the head;
occipital fontanelle small, extending on occipital process; eye twice or twice anda
half in the length of the snout, four or five times in the interorbital width; width
of mouth a little less than interorbital width; band of premaxillary teeth about four
Measurements ( in millimetres).
1 ae 3
POs leat (WL MOUeAtah reenter ee rae eae wee He 128 97 90
RP RCAOS brine, gisatp pt te aac ea aes eens oe Mn Uy ER ee ae Sy ae 22 vg 14
Aree ENCE gre eee ce ies hws eae a ew 30 23 A ead
Width Gi VRC eps atertn es tay sent yay etn ge ges ias. Mic a te) Bee eahes 210 Ly 16
Length of snout ; oe ae ay LSP anee en so ere ert ue ae 6 5 5
Diameter of eye ..... aE RE EE Aas dd EN epg AS 24 2 2
Petepaeiim ink aia Wea sr amae tok Lege atc ae eae aie eps 12 9 8
Gibbons er os ae ee cs ig ae "7
GLO eS ne se PD sages ap Greet eres se Ge ME mee re une ive eres ek tee 34 | 27 | 22
3 NEU ANAL WA 8 07 Nido] cre ile co as Hee Mea ant hae Re en eteeeteere fs 50 oT 34
Ss mner-mandibularsbarvel= 225s. oie caliess a tera 31 | 20 19
a CucerauaIL WIA DARDOr Sas Leen er es OO eae 42 | 30 27
¢ PCL OUND here ta he nd nh aa ean ide RT 15 4; | 11
a i SPOS la ito cade ere aoe een tk sans ee eas LO 8 8
1. Bunjako.—Degen. | 2. Kavirondo Bay.—Alluaud. | 3. Hntebbe.—Degen.
CLARIAS. 297
times as long as broad; vomerine teeth conical, forming a crescentic band which is
longer and a little broader than the band of premaxillary teeth. Nasal barbel as long
as or a little longer than the head; maxillary barbel once anda half to once and
two-thirds the length of the head, reaching the ventral fin or between the pectoral
and the ventral; outer mandibular barbel once and one-third to once and a half as
long as inner and about once and one-third the length of the head, Gill-rakers
moderate, 14 or 15 on anterior arch. Clavicles hidden under the skin. Dorsal fin
with 65 to 78 rays, its distance from the occipital process about one-fourth the length
of the head, extending to the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with 90 to 62 rays,
extending to the root of the caudal fin. Pectoral fin half the length of the head, the .
spine serrated on both sides and about two-thirds the length of the fin, Ventral fin
shorter, once and a half as distant from the root of the caudal fin as from the end
of the snout. Caudal fin rounded, about half as long as the head.
Dark olive-brown above, lighter beneath.
Total length 143 millimetres.
This fish is known only from Lake Victoria. I have described it from three
specimens from Bunjako (Degen, 5-14.11.05), one from Entebbe (Degen, 16.6.05),
and one from Kavirondo Bay (Alluaud collection) ; the last was received from the
Paris Museum as C. microphthalmus, Pfeffer, a nominal species which I regard as
based on young specimens of C. robecchit.
8. CLARIAS WERNERI.
(Plate LILI. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 569.
Depth of body six and a half to eight times in the total length, length of head four
and a half to five times. Head about once and a half as long as broad, smooth or
very feebly granulate above ; occipital process angular, not longer than broad; frontal
fontanelle more or less distinctly sole-shaped, once anda half to twice as long as
broad, its length four to five times in that of the head; occipital fontanelle as large or
a little smaller, oval or elliptic, partly on the occipital process; eye twice to three times
in the length of the snout, five to six times in the interorbital width; width of mouth
a little less than interorbital width; band of preemaxillary teeth three to four times as
long as broad; vomerine teeth granular, forming a crescentic band which is as broad
as or a little narrower than the premaxillary band. Nasal barbel nearly once to once
and a half the length of the head; maxillary barbel once and one-fifth to twice the
length of the head, reaching the extremity of the pectoral fin or beyond; outer
2Q
298 SILURIDA.
mandibular barbel about once and a half as long as inner and equal to or longer than
the head. Gill-rakers moderate, 16 to 18 on anterior arch. Clavicles hidden under
the skin. Dorsal fin with 82 to 91 rays, its distance from the occipital process nearly
one-third the length of the head, in contact with or very narrowly separated from the
root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with 68 to 72 rays, in contact with or very narrowly
separated from the caudal fin. Pectoral fin nearly half the length of the head, the
spine very feebly serrated on the outer border and about two-thirds the length of the
fin. Ventral fin shorter, once and three-fifths to once and three-fourths as distant
from the root of the caudal as from the end of the snout. Caudal fin rounded, about
half as long as the head.
Blackish brown above, lighter brown beneath.
Total length 230 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays.
f
1 2 3. 4 ») 6
‘Lovallenctha(withoub: caudal) os wt ia. tea g awabeass 210s a 190- 185) 155° 1 140.— | 110 |
Tp RODIN = aG arg Gite a haw ewe sp rant oa dee rc wide aoe 32 29 27 22 20 13
Tene OOM: iy eet ace Ne te ca oe oe te ee ea aa Ss 4] | 40 39 35 30 24
DN rie MONE Solas eo ath yay epee tba eka ae wwe oe 28 es, 27 23 20 16
gO UNG OL RULOU is ni x ee aoe ec ecsa aoe eae cae aia a Bs 9 9 9 8 7 5
APiatOen PC VCs 4 aa sane Fe wit aoe eaoesg Ba eal ene 34 34 3 3 24 2
PPT the Dad GARE: ater Fis ce wy Wuyi, le ts eal igs wana EA ace 18 Ly ie 16 13 10
Re OL ORD sande meted aie ea te pe OR A 16 15 13 14 10 8
PsGh Shiv on TNS DAD UG eo) ya each aol eo = ates a Oe Es 42 45 56 32 29 22 |
i yr slesc WZ Haare 2:0 WY ©) eeaeniewe: aloe RMP Neve Sars &. Meany elon area 60 70 80 lies ieee 29 |
a inher mandiWualar banbeli (i324 sch alla leks ws 35 42 45 30 23 17 |
res outer mandibular barbel ..... yd ies ea a eo 50 60 67 42 32 25
i POST ea Neca agcere ecu gs aye oar ane a eG 20 19 19 17 16 12
ee 3 BD Mew dase ehh ey ewan dee le baa 13 13 12 11 10 9
Nannbeb or dereairaye WSs: Vise ve Sree ns alge ewes 91 90 85 56 82 90
* WRAY Memes 50 gates ens hae candy ee ex s 72 69 69 70 68 68 |
1, 2,4, 5. Bunjako—Degen. | 38. Buganga.—Degen. | 6. Gondokoro.—Werner. (Type.)
CLARIAS. 299
This species was first discovered by Mr. Spire, tax-collector to the Uganda
Protectorate, early in 1905,in a pond two hours to the east of Gondokoro, and a
specimen was sent to me for the British Museum by my friend Dr. F. Werner *.
Shortly after, Mr. E. Degen rediscovered the same fish in Lake Victoria, bringing
home six specimens from Bunjako (0-14.11.05), Buganga (15-17.11.05), and Munyonyo
(18.8.00). I have also examined ten specimens from the Buddu (west) coast of Lake
Victoria, forming part of a collection made by Mr. M. Simon in 1906.
* When describing the fish I was under the impression that it formed part of his own collection, a mistake
which he has asked me to rectify. :
bo
&
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300 SILURIDZ.
2. HETEROBRANCHUS.
Geoffroy, Deser. Egypte, Poiss. (1809), part. ; Giinther, Cat. Fishes, v. p. 21 ( (1864) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 265 (1901).
Distinguished from Clarias ie the a asoa of the dorsal fin into two parts, the
posterior adipose and supported by the prolongations of the neural spines.
The accessory respiratory apparatus is the same as in Clarias.
The vertebree number 65 in a specimen of H. bidorsalis, 61 in one of H. ee
from the Nile, whilst Hyrtl * counted 57 in a specimen referred to Peters’s ZH. laticeps,
which I regard as specifically identical with H. longifilis; but it must be borne in
mind that Hyrtl reckoned the four anterior fused vertebre as one.
Three species from Africa, and one from the Malay Archipelago.
1. HETEROBRANCHUS BIDORSALIS.
(Plate EVV fiends )
Is Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 305, pl. xvi. figs. 2 & 5, and pl. xvii. figs. 8 & 9 (1827) ;
Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. 11. p. 220 (1869).
ae geofroyt, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 392 (1844).
Lleterobranchus senegalensis, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 397; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien,
Ix. 1869, p. 980.
Heterobranchus intermedius, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 22 (1864), and 1. ¢.
Depth of body six to nine times in the total length, length of head twice and
four-fifths to three and one-fourth times. Head very strongly depressed, once and
one-fourth to once and a half as long as broad, its upper surface coarsely granulate
in the adult; occipital process pointed, sometimes very obtusely ; frontal fontanelle
knife-shaped, three to four times as long as broad, three to five times in the length
of the head ; occipital fontanelle small, in advance of the occipital process; eye three
(young) to six and a half times in the length of the snout, six to ten and a half timesin
the interorbital width; width of mouth a little less than the interorbital width; band
of preemaxillary teeth about five times as long as broad; vomerine teeth also villiform,
forming a crescentic band which is once and one-fourth to once and a half as broad as
the preemaxillary band and may have a small central posterior process. Nasal barbel
two-thirds to once the length of the head; maxillary barbel four-fifths to once and
* Denkschr. Ak. Wien, xvi. 1859, p. 17.
HETEROBRANCHUS. (301
six-sevenths the length of the head, extending to the extremity of the pectoral fin or
between this point and the root of the ventral fin; outer mandibular barbel once and
one-tenth to once and a half as long as inner, which measures once to once and a half
the length of the head. Gill-rakers rather short, 20 to 30 on anterior arch. Dorsal
fin with 38 to 45 rays, its distance from the occipital process one-tenth to one-sixth the
length of the head; adipose dorsal two-fifths to two-thirds as long as, as deep as, or
lower than, and commencing immediately behind the rayed dorsal, extending to the
base of the caudal fin. Anal fin with 50 to 57 rays, extending to the base of the
caudal fin. Pectoral fin two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, the spine smooth
and measuring two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the fin. Ventral fin shorter,
midway between the end of the snout and the base of the caudal fin, or a little nearer
the latter. Caudal fin rounded, two-fifths to one-half the length of the head.
The coloration in spirit is a dark olive above and whitish beneath. Mr. Loat
descibes the specimen from Goz Shebesha, which is figured on Plate LVI., as dark
ereenish on the back, shading to paler on the sides, whitish on the belly; the fins
dull greyish, with a dull orange-red edge to the dorsal, adipose, and caudal fins. A
coloured sketch made by the late P. Delhez at Kaédi, on the Senegal, represents
the fish as purplish brown above, yellowish tinged with orange on the sides; dorsal
fins purplish grey, edged with red; pectoral, ventral, anal, and caudal fins bright red. ~
This species grows toa length of four feet. A large specimen seen at Goz abu
Guma by Mr. Loat, but of which only a part of the head could be preserved, measured
1220 millimetres. The largest specimen brought home by him measures 770
millimetres. |
Heterobranchus bidorsalis inhabits the Upper Nile, the White Nile, the Chad Basin,
the Senegal, and the Niger. It is a rare fish in the Nile, only four specimens having
been brought home by Mr. Loat, although he saw some other very large specimens at
Goz abu Guma, on the White Nile. He observes that the fish will take a baited
hook, but makes a very poor fight for liberty. The stomach of specimens examined
by him contained remains of Synodontis and large mussels.
I have examined the following specimens :—
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861-3. (Types of H. intermedius.)
Goz Shebesha, White Nile-—Loat, 3.1.01.
Goz abu Guma, White Nile—Loat, 1.5.01.
Fashoda, White Nile.—Loat, 19-23.3.01.
-R. Shari-wasu at Maidugari—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
TO) Spree CS)
bo ce, ie
The specimen figured by Geoffroy, the type of the species, has unfortunately not
been preserved, and there is no example to match it in the Paris Museum. It must be
noticed that no specimen has ever been found since with the barbels so short as they
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HETEROBRANCHUS. 30é
are represented in the figure in the great work on Egypt; whether this peculiarity is
to be ascribed to a defective condition of the specimen coupled with inaccuracy on the
part of the artist, or is due to individual variation or to specific difference, in which
case the specimens here described should bear the name /7. senegalensis, must remain
an open question. But there can be no doubt that the specimens named L/. intermedius
cannot be specifically separated from their West-African representatives.
This and the next species are known by the name of AKarmout or Armout and
by the following names noted by Mr. Loat:— Hala” ('») in Upper Egypt;
“kurr” (5) in Nubia; “ surr’ter” (3) at Omdurman.
2, HETEROBRANCHUS LONGIFILIS.
(Plate LIV. fig. 2.)
Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 394, pl. cccexlvii. (1840) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 22
(1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 221 (1869).
Heterobranchus laticeps, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1852, p. 682, and Reise n. Mossamb. iv. p. 87, pl. vil.
fig. 1 (1868) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 265 (1901).
Depth of body six to eight times in the total length, length of head three to |
three and two-thirds times. Head less strongly depressed than in the preceding
species, once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as broad, its upper surface
coarsely granulate in the adult; occipital process acutely pointed; frontal fontanelle
knife-shaped, twice and a half to four times as long as broad, three and a half to six
and a half times in the length of the head; occipital fontanelle small, in advance of
the occipital process ; eye twice and a half (very young) to four and a half times in the
length of the snout, four to nine times in the interorbital width; width of mouth a
little less than the interorbital width; band of pramaxillary teeth five to six times as
long as broad; vomerine teeth also villiform, forming a crescentic band which is nearly
as broad as or a little broader than the premaxillary band. Nasal barbel half to
once the length of the head; maxillary barbel once and one-fifth to twice the length
of the head, extending to the end of the pectoral fin or between this point and the
origin of the anal fin; outer mandibular barbel once and a half to once and three-
fourths as long as inner, which measures half to nearly once the length of the
head. Gill-rakers rather short, 20 to 30 on anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 29 to 34
rays, its distance from the occipital process one-seventh to one-third the length of the
head; adipose dorsal as long as or a little shorter and lower than the rayed dorsal,
commencing immediately behind or at a short distance from the latter. Anal fin with
44 to 54 rays, extending, like the adipose dorsal, to the base of the caudal fin.
Pectoral fin two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, the spine feebly serrated on
SILURIDZE.
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HETEROBRANCHUS. 305
the outer border and measuring half (young) to six-sevenths the length of the fin.
Ventral fin a little shorter, midway between the end of the snout and the base of the
caudal fin, or a little nearer the latter. Caudal fin rounded, half to two-thirds
the length of the head.
Olive above, whitish beneath, sometimes with scattered black blotches; dorsal and
anal fins pale olive, darker towards the edge, which may be margined with red; caudal
fin yellowish or pale orange at the base, with a more or less distinct blackish crescentic
band, sharply defined in front, shading off to yellow or red behind; adipose dorsal fin
often blackish at the end. Iris bronze colour, with a gold circle round the pupil.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 720 millimetres.
H. longifilis is known from the Nile, between Luxor and Khartum, the Omo system,
the Niger, and the Congo. I can see no reason for separating Peters’s H. laticeps,
described from Mozambique (Zambesi, Pomfa, and Licuare Rivers).
List of specimens examined :—
1 Nile.—Old Collection.
1 Luxor.—Loat, 21.10.00.
8 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
2 Assuan.—Loat, 8-20.9.00.
5 Kosheh.—Loat, 10-17.3.00.
1 Khartum, in a rain-water pond.—Petherick, 1863.
2 Cojeb R., affluent of Omo R., 2500 feet.—Zaphiro, 25.5.05.
6 Agberi, S. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
1 Kasai District, Congo.—Demeuse, 1898.
2 Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1901.
I have also examined the type of H. longifilis in the Paris Museum. It isa badly
preserved specimen, measuring 520 millimetres. It has 26 gill-rakers on the anterior
arch, and the pectoral spine measures two-thirds the length of the fin. The nasal
barbel measures half the length of the head, the maxillary barbel once and one-fifth.
H. isopterus, Bleeker, from the Gold Coast, is very closely allied to H. longifilis, but
the pectoral spine is longer, measuring at least three-fourths the length of the fin in
young specimens, the gill-rakers number 18 to 20, and the coloration is different.
2B
306 SILURID A. |
do. HEUTROPIUS.
Miller & Troschel, Hor. Ichthyol. iii. p. 6 (1849) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 52 (1864) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 266 (1901).
Body moderately elongate, strongly compressed, the preecaudal region short. Dorsal
fin short, with a spine and 5 or 6 branched rays; a very small adipose dorsal fin;
anal fin much elongate. Pectoral fin with an outer spinous ray. Ventral fin with
six rays, inserted under the dorsal fin or behind the vertical of the latter. Four pairs
of barbels: nasal, maxillary, and two mentals or mandibulars. Nostrils widely
separated. Eye large, with free border. Jaws with a band of villiform teeth ; a band
of villiform vomero-palatine teeth. Gill-membranes free, deeply notched. Air-bladder
large, free. :
49 vertebre (11+38) in £. niloticus. 9 or 10 branchiostegal rays. The end of
the caudal region is more or less distinctly bent downwards. ‘The supraoccipital
sends off a long styliform process to join the first interneural bone supporting the
dorsal fin.
Males are distinguished by a pointed anal papilla.
This genus is restricted to Tropical Africa and the Nile. Eleven species appear to
be properly characterized.
1. EUTROPIUS NILOTICUS.
(Plate LV. fig. 1.)
Hypophthalmus niloticus, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 6, pl. i. fig. 1 (1829).
Chilbé zérégé, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exciv. no. 4 (1830).
Schilbe hasselquistu, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xiv. p. 377 (1839).
Bagrus schilbeoides, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 389.
Bagrus adansonn, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 391, pl. eccecxiv.
Hutropius niloticus, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 52 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 225 (1869).
Eutropius obtusirostris, Giinther, Cat. t. ¢. p. 53.
Eutropius adansonn, Giinther, t. c. p. 54; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lx. i. 1870, p. 985,
pl. v.
Hutropius altipinnis, Steindachner, Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 57, pl. i. fig. 1.
Depth of body three to four and two-thirds times in the total length, length of
head five to six times. Head once and one-fourth to once and two-thirds as long as
broad; snout broad, projecting slightly beyond the mouth, as long as or a little
EUTROPIUS. oe
longer than the eye in the adult, a little shorter in the young; eye perfectly lateral,
its diameter three (young) to five times in the length of the head, once and a half
(young) to nearly three times in the interorbital width ; width of mouth a little less
than interorbital width ; vomero-palatine teeth forming an uninterrupted band, which
is nearly as broad as or narrower than the band of premaxillary teeth. Nasal barbel
as long as or shorter than the eye; maxillary barbel shorter than the head; inner
mandibular barbel about half the length of the outer, which is inserted behind it ‘and
measures about half to two-thirds the length of the maxillary barbel. Gill-rakers
moderately long, widely set, 7 to 11 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
I 5-6 rays, partly or entirely in advance of the vertical of the ventral fins and twice
to twice and one-third as distant from the caudal fin as from the end of the snout;
its spine slender, feebly serrated behind, measuring three-fourths to once the length of
the head, produced into a short filament. Anal fin with 54 to 69 rays, the 4 or 5
anterior simple, the following gradually decreasing in length. Pectoral fin reaching or
not the ventral, its spine strongly serrated on the inner side and stronger than and
nearly equal in length to that of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked, with the lobes
pointed. Caudal peduncle once and one-fifth to once and a half as long as deep.
Silvery or pale brownish in spirit, darker on the back; a blackish ill-defined blotch
on each side above the pectoral fin, corresponding to the thinned skin over the air-
bladder; dorsal and pectoral fins sometimes blackish.
According to a sketch made by Mr. Loat, the back is olive, shot with bronze-gold,
the silvery sides are shot with very pale pink, the spot above the shoulder is green, not
blackish, the caudal fin is of a dirty yellow, edged with blackish, the ventrals and the
anal are white; the iris is white.
Ruppell describes the fish as silvery white, the back sea-green; fins reddish yellow;
iris straw-yellow. Rifaud’s figure represents it as purplish, with the base of the
fins red.
The largest specimen in the British Museum measures 400 millimetres.
Lutropius niloticus inhabits the whole Nile, the Blue Nile, the White Nile,
Lake Albert, and the rivers of West Africa from the Senegal to the Ogowe. It has
recently been found in the Ubanghi.
List of specimens examined :—
1 HKgypt.—Riippell, 1828. (One of the types.)
2 Nile.—Riippell, 1832.
1 Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
3 Lower Nile-—Old Collection.
2. Near Samannud.—Loat, 22.7.99.
32 Damietta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 3.8.99.
12 Damietta branch of Nile, upstream side of barrage.—Loat, 4.8.99.
6 Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 28-29.7.99.
SILURIDZ.
308
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EUTROPIUS. 309
1 Nile at barrage near Cairo.—Loat, 19.3.99.
3 Nile about 2 miles north of Cairo, close to island of Warrag.—Loat, 15.3.99.
6 Nile at Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 27.3-4.5,99.
10 Beni Souef.—Loat, 26-30.8.99.
3 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
1 Girgeh.—Loat, 14.12.99.
3 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loai, 8.10-12.11.00.
13 Assuan.—Loat, 29.8-12.9.00.
4 Debud.—Loat, 15-16.1.00.
1 Abu Hor.—Loat, 18.1.00.
2 Mirrwan.—Loat, 19.1.00.
1 El Maharakka.—Loat, 24.1.00.
2 Derr.—lLoat, 31.1.00.
1 Kosheh.—Loat, 8.3.00.
3 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
2 Wad Medine, Blue Nile—Loat, 10.10.01.
1 Kawa, White Nile.—Loat, 5.1.01.
1 Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 17.1.01.
1 Tewfikyeh.—Loat, 22.1.01.
4 Fashoda.—Loat, 14.3.01.
8 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 31.1-5.2.01.
1 Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
2 lLagos.—Sir A. Moloney, 1891.
1 Lokoje, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1904.
2 Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1904.
1 Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
2 Ossomari, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
2 Warri, Old Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1894.
7 Old Calabar.—K. Seimund, 1903.
1 Qld Calabar.—Dr. Jackson, 1905.
3. Cameroon.—Salmin, 1871.
2 Cameroon.—Dr. Jackson, 1905.
1 Ogowe.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
1 Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1901,
2 Hrroneously stated to be from India.—Old Collection. (Types of E. obtustrostris. )
I have also examined the types of Kutropius adansonii (Senegal : Adanson) and
Schilbe hasselquistii (Kgypt: Geoffroy) in the Paris Museum. ‘The first is a half-skin
in very bad condition; the second is in spirit, and although the fins are badly
preserved, the adipose dorsal is perfectly distinct. :
The food of this fish consists chiefly of small fishes, worms, insect-larve, and
crustaceans. A specimen from Gharb-el-Aish has remains of a small rodent in the
stomach. Mr. Loat has noted its curious habit of inflating its stomach with air, after
310 SILURIDZ.
it has been caught, which causes it to float upside down for some time when placed in
a tank.
Although despised for the table by Europeans, the Schilbe, or Zerrea, as this fish is
called by the Egyptian fishermen, who do not always make a distinction between it
and the species of the following genus, is fairly abundant in the fish-bazars at Cairo.
Mr. Loat supplies the following list of local names:—“ Zerrea” (4 9), at Cairo, Barrage
N. of Cairo, and Assiut; “shilber nootie” (asb,3 «kh), at Assiut, Beni Souef ; “sharrouk”
(YW, ys), at Kafr-el-Zayat; “zerraygar” (ai), 4j), sometimes used for this species at
Assiut and at Akhmim (this term is also applied at Assuan, with or without the word
“ shilber”’ in front, in the Fayum the term “ shiléer” applies both to this species and
the ordinary “ shilber,” at other places the two species are often included under the
name of “ shilber”’); ‘si? ly’er” (sssw), between Sheilal and Assuan ; “ shilber arabie”
(a,c st) at Omdurman; “wm dan gis” (_paiio a!) on the Blue Nile.
Heckel * has referred to this species a very conventional representation of a fish
in an angling scene on mural paintings near Beni Hassan; a better figure is to be
found in the tomb of Aba, Deir el Gebrawi f.
* Russegger’s Reise Egypt. ui. p. 318.
t Archzol. Sury. Egypt, xi. & xu. 1902.
SCHILBE. old
4, SCHILBE.
Cuvier, Régne Anim. ii. p. 202 (1817), part. ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 49 (1864) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 273 (1901).
Differing from the preceding genus only in the absence of the adipose dorsal fin.
51 vertebre (15+36) in S. mystus, 55 (14+441) in S. wranoscopus.
Also restricted to Tropical Africa and the Nile. Only two species appear to be
entitled to recognition, the shape of the body and the relative length of the barbels
being more variable than was hitherto believed.
1. SCHILBE MYSTUS.
(Plate LVI. fig. 1.)
Silurus mystus, Linneus, in Hasselquist, Reise Palast. p. 419 (1762), and Syst. Nat. i. p. 502
(1766) ; Sonnini, Trav. Egypt, ii. p. 415, pl. v. fig. 3 (1800) ; Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss.
p.. 287, pl. xi. figs. 3 & 4 (1827); Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, pl. xii.
Schilbe mystus, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss.
xiv. p.372 (1839); Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 50 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 222 (1869) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 273 (1901).
Chilbé Cherissi¢, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exciii. no. 30 (1830).
Schilbe intermedius, Riippell, Fortsetz. Beschr. n. Fische, p. 6 (1832).
Schilbe auratus, Joannis, t. c. pl. v. |
Schilbe senegallus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 378.
Schilbe dispila, Giinther, tt. cc. pp. 51, 223, and Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) xvii. 1896, p. 276;
Boulenger, op. cit. p. 274.
Schilbe senegalensis, var. fasciata, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ix. i. 1870, p. 983, pl. vi.
figs. 1 & 2.
Depth of body three to five times in the total length, length of head four and a half
to five and a half times. Head once and one-fifth to once and a half as long as broad ;
lower jaw slightly projecting ; snout broad, as long as the eye in the young, once and a
half to once and two-thirds in the adult; eye perfectly lateral, its diameter three
(young) to six times in the length of the head, once and a half (young) to four times
in the interorbital width ; width of mouth equal to or a little less than the interocular
width; vomero-palatine teeth forming an uninterrupted band, which is narrower than
the band of preemaxillary teeth. Nasal barbel two-fifths to three-fifths the length of
o12 SILURIDA,
the head; maxillary barbel longer, one-half to three-fourths the length of the head;
inner mandibular barbel one-fourth to one-half the length of the outer, which is
inserted behind it and equals or exceeds the length of the maxillary barbel. Gill-
rakers rather long, widely set, 9 to 13 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
I 5-6 rays, partly or entirely in advance of the vertical of the ventral fins, and once and
three-fourths to twice and one-fourth as distant from the caudal fin as from the end of
the snout; its spine slender, feebly serrated behind, measuring three-fifths to three-
fourths the length of the head, produced into a short filament. Anal fin with 53 to
67 rays, the 3 or 4 anterior simple, the following gradually decreasing in length.
Pectoral fin reaching or not the ventral, its spine nearly as long as and stronger than
that of the dorsal, feebly serrated on the inner side. Caudal fin deeply forked, with
more or less pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than
long.
silvery, darker on the back; a blackish ill-defined blotch on each side above the
pectoral fin, corresponding to the thinned skin over the air-bladder; dorsal and
pectoral sometimes blackish. Some young specimens with three dark bands on each
side (var. fasciata of Steindachner), the upper along the back and continued on the
upper lobe of the caudal fin, the lower extending from below the pectoral fin to the
lower lobe of the caudal, the middle one from the humeral spot to the root of
the caudal fin; such specimens have also one or two dark bands along the anal fin.
Traces of these bands may persist in the adult.
A sketch made by Delhez on the Senegal shows the silvery body to be shot with pale
lilac; the back is very dark bluish erey, the caudal fin pale yellowish.
Grows to a length of 340 millimetres. |
The distribution of this species is a very wide one, extending from the Nile Delta
and the Senegal to the Congo and the Zambesi, but not including Lake Tanganyika.
Mr. Loat observes :—“ Fairly numerous in Lakes Menzaleh and Borollos during the
Nile; in Lake Edkou not many even at this time of the year. At Rosetta during
the rise and fall of the Nile. Of the three species of ‘ Schilbes’ this is the commonest
and most widely distributed between the mouth and Haifa; between the First and
Second Cataracts I failed to find it, while Hwéropius niloticus was numerous in that
district. This species also frequents trenches and ponds.”
List of specimens examined :—
Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1832. (One of the types of S. intermedius.)
Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
Lower Nile.—S. 8. Allen, 1862. |
11 Bahr-el-Tawilah, in freshwater canal running into L. Menzaleh, about 5 miles from entrance of
lake.—Loat, 26.6.99.
18 Near Samannud.—Loat, 13.7.99.
42 Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 29-31.7.99.
poicnt be
313
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ol4 SILURID.
5 Nile at Cairo—Loat, 17.6—2.7.00.
3 Nile near Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 27.3.99.
4. Near Oairo, in a canal by the side of the road leading to Pyramids of Giza. — Loat,
Fa.00, |
3 Beni Souef.—Loat, 26.8.99.
3 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
3 Nile at Luxor.—Loat, 21.10.00.
51 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
7 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
9 Near Assuan.—Loat, 31.12.99, 2.9.00.
4 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
14 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 9.10.01.
Fashoda, in a kore.—Loat, 14—-31.3.01.
Sobat R.—Zaphiro, 1904.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 30.1-25.2.01.
(Fondokoro.—Petherick, 1862. (Type of S. dispila.)
Buganga, L. Victoria.—Degen, 15.11.05.
Wondo, Sagan River, L. Abaia.—Zaphiro, 22.8.05.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.— Budgett, 1899.
Sapelle, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1900.
Niger.—Fraser, 1851. (Type of S. dispila.)
Old Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1894.
Gaboon.
Lower Congo.—Greshoff, 1891.
Bangala Country, Congo.—Demeuse, 1898.
Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1895.
Lake Mweru.—Sir A. Sharpe, 1900.
Lake Bangwelo.—Melland, 1905.
Kazungula, Upper Zambesi.—Rev. L. Jalla, 1896.
ee ee a Ne ed ON ee eS od
This Cat fish is as much a carnivore as its European ally Selurus glanis. A specimen
only 150 millimetres long from Khartum (Petherick collection) contained an entire
Alestes baremose 115 millimetres long.
Arabic names, according to Mr. Loat :—“ Shilber ” (ais), at Cairo, Barrage N. of
Cairo, Samannud, Kafr-el-Zayat, Rosetta, Lake Borollos, Fayum, Assiut, Sohag,
Akhmim, Girga, Nag "Hamadeh; “ shilber arabie” (ay ,¢ &%), sometimes applied to
this species to distinguish it from “zerrea” at Kafr-el-Zayat ; “ arrubrub” (23,2), also
known by this name at Akhmim; “ sil’by’er” (ass), between Shellal and Wady
Halfa ; “ shilbya see’‘fare’a” (4) spam), at Omdarman. ‘The name “ shilber ” is
SCHILBE. 315
generally applied to this species throughout the whole of Egypt, but, properly
speaking, it is the plural form of the word, while “ shiléyer ” is the singular.
There is a little bronze model in Mr. Hilton Price’s collection (No. 2717 of his
Catalogue) which I believe to represent this species. Very good representations of
the fish. occur in the fishing-scene in tomb 15 of the Pyramids of Sapara* and in the
tombs of Aba and Zau, Deir-el-Gebrawi +.
2. SCHILBE URANOSCOPUS.
(Plate LV. fig. 2.)
_ Riippell, Fortsetz. Beschr. n. Fische, p. 4, pl. i. fig. 1 (1832) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 49 (1864),
and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 222 (1869).
Schilbe isidort, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xiv. p. 375, pl. eccexii. (1839).
? Schilbe emini, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 32 (1896); Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova,
(2) xix. 1898, p. 245.
This species is closely related to and agrees in most respects with the preceding,
from which it is to be distinguished by the following characters :—The upper profile of
the head is nearly horizontal, the nape ascending very abruptly from the occiput to the
dorsal fin; the eye is larger and supero-lateral in position, its diameter contained four
and a half to five and one-third times in the length of the head in the adult, once and
two-thirds to twice and one-third in the interocular width, the latter being less than
the width of the mouth ; maxillary barbel not half the length of the head in the adult.
Anal fin with 67 to 75 rays. Candal fin with rounded or obtusely pointed lobes.
The coloration in fresh specimens is described by Riippell as silvery, with the back
steel-blue and the head sea-green ; fins flesh-coloured; a more or less distinct brown
streak on the upper lobe of the caudal fin; iris yellowish brown. Young specimens
sometimes with a dark lateral band and a black spot on the dorsal and pectoral fins.
Total length 330 millimetres.
Riuppell’s original specimens were obtained on the Cairo fish-market, but the fish is
evidently a rare one in the Lower Nile. Specimens were obtained in the Upper Nile,
in the Blue Nile, in the White Nile, and in the Bahr-el-Gebel by Petherick and by
Mr. Loat. Pfeffer’s S. emini, which is probably not separable from S. uranoscopus, is
based on an example from the Muhale, a stream in Uniamwesi: a second specimen,
from the Ganana River, has been referred to it by Vinciguerra.
* Cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pl. xlvi.
Tt Cf. Archeol. Surv. Egypt, xi. & xii. (1902).
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SILURIDA.
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SCHILBE. ate
List of specimens examined :—
1 Cairo.—Riippell, 1831. (One of the types.)
2 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
33 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
1 Assuan.—Loat, 29.8.00.
2 Khartum.—Petherick, 1862 *.
30 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 10.10.01.
1 Near Tonga, between the Sobat and L. No.—Loat, 24.1.01.
17 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 25.2.01.
1 Gondokoro.—Loat, 27.1.02.
Native name at Omdurman, according to Mr. Loat, ‘wm kettif” (sks al).
* The half-grown specimen referred to this species by Ginther belongs to S. mystus.
318 SILURIDZ.
5. SILURANODON.
Bleeker, Acta Soc. Se. Ind.-Neerl. iv. 1858, p. 255, and Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 115;
Giinther, Cat. Fish. i. p. 55 (1864).
Body elongate, very strongly compressed, the pracaudal region very short. A very
small rayed dorsal fin, without spines ; no adipose fin ; anal fin much elongate, extending
from the ventrals to the caudal. Pectoral fin with a spinous ray. Ventral fin small,
with 6 rays. No teeth. Eye large, with free border, on a level with the mouth.
Nostrils rather close together. Four pairs of barbels: nasal, maxillary, and two
mandibulars. Gill-membranes free, deeply notched. Air-bladder large and free.
The skeleton resembles that of Hutropius and Schilbe, but the occipital process is
shorter and does not extend to the interneurals of the dorsal fin, the clavicular arch
is much more developed, its width at the symphysis being three-fourths of its transverse
width, and the vertebree number only 51, viz. 11 preecaudal and 40 caudal ; 10 branchio-
stegal rays.
As in Eutropius and Schilbe, the end of the caudal region is bent downwards.
The males have a long, pointed anal papilla.
This very remarkable genus is represented by a single species, confined to the Nile.
1. SILURANODON AURITUS.
(Plate LVI. fig. 2.)
Stlurus auritus, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 289, pl. xi. figs. 1 & 2 (1827); Cuvier &
Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xiv. p. 368 (1839).
Schilbe auritus, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829).
Ouéd denné, Rifaud, Voy. Hgypte, pl. ec. (1830).
Siluranodon auritus, Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Ind.-Neerl. iv. 1858, p. 256 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v.
p- 55 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 226 (1869).
Depth of body four to five times in the total length, length of head five to six times.
Head once and one-third to once and a half as long as broad; snout broad, rounded,
as long as the eye; lower Jaw usually projecting ; eye infero-lateral, better visible from
below than from above, its diameter four to four and a half times in the length of the
head and once and three-fourths to three times in the interocular width ; latter greater
than the width of the mouth. Nasal barbel nearly as long as or a little longer than
the head; maxillary barbel once and one-fourth to once and two-thirds the length of
SILURANODON. 319
the head; mandibular barbels close together on the chin, equal in length, or inner a
little longer than outer, about one-third of the total length. Gill-rakers long and
setiform, 50 to 60 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin small, with 95 rays, all
except the first very feeble and close together, the base of the fin being extremely
short; its distance from the caudal fin twice and a half to three times that separating
it from the end of the snout. Anal fin with 74 to 85 rays, of equal length throughout,
and about half the length of the head, nearly reaching the caudal fin. Pectoral fin
rounded, a little longer than the head, extending beyond the base of the ventral, its
spine feeble, smooth, without any serration, and about three-fourths to four-fifths the
length of the fin. Ventral fin one-third to two-fifths the length of the head, inserted
below the dorsal, or just behind the vertical of its base. Caudal fin notched, with
rounded or obtusely pointed lobes, the upper a little longer than the lower.
Coloration silvery, the head and a dorsal band dull greyish brown, finely speckled
with blackish, this band extending on the upper lobe of the caudal fin; a red spot,
shot with gold, on the gill-cover; a more or less distinct dark. blotch behind the
shoulder; sometimes a dark streak above the lateral line; dorsal fin often blackish ;
caudal fin often edged with blackish ; anal fin often speckled with blackish, especially
on the lower half.
This fish does not appear to exceed a length of 175 millimetres.
Discovered by Geoffroy Saint Hilaire in the Lower Nile at the close of the eighteenth
century, this little Silurid remained one of the rarest in collections. The first
specimens received by the British Museum were presented by Dr. J. C. Mitchell in
1896. Numerous examples were obtained by Mr. Loat in the Lower Nile, at Assuan,
and in the White Nile. I have been able to examine 101 specimens :—
Damietta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 3.8.99.
Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 28-31.7.99.
Near Cairo.—Dr. J. C. Mitchell, 1895.
Nile at Luxor.—Loat, 21.10.00.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 3-10.11.99.
Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
Assuan.—Loat, 10-30.9.00.
Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile, in a kore.—Loat, 6-14.4.01.
Fashoda, in a kore.— Loat, 14-31.3.01.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 4.2.01.
phe
ho
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—
ou
Females full of ripe roe occurred in the Rosetta Nile at the end of July ; males
are a little smaller. As observed by Geoffroy, in accordance with the inferior
position of the eyes, this fish often swims inverted, with the belly upwards; its
large rounded pectoral fins have suggested to the natives a pair of ears, whence the
name “ Oued denné” (So ~,), “ with ears,” which is expressed by the scientific name
320 SILURIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3. 4 3) 6
Total length (without caudal) ........ 00.6... 160 | 150 | 180 | 115 90 80
Greatest depth ............. feeb tat Ree ee wes fae 38 35 31 26 22 19
ional Gl MMU sg ee ccs are ag BREE ears ery 27 26 23 21 jive 15
Wold b- Or dOBdl Ss Shsd,c0 ee mtice peed aod Mee eee a Ge a 20 20 16 15 IBS 10
Lenethh ot snot 62s fee ee ba Se er hes 6 6 6 5 4} 4
ENAmClOE Of OVE... pacar at ste pee ees oe ees 6 6 6 5 44 4
FeMereen MPIC: sect «aide geciea Gales ag 9 ais He oe ead, 18 12 9 nt
SV SGE ROT WOH; Sigua carte poets ale iaa s se ee 11 Le; 8 8 (ee es
ener On Nasal bathel-< 9545 eek ons oes ee a oe 26 25 20 20 23 15
4 WUHRUUATY Valbek wea ct nan eee eee 37 33 29 27 28 23
ps inner mandibular barbel_ .............. 52 53 38 37 30 2G
ss ebethoraal: way 2 peso aw eae pe 15 13 13 12 9 8
Ss ChB yy aa man Gore ee a ee eee ke 29 30 26 26 18 17
1,4. Rosetta Nile.—Loat. 5. Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat.
2. Cairo.—Mitchell. 6. L. No.—Loat.
3. Assuan.—Loat.
proposed by Geoffroy. Other names noted by Mr. Loat are:—“« Widnah” (aio,), at
the Barrage N. of Cairo, Katr-el-Zayat, Assiut; “‘widdndh” (ailo,), at Akhmim ;
“ shilbya are anna” (ais yl a hs), at Omdurman.
PHYSAILIA. 321
6. PHYSAILIA.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vill. 1901, p. 449.
Body elongate, very strongly compressed, the preecaudal region very short; no rayed
dorsal fin, a very small adipose; anal fin much elongate, extending from the ventrals
to the caudal. Pectoral fin with a spinous ray. Ventral fin small, with 6 rays. A
narrow band of very small teeth in the jaws, none on the palate. Hye large, with free
border, on a level with the mouth. Nostrils close together. Four pairs of barbels:
nasal, maxillary, and two mandibulars. Gill-membranes free, deeply notched. Air-
bladder small and free.
‘This genus, represented by three African species*, is closely related to the Asiatic
Ailia, Gray, and the African Parailia, Blgr., differing from the first in the free air-
bladder and the absence of vomerine teeth, from the second in the presence of a small
adipose dorsal fin. |
The skeleton is very similar to that of Eutropius, but the occipital process is short,
the vertebree number 52, 11 precaudal and 41 caudal, and there are 8 branchiostegal
rays.
1. PHYSAILIA PELLUCIDA.
Boulenger, J. ¢.
Depth of body four to four and a half times in the total length, length of head six to
six and a half times. Snout broad, rounded, not projecting beyond: the mouth, a little
longer than the eye, which is pertectly lateral and contained about three times in the
length of the head, and once and one-fourth in the interocular width ; latter a little
ereater than the width of the mouth. Nasal and maxillary barbels two-sevenths to one-
third of the total length, reaching the extremity of the pectoral fin or a little beyond ;
mandibular barbels close together on the chin, subequal in length, one-third to two-fifths
of the total length. Gill-rakers long and slender, about 30 on lower part of anterior
arch. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed, as long as the head, extending beyond the root
of the ventrals, the spine a little shorter and serrated on the inner side. Ventral fins
about one-third the length of the pectorals, about twice and a half as distant from. the
caudal fin as from the end of the snout. Anal fin with 65 to 74 rays, the longest
* Aaha somalensis, Vinciguerra, from the Ganana in Somaliland, and Ailia occidentalis, Pellegrin, from Cape
Lopez, no doubt belong to this genus.
27
322 SILURID.E.
about one-third the length of the head, narrowly separated from the caudal fin, which
is deeply forked, with pointed lobes,
Fig. 27.
Ze Se
: (Bee ge Wy Ke | Ke Ss
) Re SS “
\ : \ WO ; \\ WS
Bes \ iN we
Physaiha pellucida. Natural size.
- Colourless, translucent in life, the air-bladder showing through the thin skin; minute
black dots may be present on the vertebral line and near the anal fin.
104 specimens, varying in length between 67 and 93 millimetres, were obtained on
May 29th, 1901, by Mr. Loat at Omdurman, at the junction of the Blue and White
Niles, in fairly deep water, 10 to 15 yards from the bank.
Measurements (in millimetres).
pce LGA UTs 1 SES aig lie ad aco Oey Were = et Sein We eae ea 2
i PRCA GURU Aor GB ch OL Ug bea Race Gan (ae Beane OR ark eat ean
AO Oe OU a gee ee laa ke hee ee ay OO)
JUNG Gia a Se apa ee ag age ee
Width of head . 8
Length of snout 3}
_ Diameter of eye 4
Interocular width . 5
Width of mouth ea ee AOE pect Sesh a eet tee. 4
aN High eRe asia ag rents kate, $e ee Seas ay Set OR
PSB ORC 7 wien ee Sa Sy a sa. (2 he
Ae at Nessa tg ee eS ee ee Og
Deer Oe OCtON Brg one 8 gee PS eS Se wee
P. occidentalis, Pellegrin, is, as pointed out by its describer, very similar to the Nile
species ; the only difference revealed by the description resides in the smaller number
of anal rays, viz. 61. PP. somalensis, Vinciguerra, is described as having the pectoral
spine non-serrated and the barbels about half as long as the head and body.
S's)
BAGRUS. 39
7. BAGRUS.
Cuvier, Régne Anim. ii. p. 204 (1817), part.* ; Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 96 ;
Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 69 (1864).
Body moderately elongate, feebly compressed. Dorsal and anal fins short, the former
consisting of a spine and 8 to 11 soft rays and followed by a very long adipose fin.
Pectoral fins with a spine. Ventral fin with 6 rays, inserted below or just behind the
vertical of the posterior part of the dorsal fin. Four pairs of barbels: nasal, maxillary,
and two mandibulars. Nostrils widely separated from each other. Kye superior
or supero-lateral, with free border. Jaws with a band of villiform teeth; a similar
band of teeth on the vomers. Gill-membranes free, deeply notched. Air-bladder
large, free.
22 or 23 precaudal and 30 to 34 caudal vertebree. 13 branchiostegal rays.
An exclusively African genus, with seven species, three of which occur in the Nile
system.
Synopsis of the Species.
Head once and three-fifths to once and three-fourths as long as broad 3; last
ray of dorsal fin behind the vertical of the inner ray of the ventral ;
maxillary barbel extending to the extremity of the ventral fin or
beyord:.. yes-m Mol ec 1. B. bayad, Forsk.
Head once and one-third to once and three-fifths as long as broad ; last ray
of dorsal fin in advance of the inner ray of ventral; maxillary barbel
extending nearly to the base of the ventral fin or beyond .
Head once and two-fifths to once and a half as long as broad ; last ray of
dorsal fin in advance of the ventrals; maxillary barbel extending
barely to the end of the pectoral fin in the adult, to the ventral fin in
2. B. doemac, Forsk.
the young 3. B. degent, Blgr.
Of the four other known species, B. wrostigma, Vincig., inhabits the Ganana River
(Upper Juba), B. orientalis, Blgr., the Pangani River, B. meridionalis, Gthr., the Upper
Shiré River, and B. ubangensis, Blgr., the Ubanghi. The genus is thus represented in
all the principal river-systems of Africa.
* The name appears only in the French form, “‘ Les Bagres,” in the two editions of the ‘ Régne Animal.’
The name was first latinized by Riippell in 1829, as quoted in the synonymy of the Nilotic species.
272
324 SILURID A.
1. BAGRUS BAYAD.
(Plate LVIL.)
Silurus baad, Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 66 (1775).
Poreus bayad, I, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 303, pl. xv. figs. 1 & 2 (1827).
Bagrus bayad, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist, Poiss.
xiv. p. 397 (1839); Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 69 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 227
(1869).
Bagara Bachika, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exciv. (1830).
Depth of body four and one-fourth to five and two-thirds times in the total length,
length of head three and one-third to four times. Head much depressed, once and three-
fifths to once and three-fourths as long as broad, smooth above or finely striated on
the sides of the elongate fontanelle ; occipital process long and narrow, in contact
with the first interneural bone, which is hidden under the skin; snout broadly
rounded or truncate, projecting beyond the lower jaw, once and two-thirds (young)
to three and two-thirds times as long as the eye, which is four and a half (young) to
eleven times in the length of the head and once and a half to three and two-thirds
times in the interocular width; width of mouth twice and one-fifth to twice and two-
thirds in the length of the head; premaxillary band of teeth six or seven times as long
as broad, a little shorter than and about as broad as or a little narrower than the band of
vomerine teeth. Nasal barbel one-fourth (adult) to three-fifths the length of the head;
maxillary barbel twice (adult) to three and one-third times the length of the head, reaching
the extremity of the ventral fin or the anal fin in the adult, the caudal peduncle or the
caudal fin in the young; outer mandibular barbel once and a half to twice the length
of the inner, and two-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head. Gill-rakers rather
long, widely set, 11 to 16 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with I 9 to 11
(usually 10) rays, the last behind the vertical of the inner ray of the ventral fin; spine
smooth, moderately strong, one-half to three-fifths the length of the head ; anterior soft
rays more or less produced into filaments. Adipose dorsal fin three and a half to five
times as long as deep, about twice as long as the rayed dorsal, from which it is
narrowly separated. Anal fin with 13 to 15 rays, 9 to 10 of which are branched.
Pectoral fin two-fifths to one-half the length of the head, its spine moderately strong,
feebly serrated on the inner side. Ventral fin nearly equally distant from the end.
of the snout and from the root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin deeply forked, each
Jobe produced into a long filament. Caudal peduncle a little longer than deep.
Mr. Loat describes the colour of young specimens as pale silvery grey above and
white beneath, slightly shot with green and gold in places, the fins colourless. The
upper parts are darker in adult specimens, and, as shown by a coloured sketch made by
BAGRUS. 325
Delhez on the Senegal, the sides, the belly, the dorsal and paired fins may be yellow
and the anal and caudal fins red; iris yellow. Dark dots are sometimes scattered con
the back, the adipose fin, and the caudal fin.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 600 millimetres, but the species is
said to grow to nearly 1 metre.
Bagrus bayad is known from the Nile, the Blue Nile, and the White Nile ot
Lake Albert, also from the Chad Basin, the Senegal, and the Niger. According
to Dr. J. C. Mitchell, it avoids salt water, being found only in the fresh portions fo
Lake Menzaleh after the high Nile. Mr. Loat adds that a few are taken in Lakes
Borollos and Edkou, but almost exclusively during Nile time. The specimens from
the Pangani River referred to this species by Giinther and Playfair* have been
named by me Bagrus orientalis f.
List of specimens examined :-—
Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 25.4.99.
2 Near Ghet-el-Nassara, in a freshwater pool.—Loat, 11.6.99.
Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12-14.7.99.
1 Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 31.7.99.
34 Nile near Cairo, upstream side of barrage.—Loat, 4.8.99.
Nile near Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 27.3.99.
Nile near Cairo, bought in Boulak Fish Bazar.—Loat, 19-20.3.99.
Nile close to Cairo.—Loat, 15.3.99.
Cairo.—Petherick, 1860.
Wasta.—Loat, 17.9.99.
12 Beni Souef.—Loat, 12.8-2.9.99.
2 Biba.—Loat, 28.8.99.
1 Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, F299.
1 Nagadah.—Loat, 22.12.99.
8 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 3-10.11.00.
20 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Assuan.—Riippell, 1822.
Assuan.—Loat, 4-30.9.00.
Island of Arko.—Loat, 16.4.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 14.10.01.
Kaka, White Nile.— Loat, 15.1.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Fashoda.—Loat, 20.3.01.
Bahr Zeraf.—Capt. Flower, 25.38.00.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 28.1-3.2.01.
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ho
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OS me bo RK Re Fe So
* Fishes of Zanzibar, p. 114.
t Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. ii. 1902, p. 37.
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06/4 201 |) ber eal | 966 | 288 | Lee | 096 SFG og 2 Ma 82d aR i RT “rset Toque EH,
Bad CE 6 ee OC Oh ERT Be. Oi aebel BR pms a we eer a Frereseees Teqaeq [ust yy
OP et | eee me : oe Vip cr | cae | Go oat anes ek are TN ZRe Te "oss GyMour Jo YPM.
eo el | BB! Ole MPG th Oa Ai Oe ule Tt | Go gp cae nana) os ee pe aeonetay
| Be i, | be wat | Ob CE | et Sheet vey | ot | ot ono ee Nets rrrtesesess sce’ ga Jo Jeqouerc
| ey SR | Sb ieee | fo 1 Geel Ge.) Gp oleae pe br PA Serta rrtseescsscs ss qnous Jo yysuerT
gl | 61 | 2z roe NG Ceti aie eas Om Me MMUW GM Mea Manatee eew grea ce tts
| es | ee | oF | 9¢ | ch | 68 | oot| att! oat} oet| get] eat pret Ei an crests" peey Jo yysuery
Bl een | ee th | OG SO Re ee Gg | SOR OEE de ORL Pe ane Oo a a Ne ae een aie)
OL) ORL aor 008 cso} ge” 0g | SOF 0GF C6h) Geo) Og ttt (fepnvo qnoyzim) yysuey [eqo7,
7 er ak ne |
ral BLT LN at 8 Milan Rios eas % Bil igs leas
‘(SOLJOUIIT[LUW UL) spuawainsna yy
Co
BS
oe
BAGRUS,
Wadelai.—Budgett, 7.9.02.
Fajao, Victoria Nile-—Budgett, 25.8.02.
Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
Shari R. at Maidugari.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Mureji, N. Nigeria.—Budgett, 1903.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
hm DO OCR Re ee Oe
Numbers of this and the following fish are brought on the fish-markets, but the flesh
is not valued by Europeans.
This is the well-kown Bayad or Bayada, Baggar or Baggare of the Egyptians *.
The following list of names is supplied by Mr. Loat :—* Bayada” (aly), “ bug'gar ”
or “ bug’ gara” (3%) 5%), “shakarkh” (~ pis), “eba@der” (xd)), “fatelah bayada”
(cdl able), in Egypt; “da’show’gar” (_,§,4\0) or “essin tegar” (_,% (,s|), between Shellal
and Wady Halfa; ‘‘dak’show’gar” (5 9% 2'0) or ‘dash’ koak ” (,04'9), used south of
Halfa; “‘ wm’slaim ” (edhe a!)s at Omdurman.
Specimens have been kept over two years in the Gezira Aquarium f and fed on raw
meat; they spend nearly the whole of the dayhght hours in the crevices of the
rock-work, and are therefore seldom seen.
2, BAGRUS DOCMAC.
(Plate LVIII.)
Silurus doemak, Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 65 (1775).
Silurus bajad (non Forskal), Sonnini, Trav. Egypt, p. 475, pl. xvi. fig. 2 (1800).
Porcus docmac, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 304, pl. xv. figs. 3 & 4 (1827).
Bagrus docmac, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss.
xiv. p. 404 (1839) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 70 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 228°
(1869) ; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xix. 1898, p. 245.
Depth of body four to five and one-third times in the total length, length of head three
and one-fourth to four times. Head much depressed, once and one-fifth to once and
three-fifths as long as broad, smooth above; occipital process long and narrow, in
contact with or narrowly separated from the interneural bone; snout broadly rounded,
* The late Colonel Grant was probably misinformed when he wrote (Journ. R. Geogr. Soc. xiii. 1872,
p. 311) “The Egyptians call cattle ‘ Bagra,’ which, I am told, is the derivation for the generic name
{ Bagrus].”
+ S. Flower, Rep. Zool. Gard. Giza, 1903, p. 48, and 1904, p. 26.
328 SILURIDZ.
projecting beyond the lower jaw, once and two-thirds (young) to four times as long as
the eye, which is five (young) to twelve times in the length of the head and once and
two-thirds to three and two-thirds times in the interocular width; width of mouth twice
to twice and a half in the length of the head; premaxillary band of teeth five to seven
times as long as broad, a little shorter than and about as broad as the band of
vomerine teeth. Nasal barbel one-fifth (adult) to one-half the length of the head;
maxillary barbel once and four-fifths (adult) to three and one-fourth times the length of
the head, reaching the ventral fin or not quite so far in the adult, the anal fin or the
caudal peduncle in the young; outer mandibular barbel once and two-fifths to twice
and one-fourth the length of the inner, and two-thirds to once and one-fourth the
length of the head. Gill-rakers rather long, widely set, 9 to 12 on lower part of
anterior arch. Dorsal fin with I 8 to 10 rays (usually 9), the last in advance of the
vertical of the inner ray of the ventral fin; spine smooth, moderately strong, not half
the length of the head; anterior soft rays more or less produced into filaments in the
adult. Adipose dorsal fin four to five times as long as deep, once and two-thirds to
twice as long as the rayed dorsal, from which it is narrowly separated. Anal fin with
12 to 14 rays, 8 or 9 of which are branched. Pectoral fin about three-fifths to two-
thirds the length of the head, its spine moderately strong, feebly serrated on the inner
side. Ventral fin equally distant from the eye and the root of the caudal, or a little
nearer the latter. Caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe produced into a long
filament. Caudal peduncle not or but little longer than deep.
Greyish blue to dark olive above, white beneath, the whole body sometimes shot
with gold and green; some blackish may be present on the dorsal, anal, and ventral
fins; blackish dots sometimes present on the posterior part of the back and on the
adipose fin.
The largest specimen examined measures 600 millimetres.
The habitat of this species extends from the Nile Delta to Lake Victoria and the
Shoa tributaries of the Blue Nile. It has been recorded from the Ganana River and
Lake Stephanie by Dr. Vinciguerra, and found in the Omo and Sagan Rivers by
Mr. Zaphiro.
List of specimens examined :—
5 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
5 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12—13.7.99.
4 Cairo.—Riippell, 1834.
2 Nile near Cairo.—Loat, 14—28.3.99.
2 Nile near Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 27.3.99
1 Biba.—Loat, 14.9.99.
18 Beni Souef.—Loat, 18.8-2.9.99.
Sanhur.— Loat, 5.9.99.
Assiut.—Loat, 6.12.99.
bed
pxad
*
BAGRUS.
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U
330 SILURID A,
1 Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
4 Nile at Luxor.—Loat, 10-21.10.00.
25 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
3 Edfu.—Loat, 6.10.00.
15 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
24 Assuan.—Loat, 4~31.9.00.
L Mirrwau.—LToat, 21.1.00.
1 Biba.—Loat, 14.9.99.
1 Korosko.—Loat, 28.1.00.
1 Derr.—Loat, 31.1.00.
7 Kosheh.—Loat, 13-17.3.00.
2 Cataract at Hannek.—Loat, 24.4.00.
20 Island of Arko, in a pond.-—Loat, 15.4.00.
11 Khartum.-—Petneri¢ck, 1861.
1 Omdurman.—Loat, 23.5.01.
1 Tewfikyeh.—Loat, 22.1.01.
1 Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
3 Bunjako, Lake Victoria. —Degen, 5-14.11.05.
1 Buddu coast of Lake Victoria.—M. Simon, 1906.
1 Moger R. (trib. of Blue Nile), Shoa.—Degen, 5.4.02.
1 Ergino R. (trib. of Omo), 3000 feet.— Zaphiro, 8.7.05.
€ Sagan R. at Wondo (L. Abaia), 2800 feet.—Zaphiro, 22.8.05.
One of these specimens, a large one from Biba, has the occipital region swollen and
the snout bent down at an angle to it, thus repeating to a certain extent the anomaly
on which the genus Clarotes was founded by Kner.
At Beni Souef, according to Mr. Loat’s notes, the fish is said to spawn in January,
using holes in the bank of the river to deposit its eggs, one or both of the parents
probably keeping watch over them, swimming out if disturbed and trying to drive
away the intruder.
Native names according to Mr. Loat :—* Farfour” (_,3,3), the name in general use
throughout Egypt; “docma” or “doc’mac” (4430), only very occasionally used in
Egypt; “mis'lo’gar” (Rights); at Kosheh; “ kabberose”’ ( us| 75), at Omdurman.
Specimens of Bagrus docmac, buried in a thick layer of ashes, the body-cavities,
mouths, and gill-chambers filled with the same, were found by Mr. Loat in 1903,
in the animal cemetery of Medinet Gurob, on the border of the province of the
Fayum *.
* Cf, Loat, ‘Gurob, Egyptian Research Account,’ x. 1904, pp. 5 & 6.
BAGRUS. 331
3. BAGRUS DEGENI.
(Plate LIX.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 438.
Depth of body four and a half to five and a half times in the total length, length
of head three and one-fifth to three and two-thirds times. Head much depressed, once
and two-fifths to once and a half as long as broad, smooth above; occipital process
long and narrow, narrowly separated from the interneural bone; snout broadly
rounded, projecting beyond the lower jaw, once and two-thirds (young) to twice and
three-fourths as long as the eye, which is five (young) to eleven times in the length
of the head and once and a half to twice and three-fourths in the interocular width ;
width of mouth twice to twice anda half in the length of the head ; premaxillary
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without caudal): 02:0. 6:5 gsavs ieee ca 460 390 230 180 115
(Greatest dept G.biu Soc A eae oes eee Cee ey 95 75 43 39 23
henetin-oF Wedd: 1570. . y sips teisa deena eres aie 185 108 70 57 37
Width O8 Tedd 2.052). a5 iad wees eae ane ee Sie 93 78 48 36 25
Bese rei 4 see) aici 6s ee Mp, ance vee eee met Tees. Wee os a 23 19 1B
| iinet er OLE Re 2° oirviad <a ga ee want ee ee 16 15 12 eg 9 7
| Interocular width «...6. 00.600 - pees eee eee es 45 36 24 18 Iie
) Wriidiilr-ot pivot)" Sgces Spateiy 0 us roe ete pears eee 58 48 33 25 16
Wael barbeh gales bien cecs pot ee eee ee ee 19 20 2? 16 13 |
Maxitllany: Barbe c30 0 ccs eoc sea ant aa wels Serna a eae 170 155 140 100 86
Outer mandibular barbel oc p52). t2c5) wea we Cet 671 ee 56 43 33 |
Lnner mandibalertbarbel’ a. Wie ola? ee ale es 37 34 on eo 16
Fisength @& torsal Spit: gon aban aa Meee on ee oe 54 40) 32 22 15
| Basal Joneth ot -dorngal firs wok eas te ee Be bees 73 60 39 29 19
| - = BGPPOSe 1. 6k pee ew eek ees 115 100 59 47 32
| oeetiegn cer pMal Hi od ts ets es oe 67 55 38 34 23
* The eye on the left side, that on the right side being abnormally small, measuring only 8 millim.
2U2
332 SILURIDZ.
band of teeth six or seven times as long as broad, shorter than and as broad as ora
little narrower than the vomerine band. Nasal barbel one-seventh (adult) to
one-third the length of the head; maxillary barbel once and one-fourth (adult)
to twice and one-third the length of the head, extending barely to the end of the
pectoral fin in the adult, to the end of the ventral fin in the young ; outer mandibular
barbels once and a half to once and five-sixths the length of the inner and one-half
to nearly once the length of the head. Gill-rakers rather long, widely set, 10 or 11
on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with I 9 rays, the last in advance of the
vertical of the inner ray of the ventral fin; spine smooth, less than half the length
of the head; longest soft ray one-half to three-fourths the length of the head.
Adipose dorsal fin four to five and a half times as long as deep, once and a half to
ence and two-thirds as long as the rayed dorsal; the space between the two dorsal fins
one-half to two-thirds the length of the first. Anal fin with 12 or 15 rays, 8 or 9 of
which are branched. Pectoral fin one-half to three-fifths the length of the head, its spine
moderately strong, not serrated in the adult. Ventral fin equally distant from the eye
and the root of the caudal fin, or a little nearer the latter. Caudal fin deeply forked,
the upper lobe produced into a long filament. Caudal peduncle not or but little
longer than deep.
Blackish brown or dark steel-blue above, whitish or brassy yellow beneath ; fins grey
to blackish ; iris dark, with a vivid yellow ring.
Total length of largest specimen 490 millimetres.
Seven specimens were obtained by Mr. EK. Degen in Lake Victoria, at Entebbe,
Sept. 9th to Oct. 10th, 1905. Native name Semutundu. Pe
‘This species stands very near the preceding, from which it is distinguished by the
shorter barbels and the smaller adipose dorsal fin.
CHRYSICHTHYS. 333
8. CHRYSICHTHYS.
Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Ind.-Neerl. iv. 1858, p. 60, and Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 95 ;
Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 70 (1864) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 277 (1901).
Body moderately elongate, feebly compressed. Dorsal and anal fins short, the
former consisting of a spine and 5 or 6 soft rays and followed by an adipose fin.
Pectoral fin with a spine. Ventral fin with 6 rays, inserted behind the vertical of the
dorsal fin. Four pairs of barbels: nasal, maxillary, and two mandibulars. Nostrils
widely separated from each other. Eyes supero-lateral, with free border. Jaws with
a band of villiform teeth ; a band of teeth on the vomers, often extending also on the
pterygoids. Gill-membranes free, deeply notched. Air-bladder large, free.
10 to 20 pracaudal and 24 to 27 caudal vertebra, 16 + 25 in C. auratus, 17 +24 in
C. rueppellit. 9 or 10 branchiostegal rays. A more or less distinct foramen above the
axil *, leading to the membrane of the air-bladder.
All the species are African. Over twenty have been described, but the characters
of many of these are still insufficiently defined. One species is known from the
Nile, whilst a second, which was first distinguished by Gunther, is perhaps not entitled
to stand.
The fishes of this genus are carnivorous, feeding chiefly on other fishes, crustaceans,
and mollusks. C. auratus has been observed in the Gezira Aquarium f to eagerly eat
pieces of bread.
1. CHRYSICHTHYS AURATUS.
(Plate LX. fig. 1.)
Pimelodus auratus, Geoffroy, Deser. Egypte, Poiss. pl. xiv. figs. 3 & 4 (1809).
Porcus auratus, I. Geoftroy, op. eit. p. 802 (1827).
Abou Crata, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exev. (1835). |
Bagrus auratus, Riippell, N. Nachtr. Beschr. Fische Nil, p. 25 (1835) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes,
Hist. Poiss. xiv. p. 427 (1839). cee
Bagrus capito, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 430.
Chrysichthys auratus, Bleeker, Acta Soc. Sc. Ind.-Neerl. iv. 1858, p. 65.
* First noticed by Riippell, N. Nachtr. Beschr. Fische Nil, p. 26 (18385).
+ S. Flower, Rep. Zool. Gardens Giza, 1908, p. 44.
04 SILURIDZ.
Chrysichthys capito, Bleecker, |. ¢.
Chrysichthys macrops, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 71 (1864), Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 230 (1869), and
Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 719, fig. 2.
Depth of body three and two-thirds to five and one-third times in the total length,
length of head three and one-third to three and a half times. Head moderately
depressed, once and one-fifth to once and one-third as long as broad, its upper surface
more or less rugose, the rugosities usually showing under the thin skin; occipital
process narrow, extending to the small interneural shield ; snout broadly rounded; eye
large, transversely oval, its diameter once (young) to once and three-fourths in the length
of the snout, three to four and a half times in the length of the head, once and one-
fourth to twice in the interocular width ; mouth inferior, its width equal to or a little
ereater than the interocular width ; preemaxillary band of teeth twice and a half to three
and a half times as long as broad; vomero-pterygoid teeth forming a narrow band
narrowly interrupted in the middle, sometimes reduced to the vomerine part. Nasal
barbel one-fifth to three-fifths the diameter of the eye ; maxillary barbel three-fifths to
nearly once the length of the head; mandibular barbels shorter, the inner about two-
thirds or three-fourths the length of the outer. Gill-rakers rather short, 10 to 12 on
lower part of anterior arch. Humeral process short, acutely pointed. Dorsal fin with
I 6 rays; the spine strong, feebly serrated behind, three-fifths to two-thirds the length
of the head ; first soft ray usually more or less produced, sometimes much longer than
the head *. Adipose dorsal fin as long as or longer than the base of the rayed dorsal,
usually shorter than its distance from the latter. Anal fin with 11 to 13 rays, 6 or 7
(rarely 8) branched. Pectoral fin shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral,
with a strong spine bearing 5 (young) to 13 strong serre on the inner side. Ventral
fin a little nearer the root of the caudal fin than the end of the snout. Caudal fin
deeply forked, the lobes acutely pointed, the upper often produced into a short
filament. Caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and two-thirds as long as
deep.
In life the fish is of a more or less dull buffish grey above, silvery white beneath,
the whole body more or less shot with light green and pale pink, the green colour
more marked on a band along each side of the back and on a patch behind the eye;
an ill-defined dark transverse band behind the head and another in front of the dorsal
fin; pectoral, ventral, and anal fins sometimes tinged with pale yellonass orange; the
caudal and anal fins sometimes tinged with pink or red.
Total length not exceeding 220 millimetres.
Chrysichthys auratus inhabits the Nile from Damietta to Gondokoro. It has
recently been found in Lake Chad.
* This character is not in any way connected with age, beiug as strongly marked in some young as in
adult,
CHRYSICHTHYS.
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336 | SILURID®.
List of specimens examined :—
Lower Nile.—Riippell, 1833. (Type of C. macrops.)
Near Damietta, in a freshwater trench.—Loat, 2.6.99.
Near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh, in a freshwater pool.—Loat, 11.6.99.
33 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12—22.7.99.
2 Damietta branch of Nile, upstream side of barrage —Loat, 4.8.99.
3 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 7-27.6.00.
Nile near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 9.8.04.
10 Beni Souef—Loat, 13-31.8.99.
Lahun, Bahr Yusuf, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 6.10.99.
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 6.10-12.11.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23-24.2.00.
Kosheh, Nubia, in pond left by receding Nile.—Loat, 14.3.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861. (Types of C. macrops.)
Nur-ed-Dain, White Nile-—Loat, 6.1.01.
Between Khartum and the Sobat.—Zaphiro, 1904.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 20.1-3.3.02.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
“Iw
ica haber Soman ent ot nuatewe MR SI oe A Soran EC
Mr. Loat has observed that this fish, when first taken out of the water, makes a
creaking noise with its pectoral fins, but not nearly so loud as in Synodontis schall.
According to Geoffroy the name of the fish is “ Schal Abou Réal” in Lower Egypt,
“ Zamar” in Upper Egypt, “ Xaxoung-rowmi” at Rosetta. Native names according
to Mr. Leat:-—“ Shal aboo riyala” (ay, 9) Sis), at Cairo, Beni-Souef; “ shal shamie”
(2pou%,) 4), near Lake Menzaleh, Samannud ; “ aboo riyala” (ay, \), sometimes referred
to by this name without putting the word “shal” in front; ‘“gorgar shamie”
(apold 53 5). at Girga, Nag’Hamadeh; “ darbour” ( yy ip) in the Fayum ; “ se’de’mas low ”
(swe csdpu),at Wady Halfa; “ba me’s’kar” (Suc), at Kosheh.
CHRYSICHTHYS. Sat
2. CHRYSICHTHYS RUEPPELLI.
(Plate EX fies 2.)
Chrysichthys auratus (non Geoffroy), Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 71 (1864), and Petherick’s Tray.
ii. p. 229 (1869).
Chrysichthys auratus, part., Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 718, fig. 1*.
Whilst provisionally accepting the division of the Nile Chrysichthys into two species,
as proposed by Gunther, I must differ from him as to the names they should bear,
it being evident, from an inspection of the plate in the ‘ Description de l’Kgypte,’ that
the name auratus was intended by Geoffroy St. Hilaire to apply to the commoner form
with long and acutely pointed lobes to the caudal fin and a more or less produced ray
to the dorsal fin. I therefore propose the name rueppelli for the form named auratus
by Giinther.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (withouteestidal):. 0... sees. cee ee ee 205 145 142 110
Greatest depth 0. .icaade we eg eee eens 46 36 37 27
Length of bead ors es eo ees 5 i epee Mga eects 58 4] 42 33
Width of Mende es al ie ato hoe tae eee 46 30 34 27
Lerieth of sib" plekacc tes ceuatee eae peta ee 15 13 10
Diameter Of -eyG: 525 25 eae i ee ee ee a | aE 10 9 8
Taterorbital with...) cae pe aes E Ane siene 26 2] 20 14
Widths ok miGube - sc ey. = ce ee a eee ee ee ae 22 20 Ry
hemet het tesa ket be be 2 Fo ctl aries Gu ieee | 6 2 S 2
| a imarllairy saber Sasi ae eee | 38 26 29 ral
i outer mandibular barbel- ics @iitl. ta ; 26 sg’ 16 15
‘ inner mandibulat:barbel “2y 20.8. fe: 18 ck ibe 10
re GORAH SaURO "slat ee Gh nets see eee a ads, | 2 20 20 5
" first soft dotsak Taye 6. ok booths apa es 47 31 OL OT
a pockorabithas a. Wee yi eaege eee ee 34 aT 28 19
* The figure of the dentition is taken from Riippell’s Nile specimen, but the remarks on specimens from
the Gold Coast (Rivers Prah and Offin) refer toa distinct fish with rugose head, narrower interocular
region, longer barbels, a shorter adipose dorsal fin, and longer, acutely pointed lobes to the caudal fin.
2s
DIS SILURIDZA.
C. rueppelli is very closely related to the preceding species, but may be
distinguished from it by the generally smaller eye, especially as compared to the
interocular width (its diameter once and three-fourths, in the young, to twice and
one-third, in the adult, in the interocular width), the usually longer adipose dorsal fin
(its base equal to or very slightly less than its distance from the rayed dorsal), and by
the shorter and rounded or very obtusely pointed lobes of the caudal fin (the longest
rays twice to twice and a half the length of the median). ‘The first soft ray of the
dorsal fin is not produced, and the upper surface of the head is smooth, covered with
a thick skin. The band of premaxillary teeth is twice and a half to three times as
long as broad, and the vomero-pterygoid teeth form a rather narrow but long band,
which is narrowly interrupted in the middle. 6 branched dorsal and 7 branched
anal rays.
The coloration is the same as in C. auratus.
Total length 225 millimetres.
I have examined only four specimens of this fish, the measurements of which are
here given. The largest is from the Lower Nile, from Rippell’s Collection, the three
others were obtained by Mr. Loat in a freshwater eo near Ghet-el-Nassara, Lake
Menzaleh, on June 11th, 1899. |
CLAROTES. Doe
9, CLAROTES.
Kner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, xvii. 1855, p. 318 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 73 (1864).
(ronocephalus, Kner, |. c.
Octonematichthys, Bleeker, Act. Soc. Se. Ind.-Neerl. iv. 1858, p. 60, and Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i.
1863, p,99-
Distinguished from Chrysichthys only by the presence of rays (one thick anterior
spinous ray and several articulated soft rays) in the adipose dorsal fin. But, as pointed
out by Giinther, there is no sign of these rays in very young specimens, the adipose
fin of which cannot be distinguished from that of a Chrysichthys; they first appear as
HAE
|
Skeleton of end of caudal region of Clarotes laticeps.
slender, hair-like, horny filaments, and they are gradually transformed into structures
similar to those of the anterior dorsal fin, except that they are deprived of endoskeletal
supports or baseosts *; the spine is formed by the fusion of fulcra-like scutes.
The skeleton of the single known species is quite similar to that of Chrysichthys ;
there are 19 preecaudal and 24 caudal vertebre.
The “ porus lateralis’? above the base of the pectoral, which Kner was unable to
find, is as well developed as in Chrysichthys auratus.
* In his paper on the dermal fin-rays of fishes, Mr. B. 8. Goodrich (Q. J. Mier. Sci. xlvii. 1904, p. 465)
has abstained from considering such cases, of which there are several among the Siluride. He is not justified
in his broad statement (p. 473) that there are never any lepidotrichia (as he terms the articulated rays) in
the adipose dorsal fin of Siluride.
vee at
340 SILURIDA.
1. CLAROTES LATICEPS.
(Plate LXI.)
Pimelodus laticeps, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 7, pl. i. fig. 2 (1829).
Bagrus nigrita, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xiv. p. 426, pl. eecexvi. (1839).
Bagrus laticeps, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Hgypt. iii. p. 331 (1849).
Clarotes heuglinti, Kner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, xvii. 1855, p. 313, pls. i. & ii. ; Hyrtl, Denkschr. Ak.
Wien, xvi. 1858, p. 1, pl. — ; Kner, Arch. f£. Naturg. 1865, ii. p. 101.
Octonematichthys nigrita, Bleeker, Act. Soc. Se. Ind.-Neerl. iv. 1858, p. 65.
Clarotes laticeps, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 73 (1864), Zool. Rec. 1866, p. 150, and Petherick’s Trav.
il. p. 231 (1869) ; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xv. 1895, p. 39, xvii. 1896, p. 27, and
1897, p. 349.
Chrysichthys cranchix (non Leach), Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lx. i. 1870, p. 987.
Chrysichthys ngrita, Sauvage, N. Arch. Mus. (2) iii. 1880, p. 40.
Depth of body four and one-fourth to five and two-thirds times in the total length,
length of head twice and four-fifths to three and one-fourth times. Head much
depressed, once and one-seventh to once and one-third as long as broad, its upper surface
rugose with fine granulations, which are most crowded on the occiput; operculum with
radiating striz ; occipital process as long as broad, nearly as long as the small inter-
neural shield with which it is in contact; snout broad, rounded or truncate ; eye large,
transversely oval, its diameter once (young) to three times in the length of the snout,
once and a half to five times in the interocular width ; mouth inferior, its width equal
to or a little greater than the interocular width ; premaxillary band of teeth five to
seven times as long as broad; vomero-pterygoid teeth forming a narrow band, often
narrowly interrupted in the middle, sometimes also on the sides. Nasal barbel one-
fourth to two-fifths the length of the head; maxillary barbel flattened, band-like at
the base, nearly once to once and two-thirds the length of the head; outer mandibular
barbel once and one-third to once and four-fifths as long as the inner, one-half to nearly
once the length of the head. Giull-rakers rather long, 16 to 22 on lower part of anterior
arch. Humeral process short, acutely pointed, granulate. Dorsal fin with I 6 rays ;
the spine strong, feebly serrated behind in the young, with granulations in front in the
adult, one-half to two-thirds the length of the head; first soft ray longer, but always
shorter than the head. Second dorsal fin short, deeper than long, its distance from
the first about twice as great as the basal length of the latter; the rays not distinct in
specimens under 100 millim. total length, the strong anterior spine fully ossified in
specimens over 400 millim. Anal fin with 12 to 14 rays, 7 or 8 branched. Pectoral
fin much shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral, with a strong spine bearing
5 (young) to 18 serre on the inner side; these serree much stronger in proportion in
341
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342 SILURIDA.
the young than in the adult, which have a fine serration on the outer edge. Ventral
fin much nearer the root of the caudal fin than the end of the snout. Caudal fin
deeply forked, the lobes acutely pointed in the young, more obtusely, or even rounded
in the adult. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little longer than deep. Tubes of
the lateral line strongly branched.
Brown above, silvery white below; a blackish spot above the humeral process; a
brown or blackish band on each lobe of the caudal fin. A coloured sketch of an adult
specimen, made by P. Delhez at St. Louis, Senegal, represents the rays of the first
dorsal as reddish, the ventral and anal fins and the upper half of the adipose fin
orange, the pectoral and caudal fins bright red; the ixis violet.
The largest specimen in the British Museum measures 570 millimetres. But the
species grows to an even greater size, 800 millimetres being the length of a specimen
observed by Mr. Loat at Fashoda.
This species was first described from a quite young specimen obtained by Riippell
near Cairo early in the last century, but its occurrence in the Lower Nile must be very
exceptional. As observed by Giinther, such a specimen may have been carried down,
accidentally, towards the mouth of the river. One young specimen was obtained by
Mr. Loat between Luxor and Assuan. The real home of the fish is in the White Nile,
the Blue Nile, and the Bahr-el-Gebel; also the Webi Shebeli, Tana and Ganana Rivers
in East Africa, Lake Chad, the Senegal, and the Niger. In the Senegal it is quite
common in brackish water at the.mouth of the river.
List of specimens examined :—
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861.
Omdurman.—Loat, 13.5.01.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile-—Loat, 5-8.10.01.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Mangara, White Nile——Loat, 2.1.01.
Kawa, White Nile.—Loat, 5.1.01.
Nur-ed-Dain, White Nile.—Loat, 6.1.01.
Goz abu Gumah, White Nile-—Loat, 7.1-1.5.01.
Jebelain, White Nile.—Loat, 9.1.01.
Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile.—Loat, 17.1.01.
Fashoda, in a kore.—Loat, 14~31.3.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 17.2-4.3.02.
Ngatana, Tana River.—Dr. J. W. Gregory, 1893.
(Head only.) Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Niger.—Dalton, 1863.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
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CLAROTES. : 5343
4 Mureji, N. Nigeria.—Budgett, 1903. i
1 Oguta, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
2 Abo, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
This fine series conclusively proves the correctness of Dr. Ginther’s view as regards
the changes that take place with age and the identity of Kner’s Clarotes heugqlini with
Ruppell’s Pimelodus laticeps. It also shows the identity of the Senegalese Bagrus
nigrita, which had been erroneously referred to the synonymy of Chrysichthys cranchii
by Gunther and by Steindachner, with the Nile species.
Clarotes heuglini was founded on an abnormal specimen with the snout bent down at
an angle to the top of head; a somewhat similar malformation in Clarias lazera has
been noticed above (p. 291, fig. 26), and I have observed others in Bagrus docmac and
in Synodontis schall. This abnormal specimen has a curious history: it was found in
damp sand a few miles from Khartum and brought to the Austrian Consul von Heuglin
alive, and is said to have lived in his garden for three days out of the water and exposed
to the sun. There is no doubt much exaggeration in this statement, however great
the vitality of Cat-fishes as a rule, for an investigation of the anatomical structure of
Clarotes* has revealed no adaptation to terrestrial life, such as is known in Clarias
and Saccobranchus.
The food consists of fishes, crustaceans, and molluscs. The stomach of a small
specimen from Omdurman was full of bivalves, which have been determined by
Mr. KE. A. Smith as Unio egyptiacus, Caill., Unio sp., Corbicula radiata, Parreyss,
and Cleopatra bulimoides, Oliv. |
As for Chrysichthys auratus, the native name at Khartum is “ Adu Mesaeka.”
According to Mr. Loat, it is also called “barm’saker” or “barmesaker ” ( hus L) at
Omdurman.
* Hyril, 1, e:
d44 SILURID.
10. AUCHENOGLANIS.
Auchenaspis (non Egerton), Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 101 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish.
v. p. 137 (1864).
Auchenoglanis, Giinther, Zool. Rec. i. p. 165 (1865) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 294 (1901).
Oxyglanis, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xix. 1898, p. 249.
Body moderately elongate, feebly compressed. Dorsal and anal fins short, the former
composed of a spine and 7 or 8 soft rays, and followed by a very long adipose fin.
Pectoral fins with a spine. Ventral fin with 6 rays, inserted behind the vertical of the
dorsal fin. Three pairs of barbels: maxillary and two mandibulars. Nostrils widely
separated from each other, the anterior on the upper lip, the posterior slit-like. Eye
supero-lateral, with free border. Jaws with villiform teeth, which may be reduced to
small groups; palate toothless. Gill-membranes free, feebly notched. Air-bladder
large, free.
The premaxillaries are small, and the maxillaries, hidden in the lip, are com-
paratively large and really border the mouth. 44 vertebrae (18-+26) in A. discutatus,
48 (21427) in A. occidentalis. 9 branchiostegal rays. The intestinal canal is much
elongate and forms numerous convolutions.
In addition to the two closely allied species here described, this genus is represented
by four species of smaller size, inhabitants of Cameroon and the Congo Basin *.
1. AUCHENOGLANIS. BISCUTATUS.
(Plate LXIT.)
Pimelodus liscutatus, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 301, pl. xiv. fig. 1 (1827); Cuvier &
Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 197 (1840).
Doug Majeq, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exciii. no. 35 (1830).
Auchenaspis biscutatus, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 101.
Auchenaspis biscutatus, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 187 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 232
(1869).
Auchenoglanis biscutatus, part., Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 296 (1901).
Auchenoglanis biscutatus, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 263.
Depth of body three and a half to five times in the total length, length of head twice
and two-thirds to three and one-fourth times. Head moderately depressed, once and
two-fifths to once and two-thirds as long as broad, its upper surface and the operculum
rough with granular asperities and covered with a very thin skin; occipital process
* Of. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Congo, Zool. ii. 1902, p. 40. The species described as A. pulcher, Blgr., has
since been referred to the synonymy of A. ballayi, Sauv.
345
AUCHENOGLANIS.
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346 SILURIDE.
rounded, as long as broad or broader than long, in contact with or narrowly separated
from a large, granulate interneural shield ; snout pointed, measuring half, or slightly
more than half, the length of the head (measured to the base of the occipital process) ;
eye supero-lateral, its diameter twice and a half (young) to four and a half times in the
length of the snout, five (young) to eight and a half times in the length of the head,
once and two-thirds (young) to three times in the interorbital width; mouth small,
nearly terminal, with thick papillose lips; preemaxillary teeth in two small, oval or
pyzitform longitudinal groups, close together. Maxillary barbel five-ninths to four-
fifths the length of the head, reaching more or less behind the posterior border of the
eye; outer mandibular barbel as long as or a little longer than the maxillary, more
than twice as long as the inner mandibular, which is inserted on the lower lip. Gill-
rakers rather long and widely set, 9 to 11 on lower part of anterior arch. Humeral
process small, acutely pointed, granulate. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays; spine strong, with
granular asperities in front, half to three-fifths the length of the head. Adipose dorsal
fin twice and a half to three times as long as deep, twice to twice and one-third as long
as the rayed dorsal, from which it is separated by a space equal to one-fifth to one-
third of its own length, extending nearly to the root of the caudal fin. Anal fin with
10 to 12 rays, 6 or 7 of which are branched. Pectoral fin reaching or nearly reaching
the ventral, the spine very strong, granulate on the outer side, with 10 (young) to
20 strong serree on the inner side. Ventral fin equally distant from the anterior or
the posterior border of the eye and from the root of the caudal fin, reaching, or nearly
reaching, the anal fin. Caudal fin rounded, obliquely truncate, or feebly emarginate.
Brown, olive, or dark green, uniform or with small round blackish spots, which may
be numerous or few and scattered, or confined to the fins; the spots smallest, and
often mere dots, on the rayed fins; the spots on the body large in the very young.
Lower parts white. Mr. Loat notes that the barbels and mouth are orange, the iris
dark brown, with a light bronze ring surrounding the pupil.
Total length 250 millimetres. : |
This species was founded on a specimen from the Lower Nile, where the fish
must be very rare, since Mr. Loat did not succeed in observing any examples; the
specimen figured by Rifaud was obtained in Upper Egypt. The fish was found by
Mr. Loat in the White Nile and in the Bahr-el-Gebel, and by the late Mr. Budgett in
the Niger.
I have examined the following specimens :—
2 Goz abu Gumah, White Nile.—Loat, 7.1.01.
49 Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1-23.3.01.
1 Tonga.—Loat, 24.1.01.
1 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 1.2.01.
30 Gondokoro.—Loat, 15.1-19.3.02.
1 Mureji, N. Nigeria.—Budgett, 1903.
AUCHENOGLANIS. 347
Like the Synodontis this species makes a creaking noise with its pectoral fins when
taken out of the water. It feeds on fishes and crustaceans, probably also on vegetable
matter, as the great length of the digestive tract indicates.
The native name in Lower Egypt, according to Geoffroy, is Harafchi or Schal-
Karafché; in Upper Egypt, Duk Majek or Zamar, according to Rifaud.
2, AUCHENOGLANIS OCCIDENTALIS.
(Plate LXIIL.)
Prmelodus occidentalis, Cavier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 203 (1840).
Auchenaspis biscutatus, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 1387 (1864).
Auchenaspis biscutatus, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ix. i. 1870, p. 993, pl. vi. figs. 3 & 4.
Kilnoki, Schweinfurth, Herz. Afr. i. p. 252, fig. (1874).
Oayglanis sacchi, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xix. 1898, p. 250.
Auchenoglanis biscutatus, part., Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 296 (1901).
Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 200.
Auchenoglanis occidentalis, var. tanganicanus, Boulenger, Tr. Zool. Soc. xvii. 1906, p. 553, pl. xxxiil.
Very nearly allied to the preceding, but distinguished by the longer and more
pointed snout, which measures usually more than half the length of the head, and
three (young) to eight times the diameter of the eye; maxillary barbel always shorter
than the outer mandibular, one-third to a little over one-half the leneth of the head,
not extending beyond the posterior border of the eye. Adipose fin often ee behind
than in A. discutatus and its outline ascending more gradually.
Some specimens are uniform olive or brown, whilst others are spotted with dark
brown or blackish; these spots, when present, larger than in A. biscutatus, often very
large on the dorsal and caudal fins, where they are separated by a narrow network
of the pale ground-colour.
This species grows to a larger size than its Nilotie congener, reaching a length of
one metre.
It has also a much wider distribution and appears to be the commoner of the two
species in the Nile. It was the only one represented in the British Museum until
specimens of the true A. biscutatus were sent by Mr. Loat. It is now known from the
Lower Nile (Luxor), the Upper Nile, the White and Blue Niles, the Bahr-el-Gebel,
Lake Rudolf (Oazyglanis sacchit, Vincig.), Lake Chad, the Senegal, the Niger, and the
Congo system, including Lakes Bangwelu and Mweru. The Tanganyika specimens
may be regarded as of a distinct variety, which I have described as var. tanganicanus ;
the adipose fin is usually lower, the interorbital region narrower, and the outer
mandibular barbel is not or but slightly longer than the maxillary, which reaches the
posterior border of the eye.
2Y 2
348 SILURIDZ.
List of specimens examined :-—
At a regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 27.10.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Kosheh, in pool left by receding Nile.—Loat, 13.3.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1863.
Omdurman.—Loat, 21.5.01.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 13-14.10.01.
Goz abu Gumah.—Loat, 7.1.01.
Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 6.4.01.
Fashoda.—-Loat, 16.3.01.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 1.3.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 17.1—-11.3.02.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Senegal.—Old Collection.
McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1899.
Mureji, N. Nigeria. —Budgett, 1903.
Oguta, 8. Nigeria —Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Abo, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Agberi, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Niger—. Dalton, 1863.
Boma, Congo.—Capt. Wilverth, 1896 (Congo Museum).
Near Leopoldville, Congo.—Drs. Dutton, Christy, and Todd, 1903.
Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1900-01.
Bikoro, Lake Tumba, Congo.—Delhez, 1898.
Lake Mweru.—Sir A. Sharpe, 1900.
Lake Bangwelu.—Melland, 1905.
Kinyamkolo, Lake Tanganyika.—Moore, 1896.
Middle of Lake Tanganyika, in deep water.—-Moore, 1899.
Kalombo, Lake Tanganyika.—Moore, 1899.
Mtondwe Bay, Lake Tanganyika.—Dr. Cunnington, 1904.
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I have also been favoured with the loan of the type of Vinciguerra’s Oxyglanis sacchit,
a skin preserved in the Genoa Civic Museum.
The following native names have been noted by Mr. Loat:—‘ Ullum tour” (45 aI);
at Kosheh ; “ zar’marr”’ ( seyj)s at Omdurman ; “ homar-el-hut” (Wo ys ye), on the
Blue Nile.
3
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SILURIDA,
11. SYNODONTIS.
Cuvier, Réegne Anim. ii. p. 203 (1817) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 210 (1864) ; Vaillant, N. Arch.
Mus. (3) vii. 1895, p. 233, and viii. 1896, p. 87; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 301
(901).
Brachysynodontis, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. viii. 1863, p. 54.
Pseudosynodontis, Bleeker, t. c. p. 55.
Hemisynodontis, Bleeker, |. ¢.
Leiosynodontis, Bleeker, |. c.
Body short or moderately elongate, more or less compressed. Dorsal fin short,
formed of a strong spine and 6 or 7 branched rays; an adipose dorsal fin. Anal fin
short. Pectoral fin with a strong spine. Ventral fin with 7 rays, inserted behind
the vertical of the dorsal. A cephalo-nuchal bony shield, united to the clavicular
bones. ‘Three pairs of barbels: maxillary and two mandibulars, the latter branched
or fringed. Nostrils widely separated from each other, the anterior tubular. Eye
lateral or supero-lateral, with free border. Mouth with more or less developed lips ;
a band or series of conical preemaxillary teeth ; movable, slender, more or less curved
teeth implanted in the lower lip, usually followed by small teeth on the lower jaw;
palate toothless. Gill-membranes confluent with the skin of the isthmus. -Air-bladder
large, free.
‘This genus, represented by fifty-two species, is confined to azopieal Africa and the
Nile. Thirteen species are known from the Nile system.
The bony casque is formed by the union of the skull with the nuchal shield
produced by an expansion of the anterior interneural bones, and with the clavicular
bones, the clavicle forming what is called the humeral process. The 6 or 7 anterior
vertebrae are coalesced. The vertebrae number 36 to 44. I have counted the following
numbers in the skeletons of Nile species examined :—
SS, ethane. ERPS Dice BE eee aes ee Bo te eet og ee a ei)
Si PGR O8ie ORS FS pe ger eevee aed bes ae eal, > SOA een)
Se UM cde Nin So Eig Sanh ge ee So are. . eO
EGR eaieae ima oe. ceee gate ae Nee a ee A
ubteciemias =o. SE Ri Be ee et a ees ed eee = el
Peles Pe eee SS eS SS Ra ees
| SiG RIOTANOCEUS. . san? Bs Sh ee SE MS I ee
The branchiostegal rays are 7 in number.
The elongate intestinal canal with numerous convolutions and the feeble dentition
Or
—
SYNODONTIS. Es
indicate a regime of vegetable substances and small animals, and there is no doubt
these fishes show a predilection for decomposing organisms; they are said to feed
chiefly on seeds, but both Mr. Loat and myself have often found fishes of ‘tolerably
large size in the stomach, so that they may safely be described as omnivorous. All
the species emit sounds, produced by the action of the muscles surrounding the air-
bladder, which is compressed by a curious spring-apparatus described by Johannes
Miiller *, and by the creaking of the dorsal and pectoral spines.
The flesh of these fishes is very tasteless and is only eaten by the poor.
Much information on the morphology of the Synodontis will be found in Vaillant’s
monograph of 1895-6, quoted above. So many new species have been discovered
since its publication, that the systematic part has already become antiquated.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Gill-openings not extending downwards beyond base of pectoral fin.
A. Movable mandibular teeth not more than half diameter of eye f, 23 or more in number ;
maxillary barbel not barbed ; eye supero-lateral.
1. Maxillary barbel not or but very feebly margined, the marginal membrane, if distinct,
much narrower than the barbel ; humeral process pointed.
a. Adipose dorsal fin twice and one-third to five times as long as its distance from the
rayed dorsal.
24 to 36 movable mandibular teeth ; interorbital width not half
length of head; skin villose on the sides of the body;
ventral and anal fins obtusely pointed . . . = Desetiae fey OO Ly cali
33 to 48 movable mandibular teeth ; interorbital width half length |
of head in adult; skin not villose; ventral and anal fins
ACUEAY POmmied: hy saoS es Ay a Eee ae Sa ue ve ee Os JFONLORUES, Vatu.
33 to 38 movable mandibular teeth ; ‘iuevorbind width not quite
half length of head ; skin not Haun : gi and anal fins |
rounded . 0. 5 + 408 foe ae ae eg a> B.S. comdouitiotus, Bler.
b. Adipose dorsal fin once and one-third to twice and one-third as long as its distance
from the rayed dorsal.
19 to 21 movable mandibular teeth ; skin not villose ; occipito-
nuchal shield once and one-fourth to once and one-third as
[omer as sbnGacke, Var tee Re tine oa a A. Dritlone, Blor,
45 to 54 movable mandibular teeth ; aa eases on ‘ie sides
of the body ; occipito-nuchal shield once and a half to once
and two-thirds as longas broad. . . . - 2. . . . 5. S. afro-fischeri, Hilg.
* Abh. Ak. Berl. 1843, p. 147, pl. iii. figs. 1-4.
t The length is that of the exposed part, without the basal part implanted in the lip.
2
Q1
| Se)
SILURIDZ.
2. Maxillary barbel broadly margined, the marginal membrane, at the base, at least nearly
as broad as the barbel.
a. Snout not longer than postocular part of head; spine of dorsal fin not distinctly
serrated in front.
30 to 35 movable mandibular teeth ; adipose dorsal fin not more
than twice as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal ;
humeral process pointed . .. . So ge Oe Be Nigra, Com VN
45 to 50 movable mandibular teeth ; minded devia fin six times
as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal fin, the anterior
rays of which are much produced ; humeral process obtuse-
HOMted yg eisynd awe =e : . 7. 8. ewpterus, Blgr.
20 movable mandibular ‘seth : he er fin ee tee as
long as its distance from the rayed dorsal fin, the spine of
which terminates in a very long filament; humeral process
POR ed eg: 4 ee ee Ge ek sb ge oe igmentosts, Digr,
b, Snout longer than the postocular part of the head ;
‘spine of dorsal fin serrated in front; 30 to 48
movable mandibular teeth. . . . +. + 5 « - 99. &. serratus, Riipp.
B. Movable mandibular teeth more than half diameter of eye, 6 to 8 in number.
Maxillary barbel with a broad marginal membrane; head more
than once and one-third as long as broad; humeral process
mOUNGOG. = Ve A eae , tO: Be serer, ott.
Maxillary barbel barbed or aie cee. hace Aa more iA once
and one-third as long as broad ; humeral process pointed. . 11. S. claras, L.
II. Gill-opening extending downwards beyond base of pectoral fin ; adipose dorsal fin touching
rayed dorsal fin.
Gill-openings widely separated; mandibular barbels barbed but
not margined ; 30 to 57 movable mandibular teeth. . . . 12. S. batensoda, Riipp
Gill-openings separated by a narrow isthmus; mandibular barbels
barbed at the base, with a membranous margin at the end ;
6 to 9 very minute mandibular teeth . . . . . «. . « 13. S. membranaceus, Geottr.
The doubtful species Synodontis humeratus, C. & V., is referred to on p. 368.
SYNODONTIS. 393
1. SYNODONTIS SCHALL.
(Plate LXIV.)
Schall, Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 278, pl. xxi. fig. 2 (1799).
Silurus schall, Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichth. p. 385 (1801).
Pimelodus clarias, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. pl. xiii. figs. 3 & 4 (1809).
Synodontis clarias, I. Geoffroy, op. cit. p. 316 (1827).
Synodontis maculosus, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 10, pl. iii. fig. 1 (1829).
Synodontis arabi, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 261 (1840).
Synodontis schall, Hyrtl, Denkschr. Ak. Wien, xvi. 1859, p. 16; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 212
(1864), and Petherick’s Trav. i. p. 235 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. 1. 1870,
p. 533; Vaillant, N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii. 1896, p.121, & vii. pl. x. fig.7; Giinther, Proc. Zool.
Soc. 1896, p. 221, fig. ; Pfeffer, Fische O.-Afr. p. 36 (1896) ; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova,
(2) xix. 1898, p. 246; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 566.
Hemisynodontis schall, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i, 1863, p. 55.
Leiosynodontis maculosus, Bleeker, |. c.
Synodontis smithit, Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 222, pl. ix.; Vinciguerra, 1. c.
Body moderately compressed, its depth three to four times in the total length, the
length of the head * three and one-fifth to four times. Head once and one-fifth to
once and two-thirds as long as broad, little broader than deep, rugose above, behind
the snout, which is rounded and as long as or shorter than the postocular part of
the head; frontal fontanelle rather large; eye supero-lateral, four and a half (young)
to eight times in the length of the head, once and three-fourths to three and one-
fourth times in the width of the interorbital region, which is convex ; occiput obtusely
tectiform. Mouth with moderately developed lips; preemaxillary teeth forming a
short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth not more than half the diameter of
the eye, 24 to 86 in number. Maxillary barbel with a narrow marginal membrane
at the base, four-fifths to once and two-thirds the length of the head, reaching between
the base and the posterior fifth of the pectoral spine; outer mandibular barbel inserted
a little further back than and about twice as long as the inner, the former with long,
slender branches, the latter with shorter branches with tubercular ramifications. Gill-
opening not extending downwards‘beyond the root of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal
shield rough lke the occiput, obtusely-tectiform, once and a half to twice as long as
broad, the posterior processes pointed or truncate. Humeral process much longer
than broad, very obtusely keeled, the keel sometimes very indistinct, sharply pointed,
usually extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal process. Skin more or less villose
on the sides, the villosities often accompanied by little wart-like tubercles forming
more or less regular transverse series. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays; the spine strong,
* Measured, in this genus, to the occipito-humeral sinus.
22
304 SILURIDZA.
straight or curved, feebly serrated behind, longitudinally striated and sharp-edged or
very finely granulate * in front, usually three-fourths to once the length of the head,
sometimes a little longer}, the soft terminal part usually produced into a short
filament. Adipose dorsal fin three to four and a half times as long as deep, twice and
one-third to four and a half times as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal
fin obtusely pointed in front, with 12 to 14 rays, 8 or 9 of which are branched.
Pectoral spine as long as or a little longer or a little shorter than that of the dorsal,
rarely reaching the root of the ventral fin, its outer border very finely, its inner border
strongly serrated (serre 6 in the young to 32 in the adult). Ventral fin usually not
reaching the anal. Caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe longer than the lower,
sometimes prolonged into a filament. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or deeper
than long. |
Very. young specimens, such as the one for which the name 8. maculosus was
proposed by Ruppell, are handsomely marbled and spotted, wavy and oblique bands
of cream-colour or yellowish orange separating brown or greenish areas which bear
numerous round blackish-brown spots; two or three more or less regular yellowish
streaks along the snout; fins with dark brown spots; a more or less regular dark
brown band on each lobe of the caudal fin; barbels white or pinkish. These markings
gradually disappear with age, and are usually replaced, in specimens of 100 to 200
millim., by very numerous minute dark dots on the upper parts and on the adipose
dorsal fin. Adults are uniform grey, bluish, brown, or olive above and white beneath,
the paired fins and the anal sometimes blackish. Some half-grown specimens are of a
dull uniform yellowish-crange colour.
Albinism, partial or complete, appears to be comparatively frequent in this species.
Colourless, flesh-coloured specimens were found at Cairo and at Wady Halfa by
Mr. Loat, but the albinism did not affect the eye, the pupil of which was black.
Albinos, of different degrees, were observed by Capt. Flower at Giza. Some, after
having been kept in an aquarium, have gradually turned dark, or have become piebald,
some being pinky white on the body, with the bead and the fins of a rich black, while
others have become dark all over. <A piebald specimen, it must be observed, was at
first a perfect albino, with pink pupil (a rare occurrence in fishes), but the eyes in the
course of time have turned from pink to black f. |
A piebald specimen of large size, from the Baro River, is in Mr. Zaphiro’s collection.
The Schall is not known to exceed a length of 410 millimetres.
Synodontis schali has a wide distribution, being known from the whole Nile, Lakes
Abaia, Stephanie, and Rudolf, Lake Chad, and the Senegal. The Senegalese specimens
* This granulation sometimes approaching to a serration.
t+ See Nos. 8 and 10 of table of measurements.
¢ Cf. 8. Flower, 7th Ann. Rep. Zool. Gard. Giza (Cairo, 1906), p. 31.
ir)
SYNODONTIS.
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306 SILURIDZ.
have, as a rule, a somewhat shorter body, a deeper adipose dorsal fin, and a broader
humeral process, as compared with the typical form from the Lower Nile; but these
differences are bridged over by the specimens from the White Nile, and I therefore
agree with Steindachner and with Vaillant in uniting them all under the same specific
name.
The Senegalese specimens approach very closely the S. gambiensis, Gthr., separated
by the absence of the villosities on the body. Among the species with villose sides,
S. depauwi, Blgr., from the Congo, is distinguished by having the snout much longer
than the postocular part of the head, and S. geledensis, Gthr., from the Webi Shebeli,
has an anteriorly serrated dorsal spine and a broadly fringed maxillary barbel, characters
in which it agrees with S. serratus, Riipp.
The Congo (Mobaka) specimens recorded by Vaillant have been referred by me * to
S. greshoffi, Schilth., and S. alberti, Schilth. The young specimens from the Rovuma
River (Livingstone’s collection), mentioned in the British Museum Catalogue, probably
belong to S. nebulosus, Peters. And, finally, 1 may add that the record of this fish
at the Cape of Good Hope (Van Horstock, Leyden Museum) is altogether incredible,
and as the determination has been verified as correct by Prof. Vaillant +, an error must
have taken place in the labelling of the specimen.
List of specimens examined :—
2 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
8 Near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh, in freshwater pool.—Loat, 4-11.6.99.
Near San, in freshwater canal._—Loat, 27.6.99.
22 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12-22.7.99.
Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 28-31.7.99.
2 Cairo.—Riippell, 1828-1834.
4 Cairo.—Riippell, 1828-1834. (Types of S. maculosus.)
8 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 10-19.3.99, 24.6.00, 1.7.00.
6 Nile near Cairo, upstream side of barrage.—Loat, 4.8.99.
2 Nile near Cairo, bought in Old Cairo Fish Bazar.—Loat, 4.4.99.
40 Near Cairo, in a canal by side of road leading to Pyramids of Giza.—Loat, 7.3.99.
1 Near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 10.6.06.
In a canal in Zoological Gardens, Giza.—Loat, 21.3.99.
3 Giza.—Capt. Flower, 1899, 1904.
48 Beni Souef.—Loat, 12—28.8.99.
Sanhur.—Loat, 5.10.99.
1 Birket Karun, Fayum.—Loat, 30.9.99.
5 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
* Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 317.
T N. Arch. Mus. (8) viii. 1896, p. 97.
NS a ee NO
Do Re rR Ot HD Ot Ee
eS SC a Sd SD OS oo oe
SYNODONTIS. SOL.
Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
Akhmim.—Loat, 13.12.99.
Luxor.—Y. Burges, 1899.
At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
Mouth of canal joining Nile at Luxor.—Loat, 11.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Near Assuan.—Loat, 30.12.99-4.1.00, 1-12.9.00.
Abu Hor,——Loat, 18.1.00.
Mirrwan.—Loat, 19.1.00.
El Maharraka.—Loat, 24.1.00.
Anebi.—Loat, 7.2.00.
Abaad.—Loat, 8.2.00.
Abu Simbel.—Loat, 14.2.00.
Wady Halfa.—Loat, 21—23.2.00.
Kosheh.—Loat, 8-17.3.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 8.10.01.
Nur-ed-Daim, White Nile——Loat, 6.1.01.
Kaka.—Loat, 15.1.01.
Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 17.1.01.
Fashoda, in a kore.—Loat, 14.3.01.
Between Khartum and the Sobat.—Zaphiro, 1904.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 1904.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 1-15.2.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 19.1.02.
Sagan R. (lL. Rudolf), 2800 feet—Zaphiro, 22.8.05.
Lake Gandjule (Margherita), 3000 feet.—Zaphiro, 8.9.05.
Lake Stephanie.—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1895.
Lake Stephanie (?).—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1895. (Type of S. smithii.)
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Old Collection.
Senegal.
Mr. Loat observes that this fish is very common in most parts of the Nile, and
generally caught in the vicinity of the towns, as it will eat filth of any kind. It is
easily caught with rod and line, a small piece of paste being used as bait. When
picked up it often makes a peculiar creaking noise, produced by quickly moving the
pectoral fins backwards and forwards; the noise is very noticeable when the fish has
been hooked. Capt. Flower feeds them, in the Gezira Aquarium, on bread and meat,
and he says the spines with which the dorsal and pectoral fins are armed give many bad
wounds to men working in the water with bare feet and hands.
More or less recognizable representations of the common Schall occur in the mural
308 SILURID &.
paintings of the ancient Egyptians, as, for instance, at Giza and Sapara * and at Deir-el-
Gebrawi 7.
An example of 8. aes was found paid 3 in the animal cemetery of Medinet Gurob
by Mr. Loat in 1903
Native names as a by Mr. Loat:—* Shal” (J\%), at Cairo, Barrage N. of Cairo,
Beni Souef, Lake Borollos, Kafr-el-Zayat, Lake Edkou, Lake Menzaleh, Fayum, Assiut;
“ shal beladie” (a0 J\%), which means “ common Shal,” is sometimes applied to this
species at Beni Souef and Kafr-el-Zayat, to distinguish it from another kind of Shal
(“shal aboo reata”); ‘“ zazoo” (4;\;), applied at Samannud and some other localities to
small specimens of Shal; “gorgar” at Assiut, Sohag, Akhmim; “gorgar zumar” or
“zumar” ( jlné 38), at Girga, Nag "Hamadeh; “gargour” ( yy) is the common name
at Assuan and in Nubia from Shellal to Wady Halfa for this species, but many fisher-
men distinguish two kinds, as noted under NS. serratus (generally speaking, the word
‘“gorgar” is used from Assiut to Luxor for this species, and the word “ shal” from
Assiut northwards) ; “ gargour abu soomah”’ or “ abu soomah”? (&e gy» pl y988), at Assuan
(the words “abu soomah” are generally pronounced like one word, thus “ abus’mah ie
“gargour fa'shagar” (_ janis ,,3,8), this name is used in Nubia sometimes in referring
o “gargour gowagie” (S. serratus) (“ fashagar” is a Berberine word) §; “ gargour
turque” (83 )588) is used at Wady Halfa, and refers to white examples, which are
occasionally found. The Common Shal is called “ gargour beladie” or “ gargour abu
samh” (abu sumah) at Omdurman.
2, SYNODONTIS FRONTOSUS.
(Plate LXV.)
Vaillant, C. R. Soc. Philom. 1895, p. 48, and N. Arch. Mus. (3) vii. ph x. fig. 8, & viii. 1896, p. 147 ;
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 566.
Synodontis citernu, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xix. 1898, p. 247.
Body feebly compressed, its depth three to three and two-thirds times in the total
length, the length of the head three to three and a half times. Head once and one-
fourth to once and a half as long as broad, as deep as broad, rugose above, the
rugosities extending more or less on the snout, which is rounded and as Jong as the
* Cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pls. ix. & xlvi.
y+ Of. Archeol. Surv. Egypt, xi. & xii. 1902.
+ Cf. Loat, Gurob, Egyptian Research Account, x. 1904, p. 5.
§ The termination “-gar” or “ -car” is the Nubian form of plural, and in speaking of fish this termination
is nearly always added.
SYNODONTIS. 899
postocular part of the head; frontal fontanelle rather large; eye supero-lateral, its
diameter four (young) to six times in the length of the head, and once and two-thirds
to three times in the width of the interorbital region, which is feebly convex ; occiput
simply convex. Mouth with moderately developed lips; preemaxillary teeth forming a
short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth not more than half the diameter of
the eye, 33 to 48 in number. Maxillary barbel with a rather narrow but very distinct
marginal membrane in its proximal fourth, once and one-fifth to once and three-fourths
the length of the head, reaching the middle or the end of the pectoral spine; outer
mandibular barbel inserted a little farther back than and one-half or not quite
one-half the length of the inner, the former with long, slender branches, the latter with
Measurements (in millimetres).
| | Le 2. 3 4 5 6. 7 8 9
‘Total length: Cwithoni caudal seus ee rece owe oe ees 290 250 |235 |200 |185 |175 |140 100 | 77
Grentesh depths... 2S 0 sre ee eee go | s1| 70! 64/51/54) 50 | 97 | 25
beneth ofnead: is 2G at oe ee eee eee ee 84 | 74 | 70 | 60 | 55 | 53 | 47 | 30 | 25
ROW ICERSOL BORE Ocker Sites sale oy ple eee eee a ee | 65 | 57 | 55 | 45 | 45 | 39 | 88 | 24 | 20
t Reneth Of snemls 15 Simees oy cee as re eae eee 86 |S | 807 26 242922) | 20-1134. 10
Dintictet 08 69 Glin eis. Bese ees Sheet ee ee | PAS ee 12 a eae
| Trterovbita widths ios es cae Coe ee ees ee | 42 | 38 | 34 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 13) 11
Width oF mean: 22S scc hee “ep ee ee ees | 28 99 ZI Pes) 1a | oA ees
| Maxillary barbel 1... 6.6.6... cee eee eee er eens 106 92 | 90 | 94 | 73 | 67 | 71 | 46 | 30
| Outer mandipulat panier ng eS ken Oe es 63 | 60 | 49 | 57 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 25 | 22
| Inner mandibular barbel ..;.,..<c++-+eeseecuveecsess | 28 | 28 | 20 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 10
| Length of-dorsal apnie Si--a cokers ees aie eee | 63 | 61 | 65 | 54 | 56 | 50 | 47 | 29 | 24
| Basal leneth of dire Gite cin cerS ens oe See | £3 GAS 85 80 1 27 1 Oh oe | 44] 1S
| ~ Ee StiOR ONIN =. eae ener ma ec mars gts 3 | 00 2764 Yo. |} fp. be bo 504: S4 |225 |
Ldareatest depth ot-sdiviese Nit cine 2 agate tee aes a ee | 20°28) 19 | 16-518 |} 16-) 20 | 10) 6
| Leugth of pectoral spiie- 36 beg eee ee ee | 64 | 60 | 61 | 48.) 50 | 47 | 45 | 27 | 21
1,2. Lake No.—Loat. 6. Gondokoro.—Loat.
3. Bahr Zeraf.—F lower. 8. ashoda.—Loat.
4,7. Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat. 9. Between Khartum and Sobat.—Zaphiro.
5. L. Rudolf.—Zaphiro.
360 SILURIDZA.
tubercular ramifications. Occipito-nuchal shield rough like the ccciput, obtusely
tectiform, once and one-third to once and a half as long as broad, with pointed or
truncated posterior processes. Humeral process a little longer than broad, flat or with
a very obtuse keel, sharply pointed, usually not extending as far as the occipito-nuchal
process, Skin smooth, without villosities. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays, the spine strong,
feebly curved, three-fourths to once the length of the head, rather strongly serrated
behind, smooth in front, the soft terminal part produced intoa short filament. Adipose
dorsal fin twice and a half to four times as long as deep, three to four and a half times
as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin acutely pointed in front, the
first branched ray usually produced into a filament; 12 or 13 rays, 8 or 9 of which are
branched. Pectoral spine as long as or a little shorter than the spine of the dorsal, not
reaching the root of the ventral fin, its outer border distinctly serrated in the young,
smooth or very feebly serrated in the adult, its inner edge with 9 (young) to 21 strong
serre. Ventral fin acutely pointed and often produced into a short filament, reaching
the origin of the anal fin or beyond. Caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe longer
than the lower. Caudal peduncle deeper than long.
Grey-brown to blackish above and below, the lips white ; young with the body and
the dorsal fins spotted with black, and with some whitish markings at the base of the
caudal fin; in older specimens the spots are replaced by a multitude of minute
dots, which may persist in the adult; iris brown, or silvery below the pupil and
brownish above.
Total length 320 millim.
Originally described from a specimen from the White Nile, received by the Paris
Museum from M. d’Arnaud (Arnaud Bey) in 1843, this species has since been found at
various points on the White Nile, the Bahr-el-Gebel, the Victoria Nile, the Omo River,
and Lake Rudolf.
The above description is drawn up from twenty-six specimens from the following
localities :—
bo
Goz abu Gumab.—Loat, 7.1.01.
Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 16.1.01.
Fashoda.—-Loat, 18-19.1.01.
Between Khartum and the Sobat.—Zaphiro, 1904.
Bahr Zeraf.—Capt. Flower, 1.3.00.
Mouth of L. No.—Loat, 1-8.10.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 21.1-16.2.02.
Fajao, Victoria Nile.—Budgett, 25.8.02.
Omo River.—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1900.
Lake Rudolf at Galeba, 1800 feet.—Zaphiro, 7.8.09.
St Re Ce Se ee ee BS
In comparing the description here given with that.published by Prof. Vaillant, it
SYNODONTIS. 361
must be borne in mind that his stuffed specimen is not in a quite satisfactory condition.
The most serious discrepancy lies in the size of the eye, which is stated to measure
18 millim. in diameter, the fish measuring 290; but this is contradicted by the figure
accompanying the description; probably “ diamétre de Vorbite ” should stand instead
of “ diameétre de l’ceil.”
3. SYNODONTIS CAUDOVITTATUS.
(Plate LXVI.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 10.
Body moderately compressed, its depth three to three and a half times in the total
length, the length of the head three and one-third to three and two-thirds times. Head
a little longer than broad, as deep as broad, rugose, granulate above from between the
eyes; frontal fontanelle rather narrow; snout rounded, as long as or slightly longer
than the postocular part of the head; eye supero-lateral, its diameter four and one-
third to five times in the length of the head, twice to twice and a half in the width
of the interorbital region, which is slightly convex; occiput simply convex. Lips
moderately developed; pramaxillary teeth forming a short broad band; movable
mandibular teeth not half the diameter of the eye, 33 to 38 in number. Maxillary
barbel without or with a mere rudiment of a marginal membrane, once and one-fifth
to once and a half as long as the head, reaching the middle or the posterior fourth of
the pectoral spine; outer mandibular barbel inserted a little further back than and
twice or a little more than twice as long as the inner, the former with long slender
branches, the latter with tubercular ramifications. Occipito-nuchal shield granulate
like the occiput, obtusely tectiform, with pointed or truncated posterior processes.
Humeral process flat, granulate, a little longer than broad, sharply pointed, extending
as far back as the occipito-nuchal process, or not quite so far. Skin smooth, without
villosities. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays, the spine strong, feebly curved, as long as or a
little shorter than the head, smooth or very finely serrated in front, feebly serrated
behind, with short or rather long filamentous prolongation. Adipose fin three to
four times as long as deep, three aiid a half to five times as long as its distance from
the rayed dorsal. Anal fin rounded, with 12 rays, 8 of which are branched. Pectoral
spine as long as or a little shorter than the head, feebly but distinctly serrated on the
outer edge, very strongly (15 to 24 serre) on the inner edge, reaching or nearly
reaching the ventral fin. Latter rounded, extending to or slightly beyond the origin
of the anal. Caudal fin deeply forked, upper lobe the longer. Caudal peduncle
deeper than long.
Grey, tinged with olive on the head and back; fins dark, except the spines and
SA
362 SILURIDZA.
their filaments, which are whitish; caudal fin greyish white, with a deep black band
along each lobe; barbels white; iris bronzy.
Total length 240 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
it ys 3. 4
Hora leneth Cwiriuout caudal) ps: es as voudee, ee ot 220 185 170 137
Greatest depin..s(.c. ce are ee emer s oben aes ae ee 65 62 56 41
isi ir Gt Weal a bial kas Saas oer eee ee 62 5d 51 39g
VieION Nea 3 6.8 4c eet ugees cages bie saps eas 51 46 Al 31
Loriepirtel: SiO 4404 Galck See A i es la ae 28 23 20 17
DEAE UOT GOL Oe) “My a tilmhs S- dipecd «ania cata geedasre-t ack 12 11 10 9
HaveePOr are wWACEE LD co ate Miceetgeies ty eee ae ee 29 25 22 18
W tel Ch Oba Oui is Vadis oo, steers San. -s eebaceets paloaes 18 15 14 13
Beye Ved Nhs eer ah ay see cS, arty rey ave 80 68 65 59
Owptormamdibtlar Darel © sas xs ei acne gp es se 45 45 42 39
ation wicca bOlaraT pels 2250) cai de tajss avis Sued wees 21 18 21 Ly
Length ol doteal pie 45.0. os. Droste. eannts 65 47 — 44 37
Hash Llenocn Ok COvSLV IMT Ahn en seceeni sb spe age surah 33 29 27 20
is Sepa s OS. MNO esis 2 Yas A sees Syd ae 80 70 62 Ay
Gieatest-depth of adipose fill. . sacs). ial gs. Vise 20 22 20 14
emetadr pocteralepiie ari ess oes 62 47 43 38
Ty: Kawa. | 2, de Mouth of LL: Nos | 4, Nur ed Daim.
This species is known only from the White Nile, where it was discovered by
Mr. Loat. Three specimens were obtained at the mouth of Lake No (30.1—1-3.2.01),
two at Kawa (5.1.01), and one at Nur ed Daim (6.1.01). According to Mr. Loat it
occurs also at Omdurman, where it is called “ Gargom trakey” or “ Trakey ” (L815 984).
SYNODONTIS. 363
4, SYNODONTIS VICTORIA.
(Plate LX VII. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 438.
Body moderately compressed, its depth four to four and a half times in the total
length, the length of the head three and a half to four times. Head once and one-
third as long as broad, as deep as broad, granulate above, the snout smooth; frontal
fontanelle narrow; snout rounded, as long as the postocular part of the head; eye
supero-lateral, its diameter five and one-third to six times in the length of the head,
twice and one-third to twice and a half in the width of the interorbital region, which
is slightly convex ; occipital region convex. Lips moderately developed; praemaxillary
teeth forming a short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth one-third the
diameter of the eye, 19 to 21 in number. Maxillary barbel with a narrow marginal
membrane at the base, nearly as long as the head, extending to the base of the
pectoral spine; mandibular barbel with slender simple branches, the outer inserted a
little further back than and nearly twice as long as the inner. Giull-opening not
extending below the base of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal shield simply convex,
rugose and pitted, once and one-fourth to once and one-third as long as broad, ending
in two blunt points. Humeral process covered with granular asperities, once and a
half as long as broad, acutely pointed, not extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal
Measurements (in millimetres).
Bs 2.
Fotal length (without-caudal)—..feina os cee eo 192
CECH ROSL CODD ue foci yl be ae a ee cee 56 43
bene of ida. eC *. Tee ae a eee ee ae 65 48
Widtheok liga: 276100 44 Oe er AT 36
benoth ef anoit brit SEs Gyr etd hee ee cts at 20
Diameter oheyens). aii 20 350 BUS ies 11 9
bapePOrii wd blip 24 seie-s 4 vies bea x pone teeta ce ee sa rAd
Witdiils, eb sarong eo ga 0 i pe oe ig ne pe a a 16 Be
Whasct la pare ak oe Gee ad es eA page at a 64 AQ
Onter Wienith miat patel ees. we axe ree eee Da 29
PMOL TCD thie et DOL a4 a4 ia GN eg! kG reay pea 16) 15
Doempintd: dereeire ee oe rte a ee Pe as ? 38
Basaleneth of dérsaiena + rinse gt Sere ee 30 26
Fe Soha pase ain sae SA ae MES: tT ag 64 46
Greatest depth of adipose fin . . . . . 6 « « 16 9
lyengih o§ pectoral: spine ss fatbaviioweese) > ? 43
1. Buganga. 2. Entebbe.
ob4 SILURIDZA.
process. Skin smooth, without villosities. Dorsal fin with I 6 or 7 rays; spine
strong, straight, three-fourths the length of the head, smooth in front, with 8 small
serre behind. Adipose dorsal fin four or five times as long as deep, once and two-
thirds to twice its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin with 12 rays, 8 of which are
branched. Pectoral spine a little shorter than the head, not reaching the ventral fin,
feebly serrated on the outer side, with 20 strong serree on the inner side. Ventral fin
rounded, not reaching the anal. Caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe the longer.
Caudal peduncle as long as deep or slightly longer.
Brown above, white beneath, the brown parts with rather large round darker spots,
which may be very indistinct ; iris pure white.
Total length 250 millimetres.
Discovered in Lake Victoria by Mr. E. Degen. One specimen is from Entebbe
(1.10.05), the other from Buganga (15.11.05).
5. SYNODONTIS AFRO-FISCHERI.
(Plate LX VII. fig. 2.)
Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 77; Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 37 (1896) ;
Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, 11. p. 161.
Body moderately compressed, its depth three and a half to four and a half times
in the total length, the length of the head three and a half to four times. Head once
and one-fifth to once and one-third as long as broad, as broad as or a little broader
than deep, granulate above, the granulate area usually extending on the snout
to halfway between the eye and the nostrils; snout rounded, as long as or slightly
shorter than the postocular part of the head; frontal fontanelle narrow; eye
supero-lateral, its diameter four to five times in the length of the head, once and
three-fourths to twice and one-third in the width of the interorbital region, which is
slightly convex; occiput simply convex. Mouth with moderately developed lips;
praemaxillary teeth forming a short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth not
half the diameter of the eye, 45 to 54 in number. Maxillary barbel without or with
only a slight trace of a marginal membrane, once to once and three-fifths the length
of the head, reaching between the anterior and the posterior third of the pectoral
spine; mandibular barbels inserted on a straight transverse line, the outer once and
two-thirds to twice as long as the inner, the former with slender branches, the latter
with shorter but ramified branches. Gill-opening not extending downwards beyond
the root of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal shield rugose and convex like the
occiput, once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as broad, the posterior
SYNODONTIS. 3690
processes pointed. Humeral process much longer than broad, feebly keeled, sharply
pointed, extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal process, or not quite so far.
Skin villose on the sides of the anterior part of the body. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays,
the spine strong, straight or feebly curved, smooth in front, serrated behind, two-thirds
to once the length of the head. Adipose dorsal fin three anda half to four times
as long as deep, once and one-third to twice and one-third as long as its distance from
the rayed dorsal. Anal fin rounded, with 11 or 12 rays, 7 or 8 of which are branched.
Pectoral spine as long as or a little shorter than the head, rather strongly serrated on
the outer edge, very strongly (10 to 15 serra) on the inner edge, not reaching the
ventral fin. Latter rounded, not reaching the anal fin. Caudal fin deeply forked,
upper lobe slightly the longer. Caudal peduncle a little longer than deep.
Dark brown above and beneath, with some lighter, yellowish-brown marblings
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3. 4 5
Total lengeth-(without.caudal) nn sis we 5 age Gt cme ee 132 | 123 | 105 90 70
Greatest Gent 3. 7 6p. ose es + i Syeee chs Meee se ee 31 33 28 23 19
Length of head: wus cnn Ga casdgees sop at see ess Ses Se 36 35 29 25 19
Widthcot Tepdis sash cizatcs mate ek eee oe ce ee ie 28 29 23 20 14
Lengthol BnGute to eer ee es 5 ee = bn eee eee 135 di) 11 9 4
| DAMMCbEr OE BG ig 55 3 sag os site ps a aie tar se aoa rec age ame eee 8 7 7 dD 44
Tntenatitalswacthe oo vnck fb sceeas eee ee eee 16 16 13 12 8
Wiidtirtofaitamti! | gach ie es ee ee ee ne eee 10 9 9 fe 5
Maxillary barbels cess iia coke ae eh eee eee pons 44 37 47 35 25
Outer manera badtie bins eae ee oS eae ee ? 24 26 19 14
Trnersmarndibular bathel: . 2.4 sweet o Stey hee Cee 16 dey, 14 EL 7
Length of dorsdispine 724 ec ae eee ee ee 30 31 28 23 AF
Baaal Joneth of darsas duet got a ecariee e 8g 5 «ats iss oh ae ee 18 18 15 13 10
‘5 gia SOI ORO. Lis ase ee cies” wae Pea gle o2 30 94 91 15
Greatest depth of adipose fin .....-.- cess eter e see teeseeen 8 8 ve 6 4
Length of pectoral bins PEER PEL foes SS ee Se pe SUS 32 32 29 23 18
1. Buganga—Degen. | 2. LI. Victoria.—Sir H. Johnston. | 3-5. Bunjako.—Degen. ©
366 SILURIDZ.
or wavy cross-bands and round blackish spots; fins grey, with transverse series of
black spots sometimes forming cross-bars.
Lotal length 145 millimetres.
This species appears to be confined to Lake Victoria. The type, preserved in the
Berlin Museum, was obtained by the late Dr. G. A. Fischer. The specimen from the
Kkingani River mentioned by Pfeffer lacks the villosities on the sides of the body
and therefore belongs no doubt to a distinct species. WVaillant’s S. afro-fischeri
from the Congo I have already referred to S. greshoffi, Schilthuis.
I have examined a specimen presented by Sir Harry Johnston to the British
Museum in 1901, and about 30 collected at Buganga and Bunjako by Mr. Degen,
in November 1908. 3
6. SYNODONTIS NIGRITA.
(Plate LXXI. fig. 1.)
Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p. 265, pl. eecexli. (1840) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 214
(1864) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien. lxi. i. 1870, p. 535; Vaillant, N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii.
1896, p. 149, & vii. pl. xii. fig. 1.
Hemisynodontis ngrita, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 55.
Body moderately compressed, its depth three to three and three-fourths times in the
total length, the length of the head three to three and a half times. Head once and
one-fifth to once and one-fourth as long as broad, as broad as or a little broader than
deep, rugose, granulate above from between the eyes; snout rounded, as long as the
postocular part of the head; frontal fontanelle rather large; eye supero-lateral, its
diameter four to five and one-third times in the length of the head, once and a half
to twice and a half in the width of the interorbital region, which is flat or slightly
convex; occiput simply convex. Mouth with moderately developed lips; premaxillary
teeth forming a short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth not more than
half the length of the eye, 30 to 35 in number. Maxillary barbel with a rather
broad marginal membrane in its basal third, once to once and two-thirds the length
of the head, reaching between the anterior and the posterior fourth of the pectoral
spine; mandibular barbels with short, tubercular branches *, inserted on a straight
transverse line, the outer about twice as long as the inner. Gill-openings not
extending downwards beyond the root of the pectoral fin. -Occipito-nuchal shield
rugose like the occiput, convex or obtusely tectiform, once and one-fourth to once and
a half as long as broad, the posterior process pointed or truncate. Humeral process
* These are not correctly represented on Vaillant’s figure; Valenciennes’s, executed from the same
specimen, is much better in this respect.
SYNODONTIS. 567
much longer than broad, distinctly keeled, sharply pointed, extending as far as, and
usually beyond, the occipito-nuchal process. Skin smooth, without villosities. Dorsal
fin with I 7 rays, the spine strong, straight or feebly curved, smooth in front, serrated
behind, three-fourths to once the length of the head, with a short terminal filament.
Adipose dorsal fin twice and two-thirds to three times as long as deep, once and
two-thirds to twice as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin rounded,
with 12 or 18 rays, 8 or 9 of which are branched. Pectoral spine three-fourths to once
the length of the head, feebly serrated on the outer edge, strongly (6 to 17 serra) on the
inner edge, reaching or not the root of the ventral fin. Ventral fin rounded, reaching
the anal or not quite so far. Caudal fin deeply forked, upper lobe slightly the longer.
Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little longer.
Measurements (in millimetres).
ik 2 3 4, 9) 6
Total length Gvithout, caudal: Tit) “05 aaieay eg ee ee eee 150 | 180 | 125 | 1165 75 48
Greatest depths. 5 « yds teers ols aoe eee eee ees 46 42 35 32 20 15
eneth of head ii2 his ate Age eae ker nays 46 42 36 35 23 16
Width: of Head! pbc Als ied ane dares Me ares: 36 35 31 30 20 11
Hemet OF Snetib 2.4 iri ies water glee Sal eg ee 18 16 14 14 9 6
‘Drader 08 By Gas ture ince earn eect uly tn ie ale Maan ecm 9 8 7 8 4 4
Tnterorkerbad wird liy csi tis 36s egal nein gh eae ei oe 22 20 16 16 10 6
Widiieal tout? cy ale earn ee ely ee | ent ae ee ee
Mavitlany Darbel ~ (ta emets saute Ge surg sae gees 53 50 37 53 22 16
Outer Mandipubar pee pe brie. cats 5 Raine Bains einai ag 30 25 22 27 es 9
Inner mandibular batvel-ie s\cee ce > 4a as ee glee 2245 12 12 14 6 5
Deneth of detea apices seceu a fite Sed eee eee ae 39 38 32 30 24 15
Basal net Gr COTdat dl sre aye ge us Pete hs Soden hee: 23 20 19 18 10 8
¥ vii MOR POSS, Fath eat ocean Rial Cece a wt ee Sa 38 30 27 26 1% 11
Greatest depth: of adipose fim + yi. s5 Srp iaet oo os Rien es vt 13 10 9 8 5 -
Leugth of pectoral spite 8 6.14 20) yn tae ce see oe 44 42 32 34 20 14
1,2. Tonga.—Loat. 5. Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez.
3. Gambia.—Budgett. 6. Polkom, Baro R.—Zaphiro.
4, Wadelai.i—Budgett.
21h ee SILURIDA.
The very young are brown, with two or three irregular wavy, dark-edged light
transverse bands on the caudal portion of the body, and spotted all over with blackish,
these spots sometimes forming cross-bands; a light, dark-edged streak from the eye
to the end of the snout; belly brown, with round darker spots; the fins are blackish,
except the caudal, which is whitish with three to five very regular black transverse
bands. In hie, according to Mr. Loat’s notes, the general colour of the body is dark
greenish yellow or even of a bright orange colour and the caudal fin is of a dirty
yellowish grey. The adult varies from brown or olive to blackish, with more or less
numerous round black spots, and the bands on the caudal fin, the ground-colour
of which is pale grey, are more numerous and less regular, or replaced by transverse
series of spots; the lower parts are brown or blackish, with or without round black
spots. Iris grey.
This species does not appear to reach a large size. Our largest specimen measures
only 170 millimetres.
Synodontis negrita, first described from the Senegal, has since been found in the
Gambia and in the Niger by Budgett, in the White Nile and in the Bahr-el-Gebel
by Mr. Loat.
List of specimens examined :—
2 Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 16.1.01.
18 Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1-31.3.01.
Polkom, Baro River (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Tonga.—Loat, 24.1.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 16.2.02.
Wadelai.—Budgett, 7.9.02.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1900.
Assay, S. Nigeria.—Budgett, 1903.
Oo 0 ee EH bb
The young specimen from the Ogowe referred to this species by Vaillant probably
belongs to S. obesus, Bler.*, which inhabits Old Calabar, Cameroon, and the Gaboon.
Under the name of Synxodontis humeratus, a fish of this genus has been described
in Cuvier and Valenciennes’s work, vol. xv. p. 264, from a coloured figure made by
Rifaud in Upper Egypt. A tracing of this figure has been published by Vaillant
and is here reproduced (p. 369). It is impossible to refer this sketch to any known
species. It appears to represent a fish similar to S. nigrita, but the short spine of
the dorsal fin, serrated in front as well as behind, precludes its identification with that
species. ‘lhe general colour is green, with the fins tinged or streaked with red.
Native name “ Gourgar-kebir.”
* Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) ii. 1898, p. 415.
SYNODONTIS. 369
Fig. 29.
By 4a" og
Wit
we
Synodontis humeratus, C. & V.: tracing of the original sketch, reduced to one-half. “(After Vaillant.)
7. SYNODONTIS EUPTERUS.
(Plate LX VIII.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 11.
Body rather strongly compressed, its depth three times in the total length, the
length of the head three and a half to four times. Head a little longer and deeper
than broad, rugose, granulate on the vertex and occiput and in front of the eyes;
frontal fontanelle rather narrow; snout rounded, as long as the postocular part of the
head; eye supero-lateral, its diameter three and two-thirds to four times in the length
of the head, once and a half to once and two-thirds in the width of the interorbital
region, which is slightly convex; occiput simply convex. Lips rather feebly
developed; premaxillary teeth forming a short and broad band; movable mandibular
teeth barely one-fourth the length of the eye, 45 to 50 in number. Maxillary barbel
with a rather narow but very distinct marginal membrane at the base, once and
a half to once and two-thirds as long as the head, reaching the anterior third or the
middle of the pectoral spine; outer mandibular barbel inserted a little further back
than and about twice as long as the inner, the former with long slender branches, the
latter with tubercular ramifications. Occipito-nuchal shield rough like the occiput,
obtusely tectiform, with obtuse posterior processes. Humeral process flat, granulate,
much longer than broad, obtuse-pointed, extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal
process, or not quite so far. Skin smooth, without villosities. Dorsal fin with I 7
rays *, the spine strong, feebly curved, Icnger than the head, smooth in front, very
feebly serrated behind, the soft terminal part, as well as the extremity of the anterior
* The number of nine branched rays in the type specimen is no doubt due to an anomalous splitting
of the last two rays.
3B
570 SILURIDA.
branched rays, prolonged into a long filament, the second soft ray being more than
twice as long as the head. Adipose dorsal fin twice and a half to three times as long
as deep, narrowly separated from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin pointed, with 12 rays,
8 of which are branched. Pectoral spine a little longer than the head, moderately
serrated on the outer edge, with 15 or 16 very strong serree on the inner side, not
reaching the ventral fin. Latter pointed, reaching the origin of the anal fin. Caudal
fin deeply forked, upper lobe much produced. Caudal peduncle a little deeper
than long.
Dark grey-brown (olive in life, according to Mr. Loat’s coloured sketch), with a few
round blackish spots on the head, back, and adipose fin; fins grey or olive, with
numerous small round black spots; fringe of maxillary barbels black; iris pale
reddish brown.
Total length 195 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
ig, 2s
otal lenwin Cwilhout caudal - 2% cn. tee, 10 147
SOC Sb OLN pees Re ae ge ee es DT 48
SPOT FULLOE Uieet te = 2 op See ey Sete sy AE ay 50 5
AN Lath og ead assay»: ats yey eee ke i ge ee AQ BS
enGt OLPeNGih «4 295 (FG eae eee ae Beg mi Sea 20 15
TIGMIEL OR OF ON 05 ic glo a Aa ea ea he a phy ks E a
EG@iererinar Mattuh io e = oa ed et ree on aye
ANE OEE MTC ag ee teeta See eee On eee a 14 11
Da et nie ORE OG Sac ats gang igs ne et es nds oe 74 62
Picor Wanarouler Marvel. bao be eee Gis BD 32
Loner manGronlar parUers 5 oe Ws oe A 20 16
hength-ot dorsal:spine- he te ee, 59 52
ipasal lonoth oh araal dime. 4s Aor wk) Sie Shes 39 35
‘: 4 AcIpOGe MIM. Voie etre ee Ale geiaes acess 49 4A}
Greatest.depth of adipose fin. .6 s.2. 5,5. 42 tw Ey, 16
Leneth of pochoralspiie 62.3 ee ag Aes d3 46
This very remarkable species was described from a single specimen (no. 2 of table
of measurements) first labelled as from the mouth of Lake No, but which came
from further down the White Nile. It was taken with hook and line by Mr. Loat’s
companion, Mr. G. D. Gunn, at Goz abu Gumah, on January 7th, 1901. A second
somewhat larger specimen was taken at the same place by Mr. Loat, on May 2nd
of the same year.
SYNODONTIS. 371
8. SYNODONTIS FILAMENTOSUS.
(Plate LXIX.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 10.
Body moderately compressed, its depth equal to the length of the head and four
times in the total length. Head once and one-fifth as long as broad, as deep as broad,
feebly rugose between the eyes and on the occiput; snout rounded, as long as the
postocular part of the head; frontal fontanelle rather large; eye supero-lateral, its
diameter three and a half times in the length of the head and once and one-third
in the width of the interorbital region, which is slightly convex; occiput simply
convex. Mouth with moderately developed lips; pramaxillary teeth rather few,
forming a short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth barely one-fourth the
length of the eye, 20 in number. Maxillary barbel broadly margined at the base,
four-fifths the length of the head, extending to the base of the pectoral fin;
mandibular barbels with numerous long ramified branches, the outer inserted a little
further back than and once and a half as long as the inner. Gill-opening not
extending downwards beyond the root of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal shield
slightly rugose, obtusely tectiform, once and one-third as long as broad, the posterior
processes rounded. Humeral process a little longer than broad, flat, rounded behind,
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total lewpth~ sae as sie Ga ey eee eed)
i pias SE WIG nieand ad)... sass oe oe et ees Pe
Gréatest depth = 2035 Ft te ee ec ee a oe 40
Deptethol lita: ae se oe ae eee 4()
Wardtn oGsieHe <oae 6 ge oe a eee AES EES ee 32
Tien eNOUls uy 5 <tas oe tien ce ee eee a eet gees 16
Wigmeter- or ever ac a Sk ee ee ee ee Sy
lnteropbitel Wii ee a ee oe eee eee 16
‘Wititial imoutae ce eS ee eee ee ee ee 12
Witex tthe arbol eo erp ie eee Sie eee. D2
Citer Inandratee patie eee eee ee 26
dinner mandir: battee sees ate cs ce ee eee £7
didiitle OF Gusset: Stn 6 tee tee as ey Se eg ese oe aie oy es 41
basal length.ot dome) ties Sine es op ae 23
ig ‘ Pre U0vet Revd Wenge eee ERE ei pieree Seni ties a em Bee 54.
Rs tesiou. capil Gr NOMGes I cy. eae ee Se 12
ERG PC PSCiotar BOING a epee 39
312 SILURIDE.
extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal process. Skin smooth, not villose.
Dorsal fin with 17 rays, the spine strong, feebly serrated behind, striated in front,
as long as the head, with a filamentous prolongation exceeding it in length. Adipose
dorsal fin four and a half times as long as deep, twice as long as its distance from the
rayed dorsal. Anal fin rounded, with 11 rays, 7 of which are branched. Pectoral
spin¢ nearly as long as the head, moderately serrated on the outer edge, very strongly
(15 serree) on the inner, not reaching the ventral fin. Latter rounded, not reaching
the anal. Caudal fin deeply forked, upper lobe the longer. Caudal peduncle
as long as deep.
Greyish above, with small scattered darker spots, white beneath; fins whitish, with
small greyish spots on the dorsal and caudal fins; dorsal filament and upper and lower
borders of caudal fin black; barbels white.
A single specimen, anomalous in having the left maxillary barbel forked, was
procured by Mr. Loat at Jebelain *, White Nile, on January 10th, 1901.
9. SYNODONTIS SERRATUS.
(Plate LXX. and Plate LX XI. fig. 2.)
Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 8, pl. ii. fig. 1 (1829); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv.
p. 263 (1840) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 212 (1864), and Petherick’s Tray. ii. p. 234 ERE
Vaillant, N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii. 1896, p. 136.
Pseudosynodontis serratus, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. 1. 1863, p. 59.
Body moderately compressed, its depth three and one-fourth to four and one-fourth
times in the total length, the length of the head three and one-third to four and one-
third times. Head once and one-third to once and a half as long as broad, not or but
little broader than deep, more or less rugose above, behind the snout, the rugosities
sometimes concealed under a rather thick skin; snout rounded or obtusely pointed,
longer than the postocular part of the head; frontal fontanelle rather large; eye
supero-lateral, its diameter five (young) to eleven times in the length of the head,
twice to four times in the width of the interorbital region, which is more or less
convex ; occiput very convex. Mouth with moderately developed lips ; pramaxillary
teeth forming a short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth not half the
diameter of the eye, 30 to 48 in number. Maxillary barbel with a broad marginal
membrane in its proximal third, two-thirds to once and one-third the length of the
head, reaching between the base and the middle of the pectoral spine; outer
mandibular barbel inserted a little further back than and about twice as long as the
* Through a confusion of labels, the specimen was stated, in the original description, to be from the
mouth of Lake No, which is further south.
SYNODONTIS. Mo
inner, the former with long slender branches, which may bear secondary branches, the
latter with tubercular ramifications. Gill-opening not extending downwards beyond the
root of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal shield rough like the occiput, obtusely tecti-
form, once and a half to once and two-thirds as long as broad, the posterior processes
pointed or truncate. Humeral process a little longer than broad, flat or with a very
indistinct keel, rugose, acutely pointed, extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal
process or not quite so far. Skin smooth, without villosities. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays ;
the spine strong, curved, feebly serrated behind, distinctly but finely serrated in
front, as long as or a little shorter than the head, the soft terminal part usually
produced into a short filament. Adipose dorsal fin three to four times as long as deep,
Measurements (in millimetres).
i; 2 3 4 4) 6. ii 8 9 10
| Lotal lenath ‘Gwaithout Gaiden. i.c goatee aes 425 |400 390 (3850 |825 |245 |220 200 |170 123
Greatest depth ..... emer siren she eds © ube 115 |108 110 | 94 |100 | 62 | 54 | 47 | 40 | 83
Teh biila OF Weal ae ae cin cea oe scale ee ae ee: Sate Ea 110 {108 107 | 91 | 95 | 67 | 64 | 57 | 48 | 37
Width at | Tee Ni Seabee ahem Wr oepe see pe oa ase ta 85 | 80 | 78 | 67 | 72 | 50 | 43 | 38 | 32 | 27
| eonghhof Snot bir; 10 Sve a ee eee eS wees) D456 02 48 48-84 | 38 27a 24 18
Piamidter ion eye: aes see, Sees ae ely ees fe Se cae ce ell eli os ede Oe BE ccm ai
| Tratewonbital ayer 2 ie oe Sie cae eh re 44 | 40 | 41 | 32 | 87 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 18
Wadthsoi teu Gh ise She er er eats othe cine 24 124 125 | Be 2a le IS | Loo Fae
| Maxillary barbel 1.1.6... cece eee eee eee eens 88 |1382 {125 | 80 | 68 | 52 | 59 | 42 | 51 | 35
| Outer mandibular barbel ...........0.0.e0ecees TT 1°86 | 76 1°62) 08 4 385" Op a0nitaa agp. |e
“Inner mandibular barbel ..........0- 0.00.0. 00 0. 34 | 39. | By | 27 27 1220) 19: hb ae a2 |
| TLecteetce laine oles eeguia stearate saa erie 115 |105 107 | 86 | 95 | 60 | 63 | 49 | 44 | 80
Basal: length of dorsal hie S302 Be hee, A Me og BO 50 53 Da AST 4h ge On 2G) 2a ty
eet es fat ee es 155 |138 151 127 127 | 90 | 80 | 79 | 64 | 45 |
| Greatest depth of adipose fin ..............0-.. 40 | 32 | 87 | 30 | 33 | 38 | 20 | 18] 17 | 11
‘Length pi pectora Papier sens Cet wee eek eh an 124 |107 111 | 86 | 98 | 62 | 59 | 48 | 45 | 81 |
1,10. Khartum.—Petherick. 5. Ahmed Aga.—Loat.
2,4. Assuan.—Loat. 6, 8. Samannud.—Loat.
3, 7. Ibrim.—Loat. 9. Abu Hor.—Loat.
Be: Bee SILURID.E.
five to eight times as long as its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin obtusely
pointed in front, with 12 or 13 rays, 7 or 8 of which are branched. Pectoral spine nearly
as long as or a little longer than that of the dorsal, reaching or nearly reaching the root
of the ventral fin, its outer border finely, its inner border more strongly serrated (serre
14 in the young to 40 in the adult). Ventral fin not reaching the anal. Caudal fin
deeply forked, the upper lobe longer than the lower, sometimes prolonged into a
filament. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or deeper than long.
Uniform bluish grey or brownish above, white beneath. Mouth and maxillary
barbels pink ; iris grey, with a pale golden circle: Young with minute dark specks on
the back and on the adipose fin. The very young is still unknown.
The largest specimen measures 470 millimetres.
Ihe habitat of this species seems to be confined to the Nile, where it appears to be
much rarer than S. schal/. The original specimen was obtained by Riippell at Cairo.
Mr. Loat’s collection contains a good number of specimens from the Lower and Upper
Nile, but only one from the White Nile. It is through an error of determination that I
recorded this species from Lake Chad; the dried specimen sent to the British Museum
by Capt. Gosling, should, I now think, be referred to 9. gambiensis.
Ginther’s S. serratus from Old Calabar (Ann. & Mag. N. H. [6] xvii. 1896, p. 277)
is a distinct species, which I have described under the name of S. obesus.
The specimen from the Webi Shebeli noticed by Vinciguerra (Ann. Mus. Genova,
[2] xvii. 1896, p. 351) may turn out to be identical with Giinther’s S. geledensis.
List of specimens examined :—
Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12.7.99.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 27.8.99.
Assuan.—Loat, 30.12.99 6.1.00.
Abu Hor.—Loat, 18.1.00.
Mirrwau.—Loat, 19.1.00.
El Maharraka.—Loat, 24.1.00.
Ibrim.—Loat, 5-6.2.00.
Abaad.—Loat, 8.2.00.
Fergunt.—Loat, 12.2.00.
Abu Simbel.—Loat, 14.2.00.
Belanya.—Loat, 14.2.00.
Wady Halfa.—Loat, 23-25.2.00.
Kosheh.—Loat, 15—-28.3.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861
Ahmed Aga, White Nile.-—Loat, 15—28.3.00.
Between Khartum and the Sobat.—Zaphiro, 1904.
Ooo re 9
he bo
Ree wwor ww & bd
Mr. Loat says that, according to the fishermen, this Schall is hardly ever taken at
Assuan with the casting-net, but with baited hooks, as it frequents deep water. The
SYNODONTIS. 8T5
bait used is chiefly durra paste. A favourite spot for catching it was about a mile
south of Assuan, in deep water, with fairly high rocky banks. Unlike the “hairy”
S. schall, there is very little mucous matter on the sides of the body in this species.
At most places the fishermen do not make a distinction between WS. serratus and
S. schall, but they do at Assuan, where the former is designated as “ Gargour gowagie ”
or “ Gowagie” (a3),3 135).
10. SYNODONTIS SOREX.
(Plate LXXIL)
Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 211 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 233, pl. i. fig. B (1869);
Vaillant, N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii. 1896, p. 107.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three to four and a half times in the total length,
the length of the head three to three and a half times. Head once and a half to once
and two-thirds as long as broad, deeper than broad, more or less rugose, finely
granulate above from between the eyes, the granulate area sometimes extending on the
snout; frontal fontanelle narrow; snout pointed, once and a half to twice as long
as the postocular part of the head; eye lateral, five (young) to seven and one-third
times in the length of the head, twice to three and a half times in the width of the
interorbital region, which is flat or feebly convex ; occiput obtusely tectiform. Mouth
narrow, with strongly developed lips, forming a large lobe on each side ; premaxillary
teeth few, in two or three series, with a few minute ones behind; movable mandibular
teeth as long as ora little longer than the eye, 6 to 8 in number. Maxillary barbel with
a broad marginal membrane at the base, two-fifths to one-half the length of the head;
mandibular barbels with long, finely tuberculate, slender branches, the outer inserted
further back than and once and a half to twice as long as the inner. Gill-opening not
extending downwards beyond the root of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal shield rough
like the occiput, obtusely tectiform, once and a half to twice as long as broad, the
posterior processes obtusely pointed or truncate. Humeral process little longer than
broad, flat, granulate, rounded or obliquely truncate, extending as far or not quite as
far back as the occipito-nuchal process. Skin smooth, not villose. Dorsal fin with
I7 rays; the spine strong, straight or curved, finely serrated in front, coarsely behind,
slightly shorter or slightly longer than the head, the soft terminal part produced into a
short filament. Adipose dorsal fin three to five times as long as deep, four to six times as
long as its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin acutely pointed, with 12 rays, 8 of
which are branched. Pectoral spine shorter than that of the dorsal, rarely reaching the
base of the ventral fin, its outer border smooth or very finely serrated, its inner border
with 11 (young) to 28 strong serre. Ventral fin acutely pointed, reaching the origin
376 SILURIDA, —
of the anal fin or a little beyond. Caudal fin very deeply forked, the upper lobe the
longer and often terminating in a filament. Caudal peduncle nearly as long as deep.
Grey above, white below; rayed fins light, witha more or less distinct dark blotch on
the dorsal near its base, and a dark band along each lobe of the caudal; barbels white.
Total length 380 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
i 2 3. 4 5
Hota lengli withomcandairrns.c ter. ca eee 6G tier as ea OY 1 GO: th) 70
Greatest: dep tlingn sts th aotner tae wie: hd eee oe hee bie LZ 83 39 33 ey
emer OiArenGs mesa get i wouter Mk un ares Me ee wees 100 90 51 40 a
VIG Oricad a eb ates Oc: aa eee ke fire Oh ar ae ears SO IS I 69 58 28 25 15 |
HPDCU OREM OUD wc es trey oe nia, esas igh st pata es 56 50 28 24 14
APC ROG RV Oe win a hot tence all oelaaehadl a eae det audi eae ae cae 15 AD ede © 8 5)
PIPCROMUMRIEMIGUN: 2 lads ond Slee eine ee eane pena tou 50 Aye) 21 Ae lO
BIS COWUN GT Jz Cer 10115] ) gee amar Cogn Aaa aR aor aa ee YL rane cai aeeny 20 1d 10 8 5)
BYE sci Oy OC le meets 3 oars a x gh wee yor cs LA AES ge Ga aR od 46 46 21 20 -@ae atl
Gnterspandibularbet belo se -otcn es ete eke are: 38 28 L7. 18 10
Preiey Poenan mer Pek sar tes vp eee ao cen se 20 16 ce 9 7
ect ty Or, COnea INS rn tent ae 26s ae, vedas moet tyes mute ila. fas oe 102 93 ? 43 20
Pacer OAs nO AOESAL MUM, 154 pieit creda dey. s 4 tai kere ds Seanad 52 48 22 Oo 4 egal
Se rvidt iat nna ait BS, ust ee boy GE Vat 1B telom {eipers|*36%el) oy
CrentosteCoprl Gr AU MICSe WI Lo tye gabe dea vanes Fae 38 24 10 9 | 5
Wenonie er WeChotal BhiNGsiee och roger d «aon we Pe gi &0 70 : 33 | 18
1. L. No.—Loat. | 2,4. Wad Medine.—Loat. | 3,5. Khartum.—Petherick. (Types.)
Originally described from two specimens obtained at Khartum by Consul Petherick,
this very distinct species has been rediscovered in the Blue and White Niles by
Mr. Loat. I have before me seven specimens :—
2 Khartum.—Petherick, 1861. (Types.)
4 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.— Loat, 6.10.01.
1 Mouth of Lake No, White Nile.—Loat, 3.2.01.
4
7
,?
a
SYNODONTIS. ses
The young specimens from Bangi, Upper Ubanghi, mentioned by Vaillant as possibly
referable to this species, probably belong to S. vaillantz, Blgr.
According to Mr. Loat, this fish is known as “ Ad’see-see” or “ See-see ” (undo i!) at
Omdurman, “ Abu see’b@ ber” (a \s» y!) on the Blue Nile.
11. SYNODONTIS CLARIAS.
(Plate LXXIIT.)
Silurus elarias, Linneeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Paleest. p. 412 (1762), and Syst. Nat. 1. p. 504, part.
(1766).
Silurus callarias, part., Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichth. p. 379 (1801).
Pimelodus synodontis, Geoftroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. pl. xii. figs. 5 & 6 (1809).
Synodontis macrodon, I. Geoffroy, op. cit. p. 295 (1827) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv.
p. 252 (1840) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 211 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. u. p. 234 (1869).
Synodontis clarias, Riippell, Beschr. n. Fische Nil, p. 5 (1829); Vaillant, N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii.
1896, p. 102.
Body strongly compressed, its depth three and two-thirds to four and one-third
times in the total length, the length of the head three to three and a half times, Head
once and two-fifths to once and two-thirds as long as broad, a little deeper than broad,
rugose, granulate above from between the eyes, the granulate area sometimes extending
a little on the snout; frontal fontanelle narrow; snout pointed, as long as or longer
than the postocular part of the head; eye lateral or nearly so, four and a half
(young) to six times in the length of the head, once and four-fifths to three times in
the width of the interorbital region, which is convex; occiput simply convex. Mouth
narrow, with strongly developed lips, forming a large lobe on each side; premaxillary
teeth few, in one, two, or three series, sometimes with a few minute ones behind ;
movable mandibular teeth two-thirds to once the diameter of the eye, 6 to 9 in
number. Maxillary barbel with a distinct marginal membrane at the base and with
long, slender, finely tuberculate branches, its length three-fifths to nearly once that of
the head; mandibular barbels with long, tuberculate branches, the outer inserted
further back than and once and one-third as long as the inner. Gill-opening not
extending downwards beyond the root of the pectoral fin. Occipito-nuchal shield
rough like the occiput, obtusely tectiform, once and two-thirds to twice as long as
broad, the posterior processes obtuse or truncate. Humeral process subtriangular, flat,
eranulate, not extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal process. Skin smooth, not
villose. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays; the spine strong, strongly curved, more or less
distinctly finely serrated in front in its basal half, strongly serrated behind, as long as
or longer than the head, the soft terminal part produced into a short filament. Adipcse
3C
378 SILURIDA,
dorsal fin three to four and a half times as long as deep, four to eight times as long as
its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin acutely pointed, with 12 to 14 rays,7 to 9
of which are branched. Pectoral spine shorter than that of the dorsal, sometimes
reaching the base of the ventral fin, its outer border feebly serrated, its inner border
with 10 (young) to 25 strong serre. Ventral fin acutely pointed, reaching the origin
of the anal fin or a little beyond. Caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe the longer.
Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than long.
According to Redouté and Rifaud, mentioned by Valenciennes, the upper parts, in
fresh specimens, are dark grey or blackish green above, whitish beneath. A sketch
made by Mr. Loat at Wad Medine indicates the upper parts as silvery grey, the lower
white ; other specimens are stated to be dark grey above, with bronzy green reflection ;
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3 4 5. 6 7 8 9)
Total length (without caudal) ....| 245 | 220 | 205 | 190 | 180 | 160 | 120 95 67
Gwrealesh Gopi: Tiliat. 27 5501 S5. 87 83 62 63 64 50 39 30 yal
lefesoyed dit: .uaBlovcs: (0 SSF Waeedieg year ime ones 73 66 66 5d 53 48 39 32 23
WRG ENL OF WOAO cate oS. itecally aa! x a1 51 45 46 39 36 29 = ad 19 14
WLenetH.OL 6Ouitest ah nase taaeak 29 26 39d 27 24 23 | 18 13 10
PIAMORER OL OV? tina Sah oe ese sie 14 12 10 1] 9 8 6 5)
Tnterorbitalwidttt 2 oe 53). aida + 30 25 25 24 Beer dee 13 9
Wie E TOU, Go ebe kite pc 14 13 Le RE mt y) 8 6 o
MemaWary barbeks tik tk 49 46 46 39 50 30 | 26 23 14
Outer mandibular barbel ........ 23 22 27 a7 4 18 13 12 %
Inner mandibular barbel ........ 17 16 14 13 13 11 2 9 5
Length of dorsal spine .......... 93 78 64 79 70 60 45 30 25
Basal length of dorsal fin..../...) 44 37 af 32 30 25 i) 16 10
rs ie adipose fin ...... 96 77 60% 4) 57 62 50 oO” 30 20
Greatest depth of adipose fin ....| 25 20 14 tn 19 15 Ld 10 5
Length of pectoral spine ........ 65 58 57 51 50 43 30 24 16
1. Wad Medine.—Loat. 5,0. Gambia.—Budgett. 6. Cairo.—Riippell.
2. L. No.—Loat. 4, IL. Chad.—Gosling. 7-9. White Nile-—Zaphiro.
SYNODONTIS. 379
fins greyish white; a pale red band along each lobe of the caudal fin, On Gambian
specimens Budgett has noted “Brilliant red tail and a little red near the head.”
Young specimens have some dark marblings on the body and round dark spots on the
ventral, anal, and caudal fins.
Total length 270 millimetres. |
This species varies much in the length of the snout. Most of our specimens agree
with Geoffroy’s figure, the type of which has not been preserved, in having it as long
as or but little longer than the postocular part of the head, and at-any rate less than
half the length of the head. But Vaillant describes one of Geoffroy’s types, a rather
young specimen in the Paris Museum, as having the snout more than half the length
of the head, in this respect agreeing with a specimen (no. 3 of table of measurements)
brought home from the Gambia by Budgett, and which I should have felt inclined to
describe as a new species had I not had so large a series of specimens for study.
Synodontis clarias must be very rare in the Lower Nile, whence Hasselquist’s and
Geoffroy’s specimens were procured. Mr. Loat found it only in the White and Blue
Niles. It has been recorded from the Senegal and has been found by Budgett in the
Gambia, by Capt. Gosling in Lake Chad.
List of specimens examined :—
1 Cairo.—Riippell, 1832.
1 Omdurman.—Loat, 20.12.00.
5 Wad Medine, Blue Nile.—Loat, 10-22.10.01.
1 Jebelain, White Nile-——Loat, 11.1.01.
1 Kaka, White Nile——Loat, 15.1.01.
4 Fashoda, White Nile.—Loat, 18.1.01.
5 Between Khartum and the Sobat.—Zaphiro, 1904.
24 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 27.1-11.2.01.
1 Lake Chad.— Capt. Gosling, 1904.
3 Nianimaru, Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
According to Hasselquist this fish is called “ Scheilan,” according to Geoffroy
“ Schal Senen,’ in Egypt.
Only two other species agree with S. clarias, the type of the genus Synodontis, in
having barbed maxillary barbels. ‘These are S. decorus, Blgr., from the Congo, and
S. resupinatus, Blgr., from the Niger. cays
3¢2
580 SILURIDA,
12. SYNODONTIS BATENSODA.
(Plate LX XIV.)
Synodontis membranaceus, part., I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 297 (1827); Cuvier &
Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xv. p- 258 (1840) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i. 1870,
p- 036.
Synodontis batensoda, Riippell, Fortsetz. Beschr.n. Fische Nil, p. 6, pl. i. fig. 2 (1832); Boulenger,
Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 12.
Brachysynodontis batensoda, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 55.
Synodontis melanogaster, Ehrenberg, in Peters, Reise n. Mossamb. iy. p. 31 (1868).
Synodontis membranaceus, Vaillant, N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii. 1896, pp. 161 & 167.
Body strongly compressed, its depth twice and two-thirds to three times in the
total length, the length of the head twice and two-thirds to three and one-third times.
Head once and one-fourth to once and three-fourths as long as broad, deeper than
broad, rugose, granulate above from between the eyes, the granulate area sometimes
extending a little on the snout; frontal fontanelle narrow; snout obtusely pointed, as
long as or a little longer than the postocular part of the head; eye supero-lateral, three
and a half (young) to five and one-third times in the length of the head, not less than
the interorbital width in the young, once and a half to once and two-thirds in the
interorbital width in the adult ; interorbital region convex; occiput obtusely tectiform ;
operculum terminating in a few short spines. Mouth moderate, with moderately
developed lips; preemaxillary teeth forming a short and broad band; movable mandi-
bular teeth one-fourth to one-third the diameter of the eye, 30 to 57 in number.
Maxillary barbel with a broad marginal membrane, three-fifths to about once the
length of the head, usually reaching the base of the pectoral spine or a little beyond;
mandibular barbels inserted on a straight transverse line, the outer with long, slender,
simple branches, once and one-third to twice as long as the inner, some of the branches
of which are bifid or trifid. Gill-openings extending downwards beyond the base of
the pectoral fin, but separated by a broad isthmus, which at least. equals the interorbital
width. Occipito-nuchal shield rough like the occiput, obtusely tectiform, once and a
half to twice as long as broad, the posterior processes pointed or rounded. Humeral
processes about as long as broad, flat, granulate, pointed or obliquely truncate
posteriorly, not extending as far back as the occipito-nuchal process. Skin smooth,
not villose. Dorsal fin with I 7 rays, the spine strong, straight or feebly curved,
smooth in front, feebly serrated behind, about as long as the head, the soft terminal
part produced into a short filament. Adipose dorsal fin twice and a half to four times
as long as deep, originating immediately behind the rayed dorsal. Anal fin acutely
pointed, with 12 to 14 rays, 7 to 9 of which are branched. Pectoral spine as long as
SYNODONTIS. 881
or a little longer than that of the dorsal, not reaching the base of the ventral fin, its
outer border feebly serrated, its inner border with 8 (young) to 21 strong serre.
Ventral fin acutely pointed, reaching the origin of the anal fin, or not quite so far.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper
than long. |
Body and adipose dorsal fin silvery grey to dark purplish ; lower parts dark brown
to black; barbels blackish; fins grey, ventrals, anal, and caudal with round black spots ;
iris brown. Young with large dark spots, separated by a network of the light ground-
colour, the spots on the fins larger and confluent into cross-bands.
Total length 240 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 5) 4 5. 6 7 8 9 :
| Total length (without caudal) ....| 210 | 195 | 175 | 150- | 125 | 110 90 76 43 |
PGtremiest:Ceput ccna. tka. 4c iA 65 67 57 43 38 32 25 14
| oeneth-of hand. 0 G7 0B 4:2 5B. 1 AG ae a. Oe Oe. aa
‘Wadth of head... #92 oot 4 tf 39 | 33 25 22 21 16 9
bemethsor siout ai. Si eae 27 24 ass wee eee) 16 14 13 12 5
PUR ChOr OL Eyer oe oo eas ee 13 jue it 10 8 8 6 7 4
Literorbital width ..3. ts. 256 20 de pose be 14 10 8 7 6 4
Wadth, of-miowth, < 55 2cs.a8 sees | 21 19 16 15 10 9 9 8 5
Maxillary barbell (sy te 65 48 49 37 35 38 28 20 12
Outer mandibular barbel ........ 39 34 | 32 27 20 24 | 18 16 8
Inner mandibular barbel ........ 21 08 18 Ty 9 15 2 8 6
Length of dorsal spine.......... 63 50 57 44, 39 34 32 25 15
Basal length of dorsal fin........ 37 32 Bi Oye yi ea tg 16 14 7
c re adipose fin ...... 80 68 64 58 47 30 3l 26 16
Greatest depth of adipose fin ....| 22 20 20 20 15 12 12 fe 4.
Length of pectoral spine ........ 59 54: 51 45 38 Be 27 22 3
1. Shari R.—Gosling. 5. Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez. 7,8. Fashoda.—Loat.
2. Gondokoro.—Loat. 6. Gambia.—Budgett. 9. Khartum.—Flower.
3, 4. Lake No.—Loat.
Tope) SILURIDZ.
Described by Riippell from specimens obtained at Cairo, where they descend in
small numbers during the flood-time, this species has often been confounded with the
following, from which it differs in several very important characters. It has not been
rediscovered in the Lower Nile since the days of Geoffroy and Riippell; Mr. Loat’s
specimens are from the White Nile and the Bahr-el-Gebel. It also occurs in the Chad
Basin, in the Senegal, and in the Gambia.
List of specimens examined :—
3 South of Khartum.—Capt. Flower, 1903.
39 Fashoda.—Loat, 14-31.3.01.
7 Mouth of Lake No.—Tioat, 31.1-15.2.01.
1 Gondokoro.—Loat, 27.1.02.
1 Bahr-el-Gebel.— Drury, 1901.
1 R. Shari-Wasu at Maidugarii—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
3 Kaédi, Senegal—Delhez, 1899.
2 McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1900.
According to Ruppell the fishermen in his days knew the fish as ** Shal baten soda,”
which means “Schal with a black belly.” According to Loat this species and the
following are called “ Gargour gelarby” or ‘“ Gelarby” ( ej y94)8) at Omdurman.
“ Schal gemel” (Qs> Jie) is their name in Lower Egypt according to Geoffroy, whilst
in Upper Egypt Rifaud has designated them as “‘ Gourgar Chami.”
The curious fact of S. batensoda and S. membranaceus having the lower parts darker
than the upper appears to be connected with their habit of swimming in a reversed
position, the belly turned upwards. ‘This habit, known to the ancient Egyptians, who
have frequently represented them in that attitude *, has been described by Geoffroy,
who says they nearly constantly swim on their back, moving quite freely forwards or
sidewards ; but if alarmed they revert to the normal position to escape more rapidly.
These observations have been verified by Mr. Loat.
A third species, of similar coloration, has been discovered by Budgett in Northern
Nigeria and described by me as WS. resupinatusy. In its structural characters it is
intermediate between SN. clarias and S. batensoda.
* Of. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. 11. pl. ix. It is also well represented in the tomb of Ti at Sakkara
(unpublished photograph in the collection of Prof. Flinders Petrie).
+ Proc. Zool. Soc. 1904, 1. p. 199, pl. vii.
SYNODONTIS. 383
13. SYNODONTIS MEMBRANACEUS.
(Plate LX XV.)
Pimelodus membranaceus, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. pl. xii. figs. 1 & 2 (1809).
Synodontis membranaceus, part., I. Geoffroy, op. cit. p. 297 (1827); Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist.
Poiss. xv. p. 258 (1840) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, l1xi. i. 1870, p. 536.
Hemisynodontis membranaceus, Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1863, p. 55.
Synodontis membranaceus, Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 215 (1864), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 236
(1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxxiii. 1.1881, p. 200; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H.
CT) wits TIO, pa.
Synodontis guentheri, Vaillant, Bull. Soc. Philom. (8) v. 1892, p. 16, and N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii.
1896, pp. 164 & 167.
Body strongly compressed, its depth twice and two-thirds to three and one-third
times in the total length, the length of the head twice and a half to three times. Head
once and one-fourth to twice as long as broad, deeper than broad, rugose, granulate
above from between the eyes, the granulate area sometimes extending a little on
the snout; frontal fontanelle narrow; snout obtusely pointed, as long as or a little
shorter than the postocular part of the head; eye supero-lateral, four (young) to six
and a half times in the length of the head, not less than the interorbital width in the
young, once and a half to twice in the interorbital width in the adult; interorbital
| region convex; occiput tectiform. Mouth large, with feeble lips, except on the sides,
where they are confluent with the membrane of the maxillary barbel and supported by
a barbel-like dermal ray which extends to its extremity; preemaxillary teeth very feeble,
forming a short and rather narrow band; mandibular teeth very minute, 8 to 14 in
number, forming a small patch at the symphysis of the lower jaw. Maxillary barbel
with a very broad membranous border almost to its extremity, as long as or a little
longer or a little shorter than the head, reaching the root of the pectoral spine or a
little beyond; mandibular barbels inserted on a straight transverse line, with a few
long, slender branches in the basal half, with a membranous border in the terminal
half, the inner one-third to two-thirds the length of the outer. Gill-openings separated
on the throat by a narrow isthmus, the width of which is less than the diameter of the
eye. Occipito-nuchal shield rough like the occiput, tectiform, once and a half to twice
as long as broad, the posterior processes obtuse or truncate. Humeral process
subtriangular, flat, granulate, as long as deep or deeper than long, not extending as far
back as the occipito-nuchal process. Skin smooth, not villose. Dorsal fin with
I 7 rays, the spine strong, straight or curved, smooth in front, feebly serrated behind,
three-fifths to four-fifths the length of the head. Adipose dorsal fin three to five
times as long as deep, originating immediately behind the rayed dorsal. Anal tin
384 SILURIDA.
acutely pointed, with 13 or 14 rays, 8 or 9 of which are branched. Pectoral spine
usually as long as or a little longer than that of the dorsal, not reaching the base of the
ventral fin, its outer border feebly serrated, its inner border with 7 (young) to 32 strong
serree. Ventral fin acutely pointed, reaching the origin of the anal fin or a little
beyond. Caudal fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle deeper than long.
Silvery grey or whitish, the lower parts dark brown to black; barbels whitish, with
the membranous border dark brown or black; iris white. Young with ill-defined
dark blotches on the body, and with round dark spots on the rayed fins, forming more
or less regular transverse series.
Total length 455 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
| 1 2 3 4 5 6. Z 8 ) 10
Total Teneth (without caudal) 2.7. su a8 aes ees 410 '390 |825 300 280 LPO AT Re Ue- Fo) BO
Greatest depth yo... 0.6 cers ceca ke eeu ce-s ee LOO (126 1118 119 (11 caeh 3/7. | 23 1.15
Torte OL: HONG: vera y 54 ay owe eine Mie vanes 145 |127 |112 |105 | 93 | 61 | 43 | 38 | 31 | 20
Wid tn Gr hone cout eerie ieee Gk Re ee 4 eR pair res) S00 to). jod 2! Oe OT 6 LO
reins OP BiaOUy er s.e soy te Gane tas anise 1 See 65 | 57 | 50 | 48 | 40 | 28} 19/17) 14] 8
Pat eVOeoO e0Os aia gies i caw nee nate ae ks Peale bao) som cde lek ye Bele “af ie Lead %
USAT eg) 0 dae 8 hs arp ene ae Pa aN eee er 40 | 35 | 84 | 28 | 28115110) 8)| 7 | 5
MAE MOGI Sse lAoe bitte asec rata s ...| 48 | 42 | 89 | 89 | 81 | 21) 14/12) 97 6
Wii RUAPYOU NT Gl whew ute cates, cag pi Sack nee elk evr bogs siento ee. O7 | 37) 30: 80-90
Water Mian Ouiat PRD! 2 wes soc ey atiaiae mass ee al Ot | | OO: ube sf OP EO LG | 28
inner mandibular parliel-pyaiiys «eau sete rs Soe eae Be eoe.|Sceaieeee: Hodes Loo - eae 56
Homo OL COTSMLSPING.. 9 vas aecuel ss rotten eee OCS ae dae oe ee
Piacoa net -OL COlsal Gk oy oy veins cs bg hace aes O05) OL | 47) 464) 40 24 17 IS ib | 27
Bi tous Stelter Hats, fice ee, oss 155 149 1112 108 [163 | 62 | 44 | 31 | 27 | 17
Greatest depth of adipose fin ................6. AA AQ | BS) S45 383542 10 8 8 Ms 5
Pentivorpecteral spe. A eS 106 | 95 | 82 | 83] 67 | 2 | 31/24] 22 | 12
1,2, 7. Khartum.—Petherick. 6. St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez. 9. Niger Delta.—Crosse.
3,4. Lake No.—Loat. 8. Lake Chad.—Gosling. 10. Assay, Niger.—Ansorge,
5. Lokoja, Niger.—Budgett.
SYNODONTIS. 385
The specimen figured in the ‘ Description de l’Kgypte,’ which is not to be found in
the Paris Museum, came no doubt from the Lower Nile, where the species has not
been obtained since. Our specimens are from the White Nile. The species is also
known from Lake Chad, the Senegal, and the Niger.
List of specimens examined :—
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861. (Types of S. guentheri.)
Fashoda.—Loat, 18.4.01.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 25-27.1.01.
Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Lokoja, N. Nigeria.—Budgett, 1903.
Abo, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Assay, S. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Niger Delta.—Dr. Crosse, 1895.
ac a a a ee oe,
Marno, who has sent a large number of specimens to the Vienna Museum, has
noted that he has never seen this fish swimming otherwise than upside down *.
Ibis species stands quite apart from the other members of the genus, and the fact
that it has so often been confounded with S. batensoda can only be accounted for by
the rarity of specimens in collections. Thus Valenciennes had only a specimen of
S. batensoda before him when he prepared his account of the Silurid#, whilst Giinther
was only acquainted with the true S. membranaceus. Vaillant correctly distinguished
the two, but he regarded the example of the former species in the Paris Museum as
the type of S. membranaceus, whilst a reference to Geoffroy’s figure clearly shows the
latter to be identical with Vaiilant’s S. guentherv.
* See note under S. batensoda, p. 382.
386 SILURIDZA,
12. CHILOGLANIS.
Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. 1868, p. 599 ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vi. 1900, p. 521,
Body moderately elongate, feebly depressed or feebly compressed. Anterior dorsal
fin entirely in advance of the ventral fins, formed of a spine and 5 to 7 branched rays;
an adipose fin opposed to the anal. Pectoral fin with a strong spine; ventral fin with
7 rays. A cephalo-nuchal bony shield. Mouth small, inferior, surrounded by a very
large, circular, papillose lip, with four barbels in its lower part ; conical teeth on the
premaxillaries and on the vomer; movable, slender, curved teeth in the lower jaw ;
a maxillary barbel. Nostrils rather remote from each other, both with a valve, the
anterior tubular. Hye small, without free border. Gill-openings short, confined to the
sides. Air-bladder small, partially enclosed on each side between the enlarged
processes of the anterior vertebre.
The skeleton is similar to that of Synodontis. 35 vertebre (15+20) in Chiloglanis
niloticus.
SIx species are distinguished: three from Kast Africa (0. deckenii, Peters,
C. modjensis, Blgr., and C. brevibarbis, Blgr.), two from South Cameroon (C. came-
ronensis, Blgr., C. batesti, Blgr.), and one from the Upper Nile.
1. CHILOGLANIS NILOTICUS.
(Plate LX XVI. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vi. 1900, p. 522.
Body not or but slightly compressed, its depth four to four and a half times in the
total length. Head smooth, strongly depressed, a little longer than broad, its length
three to three anda half times in the total length. Snout broadly rounded ; eye
directed upwards, in the second half of the head, its diameter six times in the length
of the head, about once and a half in the width of the interorbital region, which
is much greater than the distance between the posterior nostril and the eye.
Premaxillary teeth in two large oval groups, narrowly separated from each other ;
mandibular teeth very small, 6 to 11 in number. Maxillary barbel about one-third
the length of the head, longer than the barbels on the lower lip. Occipito-nuchal
shield narrow. Dorsal fin with I 6 or 7 rays, the spine not distinctly serrated, about
two-fiiths the length of the head. Adipose dorsal fin low, as long as or a little shorter
CHILOGLANIS. 387
than its distance from the rayed dorsal. Anal fin with 10 or 11 rays, 7 or 8 of which
are branched. Pectoral spine not serrated, about three-fifths the length of the head.
Ventral fin midway between the eye or the root of the pectoral fin and the root of the
caudal, extending to the origin of the anal or a little beyond. Caudal fin deeply
forked, the lobes pointed. Caudal peduncle about twice as long as deep.
Body pale greyish olive above, with four broad cross-bands of dark olive speckled
with blackish, broader than the interspaces between them; head dark olive above ;
lower parts white or yellowish; rayed fins greyish, the caudal with a horizontal
blackish bar on each lobe, the end of which is pale yellow (according to sketches made
by Mr. Loat); adipose fin yellowish; iris yellowish or greyish.
Measurements (in milimetres).
Total length ed, 45
x » (without caudal) Al
Greatest depth 10
Length of head 12
Width of head 10
Length of snout . 6
Diameter of eye . 2
Interorbital width 5)
Width of mouth . 4
Length of dorsal spiue . 5
Basal length of dorsal fin . D
3 = adipose fin J
Length of pectoral spine . 7
Thirteen specimens were obtained by Mr. Loat in the Nile, at the island of Arko,
Soudan, on April 29th and May oth, 1900. A single specimen had been previously
obtained at Wady Halfa, February 22nd, 1900.
Some of the Arko specimens were distended with ripe eggs of remarkably large size,
measuring neatly 2 millimetres in diameter.
By having 6 or 7 branched rays in the dorsal fin C. niloticus is easily distinguished
from its congeners.
ey)
S
Les)
388 SILURIDZ.
13. MOCHOCUS.
Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv.; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 217 (1864) ; Boulenger, Ann. & Mag.
Ne) ae 1900 0.025,
Rlanoglanis, Giinther, t. c. p. 216.
Body moderately elongate, slightly compressed. Anterior dorsal fin ending over the
ventrals, formed of a strong spine and 6 to 8 branched rays; a second dorsal, formed
of soft rays *, above the short anal fin. Pectoral fin with a strong spine; ventral fin
with 7 rays. A cephalo-nuchal bony shield. Mouth subinferior, small, without labial
folds ; small conical teeth in both jaws, none on the palate. A maxillary and two
mandibular barbels on each side, the latter branched. Nostrils rather remote from
each other, both with a valve, the posterior very large. Eye moderate, without free
border. Giull-openings small, confined to the side. Air-bladder large, free.
The skeleton is very similar to that of Synodontis. The nuchal shield is formed
of two transverse bones, with a small one on each side of the base of the dorsal fin.
The vertebree number 34 (11-+-23) in MZ. niloticus, 33 (11422) in MW, brevis.
This genus is represented by two species, both inhabiting the Nile, which may
easily be distinguished by the following characters :—
M. niloticus. First dorsal fin much nearer the end of the snout than the root of the
caudal fin, with the spine serrated in front and 7 or 8 soft rays.
M. brevis. First dorsal fin nearly equally distant from the end of the snout and from
the root of the caudal fin, with the spine smooth in front and with 6 soft rays.
1. MOCHOCUS NILOTICUS.
(Plate LX XVI. fig. 2.)
Joannis, |. c. pl. viii. ; Gunther, 1. - and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 239 (1869); Boulenger, l. c.
Rhinoglanis typus, Giinther, ll. ce. pp. 216, fig., and 237, fig.
Rhinoglanis vannutellu, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, (2) xix. 1898, p. 254.
Depth of body four and one-third to five and two-thirds times in the total length,
length of head three and one-third to four and a half times. Head depressed, not or
but little longer than broad, rugose above, with a large, oval frontal fontanelle ; occiput
with a low, blunt keel, which is continued on the nuchal shield; eye supero-lateral,
three to four and a half times in the length of the head, once and one-third to once
* This second dorsal fin corresponds to the adipose fin of most Siluride; the rays are true articulated
rays, but, as in Clarotes, they are devoid of endoskeletal supports.
MOCHOCUS. 389
and a half in the interorbital width. Barbels long and slender, the maxillary once and
a half to twice and one-fourth as long as the head, reaching the posterior third of the
pectoral spine, the base of the ventral, or a little beyond; mandibular barbels shorter,
with a few slender simple branches. Occipito-nuchal shield as long as broad or longer
than broad, with short, rounded posterior processes. A long pointed humeral process.
Anterior dorsal fin with I 7 (rarely 8) rays, much nearer the end of the snout than the
root of the caudal fin; the spine as long as or a little shorter than the head, finely
serrated in front; second dorsal fin with 10 to 15 rays, preceded by a few fulcra-like
bony scutes, as long as or a little longer than its distance from the first. <A series of
three or four small bony scutes, ankylosed to the interneural bones, on each side of the
soft part of the first dorsal fin. Anal fin with 9 or 10 rays. Pectoral spine as long as
or a little longer than that of the dorsal, finely serrated on its outer border, with 7
(young) to 14 very strong antrose serre on its inner border, reaching the base of the
ventral fin or not quite so far. Ventral fin equally distant from the end of the snout
and from the root of the caudal fin, or a little nearer the former, not reaching the anal.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2. 3. 4 5
| S Se eee see gat
Potak length ‘Cwithout-cauda bw ee fe ees 0 Bee aes 58 52 43 31 24
Greatest depth 24 fy ees Se. Ge I 12 12 9 6 5
Levigilt of etd spe cg oes ee is Fe en ee 13 13 a8 8 7
Width ct heat 5 = Se ee a ee ee ee eee 2 he 12 10 62 6
Luength: Of snot. Sia che ae eee ea ere ee ee 5 5 4 21 D)
Diapacher of mye’ gas: ete ae a oe re ee ee eee 5 3 3 9 12
Tnterorbitar With: ie ee aes Be a eee 4 44 4 3 9
Width:..Of Mouth = scrote se eee eee ee 4 33 a 3 2
Mazxillawy: bathels Dati oi casas os ponte qa ean ey de eee 27 26 25 16 10
Putercmandibular harbelst cy a oes & ed Re er eee 16 14 16 10 6
Fanet spancdialin “borne! 2.5 on. oiteq des aa rice Mee toe en 10 9 10 8 4
Leneth ef dora): ste... teoa a eae eae et ee 12 11 10 8 5
‘3 pSCKItAL AIMS cy . op chiearennt wen Soe eek oa 13 13 11 8 54
1,5. Luxor.—Loat. 3. L. No.—Loat.
2. Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat. 4. Gondokoro.—Petherick. (Type of A. typus.)
390 SILURIDA.
Caudal fin deeply emarginate, upper lobe the longer. Caudal peduncle nearly twice as
long as deep.
_ Pale yellowish or greyish olive above, speckled and marbled with blackish; two more
or less regular dark bands across the back, one under each of the dorsal fins ; belly
white; dorsal and caudal fins yellowish, dotted or spotted with blackish; iris bronzy
brown.
Total length 65 millimetres.
This remarkable little Silurid inhabits the Nile, from Beni Souef to Gondokoro, and
Lake Rudolf. It was first discovered at Luxor by de Joannis, but the figures given
by him are very incorrect, as may be inferred from the discrepancies between them *.
I have examined the following specimens :—
3 Beni Souef.—Loat, 31.8.99.
31 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
45 Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
6 Assuan.—Loat, 15-30.9.00.
3 Kaka, White Nile, in a kore.—Loat, 18.4.01.
1 Tonga.—Loat, 25.1.01.
4 Lake No.—Loat, 7.2.01.
1 Gondokoro.—Petherick, 1862. (Type of Rhinoglanis typus.)
9 Gondokoro.—Louat, 20.1-22.2.02. |
Also the types of Rhinoglanis vannutellii, from Lake Rudolf, preserved in the Genoa
Museum.
2. MOCHOCUS BREVIS.
(Plate LXXVI. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xviii. 1906, p. 148.
Easily distinguished from the preceding by the shorter caudal part of the body, the
first dorsal fin being equally distant from the end of the snout and from the root of the
caudal, or a little nearer the former. Depth of body three and a half to four and one-
third times in the total length, length of head three to three and a half times. Occiput
and nuchal shield shghtly tectiform, but without a keel. Maxillary barbel reaching the
extremity of the ventral fin or a little beyond. First dorsal fin with I 6 rays, the spine
without any serration and always shorter than the head; second dorsal fin with 9 to
17 rays; anal fin with 9 or 10 rays. No scutes at the sides of the soft rays of the first
dorsal fin. Pectoral spine reaching the root of the ventral fin, with 6 to 10 very strong
serree on the inner side. Caudal peduncle only a little longer than deep.
* The types do not appear to have been preserved.
MOCHOCUS. Sol
Coloration as in M. niloticus, but pectoral, ventral, and anal fins often with some
brown spots.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Lotal lengths: 36 oes Se eae eee ee ok
cs 5. (without caudal)< 3. Gas eo eee a
Greatest depth . BE er ee eee See 6
Them eth oneal ee 8
Width of head i
Length: Gh anoutes> Je esi (ee Stee 2h eee See 24
Diameter ot.eye. in. aes Soo et ee ae oe 2
Jntérorh tial wads les: oe es rae Sree ee 3
Wild blsor Mitomniies eet a ees ee ee 24
Magllory Wank ge 5 12 oe A oa ee ee eee ee
Quher mane omiat Ware. oe ee er ee a ees )
Hier moinarewlor verbel <5. eee ee 6
Bonothor-doneumre e400 oe ee ee 6
43 pectoral spine . (i
Forty-two specimens were obtained in a kore at Fashoda by Mr. Loat, March 1d-16,
1901; also one specimen at Lake No, 7.2.01.
392 SILURIDZ.
14, ANDERSONIA.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vi. 1900, p. 528.
Slatinza, Werner, Anz. Ak. Wien, 1906, p. 326.
Body elongate, depressed, with extremely slender caudal peduncle; a series of
imbricate bony scutes along each side of the back and belly from the dorsal and
ventral fins to the caudal peduncle, which is entirely surrounded by them. Two
short dorsal fins, the first above the ventrals and formed of a spine and six branched
rays, the second opposed to the anal and formed of fine soft rays preceded by a short
spine. Pectoral fin with a strong spine; ventral fin with 6 rays. No cephalo-nuchal
shield. Mouth small, inferior, toothless; lips not much developed. A maxillary and
two mandibular barbels on each side *. Nostrils rather remote from each other, both
with a valve. Lye small, without free border. Gill-openings narrowly interrupted
at the isthmus. |
Most nearly allied to Phractura, Blgr., from which it is well distinguished by the
position of the anterior dorsal fin, the presence of a spine in front of each of the dorsal
fins, and the total absence of teeth.
his -genus, named in memory of Dr. John Anderson, is represented by a
single species.
1. ANDERSONIA LEPTURA.
(Plate LXXVI. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, t.c. p. 529.
Slatinia mongallensis, Werner, t.c. p. 327.
Depth of body nine or ten times in the total length, length of head five to five and
three-fourths times. Head once and one-third as long as broad, rugose above; an
oval frontal fontanelle, with a ridge on each side of it, which is continued to the base
of the occipital process; snout obtusely pointed, a little shorter than the postocular
part of the head, twice and one-third as long as the diameter of the eye, which is half
the interorbital width. Barbels slender, the maxillary twice as long as the inner
mandibular and half the length of the head, the outer mandibular intermediate in
length. Occipital process keeled, twice and a half as long as broad, widely separated
from the interneural shield; a shorter process on each side of the occipital process.
* T regret having overlooked the inner mandibular barbel in drawing up my original definition of the
genus, as it has led Dr. Werner to propose the genus Slatinta, which cannot be maintained.
9
ANDERSONIA. a93
First dorsal fin with I 6 rays, twice as distant from the root of caudal fin as from the
end of the snout, the first ray as long as the head, bony in its basal two-thirds, not
serrated. Anal fin with 10 rays. Pectoral fin three-fourths the length of the head,
not reaching the ventral; the spine moderately strong, covered with minute asperities.
Caudal fin with crescentic notch. Caudal peduncle depressed, one-third of the total
length. 25 dorsal and 23 ventral scutes, the last 9 on the caudal peduncle; the dorsal
scutes raised in a sharp keel on the outer border.
Greyish above, dotted and marbled with blackish, white beneath; four rather
indistinct dark bars across the back.
Measurements (in millimetres).
On
aD)
Total length . Henk
é 5 (without caudal)
Greatest depth .
Length of head .
Width of head .
Length of snout
Hs
Oe
Diameter of eye
Interorbital width .
Width of mouth
Maxillary barbel
Outer mandibular barbel.
Inner mandibular barbel .
Length of first dorsal ray
TDW CO FE bP WH KH &L D ®W
3 pectoral fin.
A single specimen was found by Mr. Loat in a small pond left by the receding
Nile near Kosheh, Nubia (south of Wady Halfa), on March 14th, 1900. It remained
unique until rediscovered by Dr. F. Werner at Mongalla, Bahr-el-Gebel, in March
1905. By the courtesy of Dr. Werner, I have been able to compare one of the types
of Slatinia mongallensis with the type of Andersonia leptura.
3E
394 SILURIDZ.
15. MALOPTERURUS.
Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 90 (1803) *; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 219 (1864) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 336 (1901).
Body moderately elongate, cylindrical or a little depressed. No rayed dorsal fin;
an adipose dorsal fin. Anal fin short. Pectoral fin without spinous ray. Ventral fin
with 6 rays. ‘Three pairs of barbels: maxillary and two mandibular. Eye lateral,
without free border. Hach jaw with a band of villiform teeth; palate toothless. Gill-
opening short, restricted to the side. Air-bladder very large, free, extending to the
origin of the caudal region, divided into two by a constriction. An electric organ
extending over the whole body, from the head to the origin of the adipose and
anal fins.
A single species, inhabiting the greater part of Tropical Africa and the Nile.
The skull is entirely concealed under the thick skin; it is much flattened and
remarkable for the extreme narrowness, in front, of the frontal bone, which is single.
The branchiostegal rays number 8. Vertebre 41 to 44 (20-22-+421-22). The neural
spines are low on the pracaudal region. MHyrtl has discovered a rudimentary inter-
spinous bone resting on the first neural spine. The pectoral area is not so firmly
attached to the skull as in other Silurids.
The electric organ differs essentially from that of other fishes provided with such
batteries, being part of the integumentary system instead of being derived from the
muscles. It consists of rhomboidal ceils of a fine gelatinous substance immediately
under the skin, which is villose, like velvet or felt. It is controlled by a single
ganglionic cell at the anterior extremity of the spinal cord. Contrary to what takes
place in other electric fishes, the current proceeds from the head to the tail.
So numerous have the accounts been of the physiological experiments upon this
wonderful fish that I must content myself with referring the reader to the very full
bibliographical index in Ballowitz’s recent work mentioned in the synonymy 7.
* Spelt Malapterurus. But this orthography should be rectified, since the name is formed of padés,
soft ; mrepov, fin; and oipa, tail: therefore we can write Malopterurus or Malacopterurus, but not
Malapterurus.
7 See also references in Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 340.
MALOPTERURUS. 395
1. MALOPTERURUS ELECTRICUS.
(Plates LXXVIIL. & LXXVIIL)
Raja torpedo, Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 15 (1775).
Le Trembleur, Broussonet, Mém. Ac. Sci. 1782, p. 692, pl. xvi. (1785).
Silurus electricus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 1351 (1789).
Malapterurus electricus, Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 91 (1803) ; I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss.
p. 291, pl. xii. (1827) ; Joannis, Mag. Zool. 1835, iv. pl. i.; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist.
Poiss. xv. p. 518, pl. eccclv. (1840) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 219 (1864); Peters, Mon.
Berl. Ac. 1868, p. 121, and Reise n. Mossamb. iv. p. 41 (1868) ; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav.
ii. p. 240 (1869); G. Fritsch, Elektr. Fische, i. (1887); Ballowitz, Elekt. Org. Afr.
Zitterwels. (1899) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 338, pl. xvi. fig. 2 (1901).
Rahad, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. exci. (1835).
Malapterurus beninensis, And. Murray, Edinb. New Philos. Journ. (2) u. 1855, p. 49, pl. ii.;
Giinther, Cat. Fish. v. p. 220; Lénnberg, Ofv. Vet.-Ak. Forh. Stockh. 1895, p. 187.
Malapterurus affinis, Gimther, |. ¢.
Malapterurus electricus, var ogoensis, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) i. 1878, p. 99, and N. Arch.
Mus. (2) iii. 1880, p. 45, pl. 1. fig. 3.
Depth of body four to five and a half times in the total length, length of head four
to five times; back flattened, sometimes ‘feebly srooved along the spine. Head
as long as broad or a little longer than broad; snout rounded, about half the length
of the head; lower jaw sometimes slightly projecting; eye very small, lateral, its
diameter six (young) to fifteen times in the length of the head; interocular region
half (young) to three-fourths the length of the head; maxillary barbel one-third
to four-fifths the length of the head; outer mandibular barbel longer, often reaching
the root of the pectoral fin‘or a little beyond. Adipose dorsal fin low, three to five
times as long as deep, narrowly separated from the caudal fin. Anal fin with 9 to
13 rays, 6 to 10 of which are branched. Pectoral fin rounded, half to three-fifths
the length of the head, as long as or a little longer than the ventral fin, which is
inserted midway between the eye or the gill-opening and the root of the caudal fin,
a little nearer the latter. Caudal fin rounded.
Grey, brown, or bluish above, white beneath, usually dotted, spotted, or blotched
with black, the Nile specimens usually largely blotched with black; caudal fin darker
behind, more or less broadly bordered with orange or red; the anal also bordered with
orange or red; pectoral and ventral fins yellowish, reddish, or bright red. The young
have a light ring round the caudal peduncle, a black bar at the base of the caudal fin
and a crescentic black band on the posterior half of the fin.
The largest specimen from the Nile examined by me measures 470 millimetres;
3EQ
(‘sesuauruag “pe yo oddT,)
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“UOST[I[— "PIP IOSINT *g
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396
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ns finer Mies Be 0 [etojoed Fo y4sue'yT
SoG. CaO. Ceo yo RameeC uy osodipe jo yydoq
Cr ug esodipe jo y4ysue'T
eer es? TOG IEG MeN ECUL LOU LEP
Froese ss TedIVd TUNGIPUBUL 1EING
oc reece ee ee wet eoe ee oe Joqueq Arey IxeyL
ach wap rote o lve opie tines @fser.e 6 /elllelrsltente yqnowl Jo IPI
aa Ayee site en eta ehreliieittet coske YIP [eqiq.10.1904 Uy]
ay cuoatied olasureta on artist cole dPele eines « ofa JO LeqouViqy
ecereer eee ee ee ee o @ qnous jo y4suer]
an ops Capuano achntiey ah eps TE os rests pvoy Jo UIPIM.
"** prey Jo yycuory
CUES crete. ces rrrtecesss uidep qsaqzverg
seseees (7epned qnoyqim) YyycUeT [BIO],
MALOPTERUROS. O97
R. Hartmann * procured one near Assuan in 1860 which measured 2 German feet
(630 millim.); and in the Congo the species attains a length of 850 millim.
The Electric Cat-fish has a wide distribution in Africa, extending from the Nile to
the Zambesi and from the Senegal to the Congo. Itis, however, absent from most
of the rivers of East Africa and it has not been found in Lake Victoria.
List of specimens examined :-—
1 Egypt.—Riippell, 1832.
6 Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 28-30.7.99.
1 Barrage N. of Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 1903.
1 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 16.6.00.
1 Nile near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 1905,
2 Beni Souef.—Loat, 14—20.8.99.
2 Lahun, Bahr Yusuf, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
16 At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 8.10-12.11.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 30.8-11.9.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1861.
Rosaires, Blue Nile-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Sennar.—Loat, 22.10.01.
Fashoda.—Loat, 14-31.3.01.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 15.2.01, 4.3.01.
McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
Gambia.—Capt. Vipan, 1905.
R. Offin, Gold Coast.—R. B. N. Walker, 1902.
Lagos.—Sir A. Moloney, 1891.
Benin R.—Mrs. Burton.
Niger.— Dalton, 1863.
Niger—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Sapelle, 8. Nigeria—Dr. Ansorge, 1900.
Sapelle, 8. Nigeria— Hamlyn, 1904.
OW em eR &
Ossomari, 8. Nigeria. —Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Agberi, 8. Nigeria.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Niger Delta.—A. Millson, 1894.
Creek Town, Old Calabar.—Rev. H. M. Waddell, 1855. (Types of MV. beninensis. )
Old Calabar. :
Old Calabar.—Carruthers, 1859. } cones of Mt ier
Qld Calabar.—Miss Kingsley, 1894.
Old Calabar.—Jackson, 1905.
Fernando Po.—Seimund, 1904.
Kribi R., 8. Cameroon.—Bates, 1903.
Benito R., Spanish Guinea.—Bates, 1901.
ee US
We Oe tee be
* Arch, f, Anat. u. Physiol. 1861, p. 661.
398 SILURID.
1 Gaboon.—Higgins, 1867.
1 Gaboon.— 1888.
1 Ogowe.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
lL West Africa.—D. W. Mitchell, 1852.
3 West Africa.—A. Murray, 1866.
1 Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1899.
1 New Antwerp, Upper Congo.—Capt. Wilverth, 1897.
1 Lake Tanganyika.—Moore, 1896.
L
1
if
Albertville, L. Tanganyika.—Capt. Heeq, 1899.
Kalambo, L. Tanganyika.—Moore, 1899.
Nyamkolo, L. Tanganyika.— Dr. Cunnington, 1903.
I entirely agree with the opinion expressed by Peters in 1868, as to the value of the
characters put forward to distinguish several species of Malopterurus. ‘The usual
number of anal rays in Nile specimens is 11 or 12, but it may fall to 10. The young
specimens from Old Calabar which have been distinguished as MZ. beninensis and
M. affinis have only 9 or 10 anal rays, but other West-African specimens which, to
my eye, are undistinguishable from them, have the higher number which prevails
in the Nile.
Well-known to the ancient Egyptians, who have depicted it on their mural
paintings * and elsewhere 7, and to the Arabs under the suggestive names of Raad or
ftaash, which means “thunder,” the Electric Cat-fish was first scientifically described in
Forskal’s work on the animals of Egypt as Raja torpedo. This name was used by
Forskal through some confusion with the true Torpedo of the ancients, the Electric
Ray, whilst recognising, however, thatit could not remain associated with the Rays
and suggesting the establishment for it of a genus, without, in my opinion, proposing
Torpedo as the generic name, which American authors, following the lead of
Dr. Theo. Gill $, now wish to substitute for Malopterurus. ‘he first accurate figure
of the fish was given soon after by Broussonet.
But long before this, more or less accurate accounts of the fish's electric properties
nad appeared. As early as the XIIth century, an Arab physician, Abd-Allatif, thus
described them in an account of a voyage to Egypt § :—
‘“¢ Nous ne devons pas omettre parmi les animaux propres a Egypte le poisson connu
sous le nom de Radda, parce que l’on ne peut le toucher, quand il est vivant, sans
éprouver un tremblement auquel il est impossible de résister; c'est un tremblement
accumpagné de froid, d’une torpeur excessive, d'une fornication dans les membres, et
* Lt appears in a fishing-scene in the tomb of Ti, at Sakkara (unpublished photograph in the collection
of Prof. Flinders Petrie) ; also in the great fishing-scene of Giza (cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pl. ix.).
+ Represented on the great slate palette of Narmur (cf. Quibell, Hierakopolis, &. pl. xxix.).
+t Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. 1895, p. 161, and xxvi. 1903, p. 697.
§ Translation by Sylvestre de Sacy, quoted by Ballowitz.
MALOPTERURUWS. 399
d'une pesanteur telle, que l’on ne peut ni le retenir, ni tenir quoique ce soit.
L’engourdissement se communique au bras, puis a l’épaule, puis gagne tout ce coté,
pour peu quon touche ce poisson, si léger et si court que soit l’attouchement. Un
pécheur, qui avait péché le radda, m’a assuré que quand ce poisson était dans le filet,
ce méme effet se faisait sentir au pécheur, sans que se main touchat le poisson et méme
a une distance de plus dun empan. Quand le radda est mort, il perd cette vertu.”
In Purchas, ‘His Pilgrimes, published in 1625, two notices appear which I here
quote from Gill :— .
‘In the seventh booke Abyssinia, called then Abassia, is described, and a notice of
Abassine animals is given (p. 1183).
“In thefe Riuers and Lakes is alfo found the Torpedo, which if any man hold in his hand, if it
{tirre not, it doth produce no effect: but if it moue it felfe neuer fo little, it fo tormenteth the body
of him which holds it, that his Arteries, Joints, Sinewes, & all his Members feele exceeding paine
with a certaine numbneffe ; and as foone as it is let go out of the hand, all that paine and numbneffe
is alfo gone. The Superlftitious Abaffines beleeue that it is good to expell Deuils out of humane
bodies, as if it did torment Spirits no leffe than men. They fay, if one of thefe aliue bee laid
amongitt dead Vifhes, if it there ftirre it felfe, it makes thofe which it toucheth to {tirre as if they
were alive. There is great {tore of this kind in Nélus, in the furtheft parts of Groyama, where there
is a Meere or Fenne without bottome, welling and admirably boyling forth waters continually,
whence Vilus {pringeth.
‘In the twelfth booke, in which the present country of Mozambique is described
(p. lo40), the Torpedo is named in the margin, and the following notice of it
appears :
“In the Riuer of Sofala is {tore of Fith fat and sauorie, as Mullets, Needles, Dolphins, &e. One
ftrange fifh in qualitie is common in thofe Riuers, which the Portugals call Tremedor, and the
Cafres, Thinta, of fuch nature that no man can take it in his hand while it is alive, for it filleth the
hand and arm with paine, as if every ioint would go afunder ; but being dead is as another fifh, and
much efteemed for good meate. The Naturals fay, that the skin of this fifh is vfed to forceries. It
is medicinable againft the Cholick, rofted and ground to powder and drunke in Wine. The biggeft
of them is two fpannes and halfe long, the skin blackifh, rough and thick.”
Placed in an aquarium, however spacious, with other fishes, even of the same species,
the Malopterurus usually kills its companions, and I have seen a large Protopterus
killed by one shock. ‘There are, however, exceptions. In one of the tanks of the
Gezira aquarium, which contains about one cubic metre of water, besides two
Malopterurit were kept several Boltis (Zilapia nilotica), and neither species of fish
appeared to in any way interfere with the other *,
* S. Flower, Rep. Zool. Gard. Giza for 1904, p. 27.
400 SILURIDZ.
Stirling * has observed on a specimen kept with a Clarias in an aquarium, that the
Malopterurus procured food by giving shocks to his companion, and eating the partially
digested earthworms which the shock made him vomit, whilst he would refuse live
worms. ‘he observer came to the conclusion that this was his natural way of procuring
food.
On the whole, it is probable that Malopterurus feeds chiefly on decomposing animal
and vegetable matter.
The mode of reproduction of Malopterurus is still unknown. Eggs ready to be
deposited measure about 2 millimetres in diameter. According to Nile fishermen, the
fish is in the habit of sheltering its young in its mouth.
Malopterurus electricus does not seem to be very common anywhere in the Nile,
but appears to be generally distributed from its mouth to the Blue Nile and the Bahr-
el-Gebel. Dr. J. C. Mitchell 7 has observed it in the canals leading to Lake Menzaleh,
but it avoids salt water. He informs us that the electric subcutaneous tissue which
envelops the whole body is used in native pharmacy in affections of the respiratory
organs. ‘‘ The electric tissue is cut out and dried, and the patient to be treated is
made to inhale the fumes arising from it roasted on a charcoal fire. This belief is
universal throughout Egypt, and it is strange that the torpedo fish of the Red Sea and
Mediterranean, which rejoices in the same name, should be used for a like purpose.”
Native names as recorded by Mr. Loat :—‘ Ra’ash” (_,le y), at Kafr-el-Zayat, Cairo,
Samannud, Barrage N. of Cairo, Beni Souef; “ra’ad” (olc,), at Assiut (at Cairo and
the Barrage N. of Cairo this name is also used for this species: sometimes the word
“aboo” is placed in front of “ra’ash” and “raad”); “tunga” (es,3), in Nubia;
“berrader” ($0\,2), at Omdurman.
* Journ. Anat. & Physiol. xiii. 1879, p. 350.
Tt Rep. Edible Fish. L. Menzaleh, 1895, p. 14.
ANGUILLA. AQL-
APODES.
ANGUILLID.
Maxillary bones present, separated on the median line by the ethmo-vomer; palato-
pterygoid bone present, connected with the hyomandibular and quadrate ; gill-openings
separate, opening into the pharynx by wide slits; tongue present; vent far removed
from the head.
The Eels are spread over all the seas of the temperate and tropical zones, often
descending to great depths, a few entering fresh waters; one of these is represented
in the Nile.
1. ANGUILLA.
Shaw, Gen. Zool. iv. p. 15 (1804) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. viii. p. 23 (1870).
Body much elongate, serpentiform, with minute scales imbedded in the skin, arranged
in small groups placed obliquely at right angles to one another. Pectoral fins well
developed ; dorsal and anal fins very long, united at the end of the tail, the former
originating at a great distance from the occiput. Mouth large, with more or less
developed lips; jaws and palate with bands of small pointed teeth; nostrils widely
separated from each other, the anterior tubular and at the tip of the snout, the posterior
slit-like and close to the eye. Gill-openings small, crescentic, close to the base of the
pectoral fins.
The true Eels breed in the sea and undergo very marked metamorphoses; the larve,
hyaline and compressed, have long been known as problematic fishes under the name
of Leptocephalus *.
* A nominal genus including larval forms of various Apodes. The larva of the Common Eel has been
described under the name of Leptocephalus brevirostris, Kaup.
402 ANGUILLID.
1. ANGUILLA VULGARIS.
Murena anguilla, Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 426 (1766).
Anguilla vulgaris, Turton, Brit. Faun. p. 87 (1807) ; Giinther, Petherick’s Tray. ii. p. 266 (1869).
Anguilla acutirostris, Risso, Hist. Nat. Eur. Mér. iii. p. 198 (1826); Riippell, N. Nachtr. Fische
Nil, p. 26 (1835).
Anguilla latirostris, Risso, op. cit. p. 199 ; Giinther, 1. ¢., and Cat. Fish. viii. p. 32 (1870).
Taban, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pls. xviii. & cxcii. (1830).
Anguilla nilotica, Heckel, Russegger’s Reise Egypt. iii. p. 313 (1849); Kaup, Cat. Apod. Fish.
p. 40 (1856).
Anguilla egyptiaca, Kaup, 1. ¢.
The Eel of the Mediterranean, which is the same as that of the Atlantic coasts of
Europe and the rivers emptying into the Mediterranean and Atlantic, is too well
known to require description. I have therefore restricted myself to quoting the
authorities for the names bestowed on the Eel of Egypt, and giving a table of
measurements which will show the variation in the proportions to be quite as great as
in other parts of the world. Some have pointed snouts, others have blunt snouts, and
the size of the eye differs much even if specimens of the same size be compared. In
Egypt as elsewhere, specimens in their breeding-dress, so-called “ Silver Eels,” occur
in fresh water before going to the sea; they are distinguished by the absence of yellow
colour on the sides, which are silvery, the lower parts being of a pure white; the
pectoral fin, which is more pointed, is more pigmented than in the “ Yellow Eels,” and
the eye is much larger. Measurements of such a specimen, taken in Lake Menzaleh
in June, are given in column 3 of the table.
The sexes cannot be distinguished except by an inspection of the genital glands,
which are very elongate and have the appearance of frilled bands in the female and of
a row of rounded lobes in the males. But, from the investigations of Petersen and
others, it may be taken as an established fact that males do not exceed a length of
500 millimetres, whilst no female under 400 millimetres has ever been found to be
sexually mature. ‘he Common Eel attains a length of over 1 metre, but the largest
Egyptian specimen examined by me measures only 690 millimetres.
Male Eels are much scarcer than females, especially at a great distance from
the sea.
Heckel has endeavoured to justify the separation of the Nile Kel from the European
species on the ground of its having a longer mouth with larger teeth, two characters
which are found to be equally variable when a large series, from any locality, is
available for comparison. As regards the Egyptian specimens, I may state that the
length of the mouth, whether three or four times in the length of the head to the
gill-opening, is an unreliable character; although the cleft of the mouth usually
403
ANGUILLA.
— 4ROrT—"eEYS “F a
‘qeorT—"BIBSSeN-[9-J94{) “91-6 "qwoy—'yolezuey "T 9 ‘e Mi
‘qeorT—uenssy *L "qVOTT—"O1TD “I “PT YVIVAA *Z
"yvorT—fonog Tueg “g “G "yvoT—‘ollwg “T
oer ie Iho geal Ch hein! Gi Seem Ge GocnOG| GG Oey ene ak te WA ee as’ eee pynogoed: Jo TySueTy
g | qt) 21112) 46 | og} ve | or | T¢ | 09 | €¢ | TL | 88 | G6 | GOT] F6 °° ** UY [eUe Jo UIdr0 pue uy [estop Jo UIsII0 UodAyoq eoUIsICT
oc | tr | 9t | gt | ee) 6s | ee | oF | TS | 0¢ | 9G | G4] 08 | GB] eh | awl ts Bormedo-y[18 07 ynous Jo pue morg
ee Peas i ee ee) g fa hia atl enl ar er | cree ee oe ppp aemoorony
Tie ie Boe e Pet ey @ Te. 1-9 Pe Fe eo” Me tah ae eg: |r Rie telat Ree rr errata Sata #4 Ves oe gi i: aca amrungy
pe eo a gel or eer a ers ean er atone gl ganas
pt ora ge ge ict egeraml or jars: og (ao tec:| Ba ioe | me he ange rh ee 4 pen ete
oi Vay el tad wey ed Gas | Ges) Se eee) te |) Cre Ley [ogee ite cers Gndinae op pao ye WeueT
oz | ez | ze | ae | ze | e9 | 82.) 96 | OTT] satl AGT] SST] SST] SSL) GOS] GAT ttt Uy yesiop jo upsio
ie) ae | se} ao | gy | 16-1 Boll EST] O91 SLT) Zoe! wes OLS) OLE OOS) Ges ter ques 09. ygetery
ot | 06 | ost setl ogi! ozel oLe| ozg| o2el ocr O6F| Sze 009| Geo] Gog] OBO) TTT TTT ttre esses sss gysmey [BIOL
fen Creer ei Sie (Oh ie te Lee eee | ie pat
‘(SoTJOUITT[IW UI) spUaWaInsDayT
404 ANGUILLIDA.
extends to below the posterior border of the eye, specimens occur in which it reaches
a little further back, whilst in others it falls below the centre of the eye. Giinther
has given as the chief distinctive character of A. latirostris the shorter interspace
between the origin of the dorsal fin and that of the anal, which in A. vulgaris usually
equals or a little exceeds the distance between the end of the snout and the gill-
opening ; and he points out that a figure (pl. excii.) of an Egyptian Eel in Rifaud’s
work presents this character. I doubt whether reliance can be placed on the rendering
of such details in any of Rifaud’s figures, and surely I have never seen an example of
Anguilla vulgaris with the two fins originating so near each other; but an inspection
of the annexed table of measurements will show that no great importance can be
attached to the character as defined by Giinther. In an example from England
(Itchen), the first of A. datirostris mentioned in Giinther’s Catalogue, the distance
between the origin of the two vertical fins is 67 millimetres, whilst the length of the
“head ” to the gill-opening is 82.
Anguilla vulgaris is a catadromous fish, compelled to return to the sea at the time of
reproduction, which takes place at great depths in the Mediterranean and the North
Atlantic. Only barren specimens remain throughout their life in fresh water, where
they may grow to an enormous size. The fish is said to die after breeding; at any
rate it does not re-enter fresh waters. ‘The larval form has been described as
Leptocephalus brevirostris, Kaup ; it transforms into what is called the “ Elver,” similar
in general form to the adult but semi-transparent, scaleless, and measuring from 50 to
75 millimetres in length. The minute scales only appear much later, when the fish is
about 200 millimetres long *.
The Elvers ascend rivers in countless myriads, but I am not aware that anything
has been recorded of the phenomenon in Egypt or of the season at which it takes
place. ‘The smallest Egyptian Hel I have seen is 70 millimetres long, and was obtained
at Ghet-el-Nassara on June 10th, 1899.
The following is a list of the Egyptian and Nubian specimens examined :—
Mediterranean Coast of Egypt.—Petherick, 1861.
Lake. Borollos.—Loat, 6.11.99.
Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 16.5.99, 8.6.99.
59 Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 10-11.6.99.
or
* The Hel question embraces an enormous literature. The following publications are specially recom-
mended :—L. Jacony, ‘ Die Aalfrage’ (Berlin, 1880), translated in Rep. U.S. Fish Comm. 1882, p. 463.—
H. ©. Wiuuramson, *‘ On the Reproduction of the Eel,” Rep. Fishery Board Scotl. xii. pt. 3, 1894, p. 192.—
C. G. J. Purursgn, “The Common Eel,” Rep. Dan. Biol. Stat. v. 1896.—G. B. Grasst, “‘ The Reproduction
and Metamorphosis of the Common Eel,” P. R. Soc. lx. 1896, p. 260, and Q. J. Micr. Sci. xxxix. 1896,
p. 371.—C. H. Hiaunmann, “The Solution of the Hel Question,” Tr. Amer. Micr. Soc. xxiv. 1902, p. 5.—
J. Scumuipr, “ Life History of Young Hel,” Med. Kom. Havundersog. 8. Fisk. i. 1905, no. 5.
ANGUILLA. A405
2 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861-1864.
1 Lower Nile.—Harrington and Hunt, 1898.
2 Island of Warak, 2 miles north of Cairo.—Loat, 19-20.3.99.
11 Near Cairo.—Loat, 7.3-6.4.99, 16.6.00.
4 Beni Souef.—Loat, 13-27.8.99.
1 Assuan.—Loat, 12.9.00.
1 Shellal, near Assuan, above the cataract.—Loat, 3.1.00.
1 Korosko.—Loat, 29.1.00.
Fig. 30.
a5 age es Se ee ee ee eee a a ee
& ee
SSS é
_— - =
K Leas i <>) “aS
b
a c
Outline figure of mature Hel, before breeding, from Lake Menzaleh, and upper views of head in the same
specimen (a) and in two from Cairo (@, ¢), to show variation in the form of the head. a, reduced to 2;
6, c, natural size. :
Dr. J. C. Mitchell * says the Kel is found in large numbers at the Gamul entrance
of Lake Menzaleh in the month of December. ‘They are then migrating to the sea to
spawn, and Dr. Mitchell was informed that a month later crowds of young are caught
entering the lake. Mr. Loat found the Eel fairly common in Lakes Menzaleh and
Borollos, where it occurs all the year round, and was informed that it also occurs all
the year round in Lake Mareotis, He did not find it a common fish anywhere in the
Nile, which it ascends as far as the Second Cataract, though between this and the First
it is very scarce.
The following list of native names has been supplied by Mr. Loat :—‘‘ Hannash”
(_sle), on Lake Menzaleh, at Kafr-el-Zayat, on Lake Edkou, Lake Mareotis, and
Lake Borollos ; “ samak taban” or “taban” (Jl Glow), at Cairo (this name is also
used on Lake Edkou, at Rosetta, Beni Souef, in the Fayum); “hie” (ase), at Assiut,
Girga, Nag ’Hamadeh ; “ hie el bahr” (_ysiJ| dye), at Assuan; “ essin karg” (SS wt»),
between Shellal and Korosko; “aman us lun'gegar” (_Seylw\ b)), from Korosko to
Halfa.
* «Report on the Edible Fishes of Lake Menzaleh ’ (Cairo, 1895), p. 14.
406 CYPRINODONTIDEZ.
HAPLOMI.
CYPRINODONTIDZ.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border; teeth in the jaws
and on the pharyngeal bones; pterygo-palatine arch weak or rudimentary ; opercular
bones all well developed. Precaudal vertebre with strong parapophysis, bearing the
ribs ; epipleurals inserted on the ribs. Post-temporal forked. Ventral fins, if present,
with 5 to 7 rays.
Small or very small fishes, mostly confined to fresh or brackish water, In many
species the sexes are dissimilar, the female being larger and less brilliantly coloured,
with smaller fins. Many species are viviparous. From a physiological point of view,
this family may be divided into carnivorous forms witb short digestive tract, and
phytophagous or limnophagous forms, in which the intestine is very long and much
coiled up. All the African genera belong to the former division.
About two hundred and twenty species are known, mostly from the American
continent, only about fifty being known from other parts of the world, viz.: Southern
Europe, Southern Asia, China and Japan, and Africa. Forty species occur in the latter
part of the world, falling into five genera, three of which are represented in the Nile
system, and distinguished as follows :-—
Teeth tricuspid ; dorsal fin originating in advance of the anal . . . . I. Cyprinodon, Lacep.
Teeth conical; dorsal fin originating in advance of or opposite to the
2. Fundulus, Lacep.
origin of the anal ey URN hc a ck PE Aine oe ta Ae
Teeth conical ; dorsal fin originating behind the origin of the anal. . . 3. Haplochilus, McCl.
1. CYPRINODON.
Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 486 (1803) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 301 (1866).
Lebias, Cuvier, Régne Anim. ii. p. 199 (1817),
Aphanius, Nardo, Prodr. Adr. Ichthyol. pp. 17 & 23 (1827).
Micromugil, Gulia, Tent. Ichthyol. Melit. p. 11 (1861).
Mouth small; mandible short, with the bones on each side firmly united; teeth of
moderate size, tricuspid, in a single series. Scalesratherlarge. Dorsal fin originating
in advance of the anal, both fins larger in the males than in the females. Ventral
CYPRINODON. A407
fins present, far behind the base of the pectorals. Intestinal tract but slightly
convoluted. Oviparous.
Fresh and brackish waters of the Mediterranean Basin, South-western Asia, the
South-eastern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. About eighteen species are
known.
1. CYPRINODON FASCIATUS.
(Plate LX XIX. figs. 1 & 2.)
Lebias fasciatus, Valenciennes, in Humboldt & Bonpland, Observ. Zool. ii. p- 160, pl. li. fig. 4
(1821) ; Wagner, Isis, 1828, p. 1055.
Aphanius nanus, Nardo, Prodr. Adr. Ichthyol. pp. 17 & 23 (1827).
Aphanius fasciatus, Nardo, ll. ce.
Lebias lineo-punctata, Wagner, 1. c. pl. xii. figs. 1-6.
Lebias sarda, Wagner, |. c. fig. 7.
Peclia calaritana, Bonelli, in Cuvier, Régne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 280 (1829).
Lebias calaritana, Costa, Faun. Nap., Pesci, ii. p. 33, pl. xvii. fig. 2 (1839) ; Canestrini, Arch. Pp:
la Zool. iv. 1866, p. 125, and Fauna d’Ital., Pesci, p. 19 (1874) ; Lepori, Atti Acc. Rom. (3)
ix. 1881, p. 481; Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. xix. 1895, p. 19.
Lebias flava, Costa, op. cit. p. 35, pl. xvii. fig. 1.
Cyprinodon calaritanus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xviii. p. 151 (1846) ; Bellotti, Mem.
Ace. Torin. xvil. 1858, p. 159 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 302 (1866) ; Gervais, Zool. Pal. Gén,
p. 203, pl. xlv. fig. 5 (1869) ; Playfair & Letourneux, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (4) viii. 1871, p. 389 ;
Sauvage, in Révoil, Faune Pays Gomalis, Cyprinod. p. 6 (1882); Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova,
xx. 1884, p. 441 ; Rolland, Rev. Scientif. (4) 11. 1894, p. 418, figs.
Cyprinodon fasciatus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 156; Martens, Arch. f. Nat. xxiv. 1858,
p. 153, pl. iv. fig. 4 ; Giinther, t. c. p. 303 ; Sauvage, op. cit. p. 8.
Cyprinodon hammonis, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 169; Martens, t.c. p. 155, pl. iv. fig. 5 :
Sauvage, op. cit. p. 10, pl. 11. figs. 3 & 4.
Cyprinodon dispar (non Riippell), Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 474.
Cyprinodon cyanogaster, Guichenot, Rev. & Mag. Zool. (2) xi. 1859, p. 378.
Cyprinodon doliatus, Guichenot, t. c. p. 379.
Depth of body three to four times in the total length, length of head three to three
and three-fourths times. Head flat above; snout very short, squarely truncate, with
the mouth terminal and directed upwards, the lower jaw projecting very slightly ; 12 to
16 teeth in each jaw; diameter of eye three to three and a half times in the length of
the head, interorbital width about twice. Dorsal fin with 10 to 12 (rarely 13) rays,
originating a little in advance of the anal and at nearly equal distance from the eye
and from the root of the caudal fin, the longest rays about half the length of the head
in females, two-thirds to three-fourths in males. Anal fin with 10 to 12 (rarely 9
or 15) rays, similar to the dorsal. Pectoral fin about two-thirds the length of the
408 CYPRINODONTID.
head, much longer than the ventral, which is inserted midway between the end of the
snout and the root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin truncate. Caudal peduncle once and
one-fourth to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales with concentric strie,
29 to 30 (usually 26 to 28) in a longitudinal series, 22 to 26 (26 to 30 in Dalmatian
specimens) round the body in front of the ventral fins; lateral line usually indicated
by an interrupted series of pits.
In life, according to sketches made by Mr. Loat at Ghet-el-Nassara, the upper parts
are of a dark greyish olive, the lower parts white; the fins are white in females, yellow
in males, the dorsal in the latter being bordered with black; a blackish bar sometimes
crosses the caudal fin in males; females have 10 to 15 narrow blackish bars on each
side of the body, not extending to the back or belly, and a more or less distinct round
black spot at the root of the caudal fin; males have broader dark lateral bars, usually
broader than the spaces between them, and they extend downwards to the bases of
the ventral and anal fins, these dark bars varying from grey to black. Iris yellowish
white.
The largest male measures 53 millimetres, the largest female 57.
Measurements (in millimetres).
3 2.
| 1 2 3 4 5. 6 ? 8
- raisins. eet bear Peal ee ies ee ee
: Total length (without caudal) .......... Ae a AO SBR | S80 Gln) 46s-b aes 98
Ppenin et DOdr. 6 Sey ec te ts apa eee ee ee a eg ey
| Renee: Mendes fw. iin ote Rien eS 13 11 10 f] 14 13 12 9
| NVidia bend ne sicea i chni say whee br 8 7 7 6 9 9 8 6
| een gu oh shou <a, Vee ee Cee Oe 4 34 3 24 34 34 34 24
We didlo of aye: os tae Vetere ee Ue ee vay
prnterompiteavidtiss 3). 5) ae scale 6 5 5) Ave: S26 6 6 4
| Longest ray ON ORB IIE it cio occ 13 8 8 5 6 6 6 5
bi a ice, WHA BO ea Se, tae 11 6 8 5 6 5 6 5
| Eeneth or pectonal Gi 05 chee 10 8 7 6 9 Diss 6
| " Ventrariey eA Sass 8 Fe eee 9 6 6 4 6 6 5 =
See aS Ed ae |
1, Susa, Tunisia.—Fraser. 3,7. Near Zara, Dalmatia.—Gavin. 5. Sardinia.
‘2,8. Ghet-el-Nassara.—Loat. 4, IL. Menzaleh.—Loat, - 6. L. Temsah.—Owen.
CYPRINODON. 409
This is a variable and widely distributed species; owing to this, and also to its
strongly marked sexual dimorphism, which has caused it in most instances to receive
two specific names at a time, its synonymy is an extensive one.
The usual number of anal rays is 10 or 11, 12 occurring in about 10 per cent. of the
specimens: the numbers 9 and 13 are exceptional, as I have come across two cases
only of the former, in a female from Sardinia and in a male from Lake Menzaleh, and
one of the latter, in a female from Zara.
In forty-six specimens from Egypt, five have 10 dorsal and 10 anal rays, twenty-one
have 11 dorsal and 11 anal rays, and thirteen have 12 dorsal and 12 anal rays.
10 dorsal and 11 anal rays, 11 d. and 9 a., 11 d. and 10 a., 11 d. and 12 a., and 13 d.
and 11 a. occur once, and 12 dorsal and 11 anal rays occurs twice.
The principal character on which the distinction of C. fasciatus from C. calaritanus
has been based is the presence of only 8 rays in the anal fin of the former, the latter having
10 or 11. Valenciennes’s original description in 1821 ascribes to the fish 8 anal rays,
but the engraved figure which accompanies it shows distinctly 11 rays; in his revised
description in the ‘Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, Valenciennes continues to
ascribe 8 anal rays to the individuals from fresh water at Cagliari which are the types
of his C. fasciatus. HK. von Martens, dealing with specimens from the Venice lagoons,
and Gunther in his Catalogue also regard the § rays as the chief distinctive character
of this species, the latter, however, adding a 9 in parentheses, the single specimen
from Sardinia examined by him having that number. Sauvage also regards 8 anal rays
as the diagnostic character of C. fasciatus. Vinciguerra, who has examined a large
number of specimens from Sardinia and Tunisia, all of which he refers to C. calari-
tanus, has found the number of anal rays to vary from 9 to 12, and this is also the
result of my study of over a hundred examples from various points of the Mediterranean
region. In the absence of any other tangible character by which to separate C. fasciatus
from C. calaritanus, I felt some doubt as to the correctness of the statement of the
authors who have ascribed 8 anal rays to that species. Prof. Vaillant has been so good
as to remove all my doubts on this matter, by informing me that, although the type
specimen of Valenciennes (in Humboldt and Bonpland) is in a bad condition, it shows
distinct traces of 9 anal rays, and that there is no example of a Cyprinodon fasciatus
with 8 anal rays in the Paris Museum.
Originally discovered in Sardinia, in rivulets and salt-water pools near the sea, this
Cyprinodont has been found in succession on the coasts of Istria and Dalmatia, in
South Italy (Taranto, Lecce, Lakes Varano and Salpi), in the lagoons of Venice, in
Algeria both north and south of the Atlas, in Tunisia, in Egypt, in Cyprus, in Asia
Minor, and in Somaliland.
Its distribution in Egypt is confined to Lakes Mareotis and Menzaleh and
neighbouring fresh waters, Lake Temsah south of Suez, and the spring of the oasis of
Shirwah or Jupiter Ammon (C. hammonis, C. & V.).
ra)
ov G
410 CYPRINODONTIDZA.
Mr. Loat obtained numerous specimens in Lake Menzaleh, in shallow water near the
shore, where they are known to the fishermen under the name of Batrich. Curiously,
considering how greatly the males differ from the females in shape and coloration,
the fishermen do not use distinctive names for the two sexes, thus showing sounder
judgment than the earlier systematists who had to deal with these fishes.
List of specimens examined :—
4 Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 7-12.5.99.
Ghet-el-Nassara, near L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 29.4-20.5.99.
Gamel, near L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 28.6.99.
Near Alexandria, in fresh water.—Capt. Flower, 6.7.06.
Lower Egypt.—Dr. J. C. Mitchell, 1895.
L. Temsah, Isthmus of Suez.—Sir R. Owen, 1871.
Susa, Tunisia.—Fraser, 1846.
Algeria.—Sir Lambert Playfair, 1868.
Hot springs of Sidi Ohkbar, Algerian Sahara.—Canon Tristram, 1859.
Wed Rir, Algerian Sahara.—Jus, 1884.
Biskra, Algeria.—Paris Museum. (Types of C. doliatus.)
Biskra, Algeria.—Paris Museum. (Types of C. cyanogaster.)
Sardinia.—Old Collection.
South of Zara, Dalmatia.—D. Gavin, 1899.
Albistan, Asia Minor.—C. G. Danford, 1879.
Cyprus.—H. Rolle, 1895.
6s To)
Coe es a a Soe oe Bo Or SO Sa
ea
<> | pt
As in all Cyprinodonts, the eggs are large ; in this species they measure 14 milli-
metres in diameter. Dr. C. Lepori* has observed that these eggs bear thread-like
filaments, as processes of the periphery of the gelatinous capsule, such as had been
previously described in the eggs of Scombresocidee by E. Heeckel * and have since been
found in Atherinide by Syrski fide J. Brock ~ and by J. A. Ryder). The object of
these threads is to entangle the eges together in masses, and to suspend them to fixed
objects, as has been observed by Mr. Schoeller in Haplochilus schoellert.
* Atti Acc. Rom. (8) ix. 1881, p. 481, 1 pl.
Tt Miuller’s Arch. Anat. Phys. 1855, p. 23, pls. iv. & v.
+ Morphol. Jahrb. iv. 1878, p. 552 (footnote).
§ Bull. U.S. Fish Comm. iii. 1883, p. 193, fig.
CYPRINODON. All
2. CYPRINODON DISPAR.
(Plate LX XIX. figs. 3 & 4.)
Lebias dispar, Riippell, Fische Roth. Meer. p. 66, pl. xviii. figs. 1 & 2 (1828).
Cyprinodon lunatus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xviii. p. 161 (1846).
Cyprinodon dispar, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 303 (1866).
Cyprinodon dispar, Klunzinger, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xx. 1870, p. 587; Day, Fish. Ind.
p. 521, pl. exxi. figs. 1 & 2 (1877).
Cyprinodon stoliczkanus, Day, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xli. 1872, p. 258. .
Lebias dispar, part., Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. xix. 1895, p. 34.
This species has not actually been found in fresh water in any part of the Nile Basin,
but as it seems to be widely distributed along both coasts of the Red Sea, in tidal pools
and at the mouths of rivers, and as it is known to occur in hot springs in Arabia and
Persia and in fresh water in Cutch, it will probably be found in inland waters in Egypt
in the neighbourhood of the Red Sea. It is included here on this supposition.
C. dispar is very closely allied to, and difficult to distinguish from, C. fasciatus, but
it grows to a larger size, it has only 9 or 10 rays in the dorsal fin, and 10 or If in
the anal, and the caudal fin, which is truncate, is marked in the male with two or three
crescentic black bands ; the dark and light cross-bars on the body, which are more or
less distinct in the female, are replaced in the adult male by numerous round light
(in life blue) spots. 16 to 20 teeth in each jaw. 26 to 28 scales in the lateral line,
22 or 24 round the body.
Grows to a length of 80 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
3 om
Total length (without caudal). =. 39 5 es LU A7
Demior body «i eee ee ee ee 14 14
Teper Of Heads - 3 =. Se ieee ree ee 14 13
Wah sOt- Hees ae ant ek Se ae. pe ee ek ere ea 4 9
LienadhaPensat~ S. ios es ee ee 3 34
Dismistenion, Wyee Sai a= ees eee = 4 d4
Tnterorbtial “width spe see -5 el PS rn ee Mee 6 6
Longest ray 6h oredl Ait. Arg SO oe ee ee 8
af say PRAM ee eet ree ee ees eee ee eo 7
Hanothotpeahaie ie oe pe ee ae -
= VORURAR (Haag supe ag Se? as oe ar eee 8 6
In describing this species, Rtippell observed that it is found all round the Red Sea,
in salt water, but that it occurs also in the thermal freshwater spring of Hadjer Elme
3G 2
412 CYPRINODONTID,
near Tor. Mr. Lort Phillips also found it in a hot spring at Makulla, Persian Gulf,
and the type specimens of C. stoliczkanus, Day, were obtained in a small nearly quite
freshwater stream at the village of Joorun, in Cutch.
List of specimens examined :—
Coast of Abyssinia.—Riippell, 1826. (Types.)
6 Muscat.—Ool. A. 8. G. Jayakar, 1885-87.
28 Gala near Muscat.—Col. A. 8. G. Jayakar, 1883.
6 Makulla, Persia—E. Lort Phillips, 1887.
12 Cutch.—Dr. F. Stoliczka, 1871. (Types of C. stoliczkanus.)
I regard the Syrian specimens referred by Giinther (/. c.) and by Gaillard (Arch. Mus.
Lyon, vi. 1895, p. 13, figs.) to C. dispar, by Richardson (P. Z. 8. 1856, p. 371) to
C. hammonis, as a distinct species, for which I propose the name C. richardsoni. The
caudal fin is rounded instead of truncate, the teeth number only 12 or 14 in each jaw,
and the coloration is different.
FUNDULUS. 413
2. FUNDULUS.
Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. v. p. 37 (1803) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 318 (1866).
Hydrargyra, Lacepede, t. ¢. p. 378.
Nothobranchius, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1868, p. 145.
Mouth small; mandible short, with the bones on each side firmly united; teeth
conical, in a narrow band, those of the outer series largest. Scales moderate or rather
small. Dorsal fin commencing before or opposite the origin of the anal. Ventral
fins present, far behind the base of the pectorals. Intestinal tract short. Oviparous.
Fresh and brackish waters of Spain, Tropical and South Africa, Japan, North and
Central America.
About thirteen species from the Old World and forty from the New. Of the ten or
eleven African species, only one has to be noticed here. |
1. FUNDULUS TAINIOPYGUS.
(Plate LX XIX. fig. 5.)
Fundulus (Nothobranchius) orthonotus, var., Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 78.
Nothobranchius teniopygus, Hilgendorf, op. cit. 1891, p. 20.
Fundulus teniopygus, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 48 (1896); Hilgendorf, Zool. Jahrb.,
Syst. xxii. 1905, p. 416.
Depth of body three to three and three-fourths times in the total length, length of
head three to three and a half times. Upper surface of head convex from between the
eyes; snout very short and broad, with the mouth directed upwards, the lower jaw
projecting; teeth forming a broad band, the outer enlarged ; diameter of the eye three
and a half times in the length of the head, interorbital width twice and one-third ;
two or three series of scales on the cheek. Dorsal fin with 17 rays, originating a little
in advance of the anal and at equal distance from the eye and from the root of the
caudal fin, the longest rays three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head. Anal
fin with 17 or 18 rays, the longest about three-fifths the length of the head. Male
with small spine-like tubercles on the dorsal and anal fins. Pectoral fin about three-
fifths the length of the head, much longer than the ventral, which is inserted midway
between the end of the snout and the root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin rounded.
Caudal peduncle once and one-third as long as deep. Scales with feeble concentric
strie, 30 or 31 in a longitudinal series, 28 or 24 round the body in front of the ventral
fins ; lateral line indicated by an interrupted series of pits.
414 CYPRINODONTIDA.
Male brown, with dark edges to the scales; dorsal fin dark purplish brown; anal
and caudal fins purplish brown, with a whitish band across the middle. Female
lighter and uniformly coloured, the fins lighter.
Measurements (in millimetres).
é. Q,
GRULAOWOUN Sat t.ho a 0 ae arn ee ee 40)
= Peo NADU CAMUAL) to so spe eg ae ee ee 34
AEE RO OU eas gene Se eee ae ee 9
fener OL NeAa’. es eds Steps at Sees | he 10
WVICHMOL Tad ier Scie a Te Aer eee, eye 7 5
Length of snout 3 24
Dipmaster @bGye vince tee Enite we «ies we 92S es 4 3
Interorbital width . es 6 4
Tye gest ta ore or saat cts eis SAG etre ty a. 210 6
3 fi naling: * 8 6
Leneth of pectoral-ii.t oe. NIA SG a) ane 8 6
ventral fin 4 ae:
oy)
This little fish, discovered by Dr. G. A. Fischer in the Victoria Nyanza and in Lake
Tshaya in Unyamwesi (drainage of the Tanganyika), has been very imperfectly described.
Thanks to the courtesy of Dr. Pappenheim, I have been able to describe the species
from two specimens, types from Lake Victoria, entrusted to me by the authorities of
the Berlin Museum. I have also examined three female specimens from the Bubu
River (Coll. O. Neumann, Sept. 1893) near Irango, south of Lake Manyara.
As already stated by Prof. Pfeffer, /. teniopygus is very closely related to the East-
African Ff. guentheri, Pfeff. (orthonotus, Gthr. & Playf., nec Peters), differing chiefly
in the narrower interorbital space, which is fully half the length of the head in
F. quentheri, and in the coloration. The presence of small nuptial tubercles on the
fins of the male, which has been given as a distinctive character, is also to be found
in fully developed males of F. guenthert.
HAPLOCHILUS. 415
3. HAPLOCHILUS,
McClelland, Asiat. Res. xix. pp. 301 & 426 (1839) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p. 310 (1866) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 344 (1901).
Very closely allied to the preceding ; differing only in the more posterior position of
the dorsal fin, the origin of which is behind that of the anal.
About thirty-five species from South-eastern Asia, China, Japan, Africa, Central and
South America, and the West Indies. Twenty-four species are known from Africa,
five of which occur in the Nile system.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Dorsal fin with 6 to 8 rays; scales 24 to 28 in a longitudinal series.
A. Eye much longer than the snout, not or but slightly shorter than postorbital part of head ;
caudal fin rounded, a little longer than head.
Anal fin with i? or [3 rayess 2. 5) Ge os Sc oe cet ees Sheet h) eter ease ociicny Bler.
Anal fin with 14 or 15 rays . 2. Heleatr, Bigr.
B. Eye not longer than the snout, shorter than postorbital part of head; anal fin with 14 or
15 rays.
Caudal'tin rounded, nearly ae long us-head .9 47 5 a ee a
Caudal fin pointed, longer than head "> 8 0 me ee. ae Deis are
II. Dorsal fin with 10 or 11 rays, anal with 14 or 15; scales 27 to 29
in a longitudinal series; eye longer than the snout; caudal fin
rounded, not longer than head". 4... 2 os 4 bo oe ye SE De TT. penis, Blox.
1. HAPLOCHILUS SCHOELLERI.
(Plate LXXIX. fig. 6.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xiv. 1904, p. 136.
Depth of body three and a half to four and a half times in the total length, length
of head three and a half to four times. Head flat above; snout very short, truncate,
with the mouth directed upwards, the lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth small,
forming a narrow band; eye better visible from below than from above, longer than
the snout, as long as or a little shorter than the postorbital part of the head; inter-
orbital width two-fifths to one-half the length of the head. Dorsal fin with 7 or 8 rays,
originating above the middle of the anal, once and a half to once and two-thirds as far
416 CYPRINODONTID A.
from the eye as from the root of the caudal fin, the longest rays about two-thirds the
length of the head. Anal fin with 12 or 13 rays, similar to the dorsal. Pectoral fin
about two-thirds the length of the head, much longer than the ventral fin, which is
inserted much nearer to the end of the snout than to the root of the caudal fin.
Caudal fin rounded, a little longer than the head. Caudal peduncle once and a half
to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales smooth or with spinulose edge, 25 to
28 in a longitudinal series, 14 or 16 round the body in front of the ventral fin; no
lateral line pits.
In spirit the fish is pale yellowish olive, the scales finely edged with blackish; fins
white, without markings. In life, according to Mr. Schoeller’s notes, the whole fish
shows a splendid dark sky-blue iridescence except on the belly ; the dorsal and caudal
fins are colourless, but males have the latter edged with red above and beneath; the
pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are lemon-yellow, at least during the breeding-season ;
the iris is colourless. |
HT. schoellert does not exceed a length of 33 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
3 ;
Total length (without caudal) . 22 26
Depth of body . 6 7
Length of head 64 7
Width of head . 34 4
Length of snout 13 14
Diameter of eye 2 2
Interorbital width . 24 3
Longest ray of dorsal fin 4 At
= pe lip eh a eee 4] AL
Length of pectoral fin 4 D
® ventral fin. 2 5)
Mr. C. H. Schoeller found this Cyprinodont in great numbers in freshwater wells
and watering canals close to Lake Mareotis, where it keeps mostly to the surface of
the water, always swimming in great excitement, the fins in quivering motion. Several
specimens have been presented by Mr. Schoeller to the British Museum, and living
examples having been sent to Germany #. schoellert has become well known among
amateurs, in whose aquariums the fish has bred. It is oviparous and hangs its eggs in
bunches to the twigs of plants by means of little threads.
Numerous specimens were obtained by Mr. Loat at Ghet-el-Nassara, in April and
May, 1899, in freshwater trenches in direct communication with Lake Menzaleh.
a
v
HAPLOCHILUS. 417
2. HAPLOCHILUS LOATI.
(Plate LX XIX. fig. 7.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 446.
Depth of body three and two-thirds to five times in the total length, length of head
four to four and a half times. Head flat above; snout very short, truncate, with the
mouth directed upwards, the lower jaw projecting; teeth small, forming a narrow
band; eye better visible from below than from above, longer than the snout, as long
as the postorbital part of the head; interorbital width half the length of the head.
Dorsal fin with 7 or 8 rays, originating above the middle or the posterior third of the
anal, twice as far from the eye as from the root of the caudal fin; longest rays about
three-fifths the length of the head. Anal fin with 14 or 15 rays, originating at nearly
equal distance from the eye or the operculum and from the root of the caudal fin.
Pectoral fin about two-thirds the length of the head, much longer than the ventral
fin, which is inserted at nearly equal distance from the end of the snout and from the
root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin rounded, a little longer than the head. Caudal
peduncle once and one-third to once and a half as long as deep. Scales smooth, 24
or 2) ina longitudinal series, 14 round the body in front of the ventral fins; no
lateral line pits. |
Yellowish olive above, the scales edged with darker, whitish beneath; fins white,
without markings.
This is one of the smallest fishes known, the largest specimen measuring only
25 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without caudal) 19
Depth of body . , 5
Length of head . 5
Width of head . 24
Length of snout. 1
Diameter of eye 2
oiiemiy bate yaa eli «Ses ae sy Fe Ss oe eee 24
Longest ray of dorsal fin . 3
if anal fin =
Length of pectoral fin 31
z ppgeairiotten) bias fata Sse i ot 02 QL
Over a hundred specimens were obtained by Mr. Loat in Lake No, White Nile,
in February and March 1901. A single specimen was found in a kore at Fashoda,
15.3.01, and another at Gondokoro, 4.2.02.
This species is very closely related to the preceding.
3H
418 | CYPRINODONTID A’.
3, HAPLOCHILUS MARNI,
(Plate LX XIX. fig. 8.)
fTaplochilus fasciolatus, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. vi. p- 358 (1866), and Petherick’s Tray. ii.
p. 258 (1869).
Haplochilus marnoi, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxxiii. i. 1881, p. 198.
Depth of body four and a half to five and two-fifths times in the total length,
length of head three to three and a half times. Head flat above; snout rounded,
with the mouth directed upwards, the lower jaw feebly projecting ; teeth small, forming
a narrow band; eye nearly perfectly lateral, as long as the snout, three to three and a
half, times the length of the head; interorbital width half the length of the head,
Dorsal fin with 7 or 8 rays, originating above posterior third of anal, twice as far from
the gill-opening or the eye as from the root of the caudal fin, the longest ray about
half the length of the head. Anal fin with 14 or 15 rays, about twice as long as the
dorsal. Pectoral fin about two-thirds the length of the head, much longer than the
ventral fin, which is inserted at equal distance from the end of the snout and from
the root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin rounded, ‘nearly as long as the head. Caudal
peduncle a little longer than deep. Scales feebly striated, 27 or 28 in a longitudinal
series, 18 or 20 round the body in front of the ventral fins; lateral line indicated
by a series of pits.
Pale brown above, yellowish white beneath, with 9 to 12 dark brown or blackish
oblique bands on each side of the body directed downwards and forwards; two or
three similar bands may also be present on the caudal fin; dorsal and anal fins
purplish or bluish grey, the latter sometimes with small crimson spots.
Grows to a length of 40 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
SOUS SEC Gack eg Ie ide cee age ei eee ag taht SMILE es Oat ape
: 1 VEO OMA es ak ee ea Se gs aS ge ee ee
Depth of body . 5D
Length of head. 7
Width of head . 4.
Length of snout 9
Diameter of eye 9
Interorbital width . oh
Longest ray of dorsal fin. oe
e Petes Vite da ae
Length of pectoral fin 4
ventral fin , 3
29
HAPLOCHILUS. ers.
The specimens described by Dr. Steindachner were collected by the late Dr. Marno
in the Bahr-el-Seraf and in the Bahr-el-Gebel. A specimen had previously been
obtained near Khartum by Consul Petherick, and had been confounded with the
West-African H. fasciolatus by Dr. Giinther. Mr. Loat obtained one specimen at
Lake No (February 1901), and the British Museum has received from Dr. F. Werner
a further specimen obtained by him at Mongalla, near Gondokoro, in 1900,
H. marni resembles very closely, in form and markings, H. senegalensis, Stdr., from
the Senegal, and may have to be united with it. T have, however, not been able to
compare specimens from the Senegal, and can only judge from Steindachner’s
description and figure. The name senegalensis would have priority over marni.
4, HAPLOCHILUS BIFASCIATUS.
(Plate LX XIX. fig. 9.)
Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxxiil. 1. 1881, p. 199.
Depth of body four and a half to five and three-fifths times in the total length,
length of head three and one-fourth to three and a half times, Head flat above ;
snout rounded, with the mouth directed upwards, the lower jaw scarcely projecting ;
teeth small, forming a narrow band; eye better visible from below than from above,
as long as the snout and three to four times the length of the head; interorbital
width half the length of the head. Dorsal fin with 6 or 7 rays, originating above
posterior third of anal, twice as far from the head as from the root of the caudal fin ;
longest ray nearly two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 15 rays, about
twice as long as the dorsal. Pectoral fin nearly two-thirds the length of the head,
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length . ‘ae tae eas
a » (without caudal) . 28
Depth of body . aoe D
Length of head 8
Width of head . 4
Length of snout gt
Diameter of eye 24
Interorbital width . 4
Longest ray of dorsal fin D
© “ane Bn. 5
Length of pectoral fin D
im ventral fin . 4
oo
=
bo
420 CYPRINODONTIDA.
longer than the ventral fin, which is inserted at equal distance from the end of the
snout and from the root of the caudal fin. Caudal fin pointed, longer than the head.
Caudal peduncle as long as deep. Scales finely striated, 27 or 28 in a longitudinal
series, 16 or 18 round the body in front of the ventral fins; lateral line indicated by a
series of pits. |
Yellowish brown, with two dark brown bands along each side, the upper extending
from above the gill-cover to below the caudal peduncle, the lower from the eye to the
root of the caudal fin; fins whitish, unspotted.
Grows to a length of 45 millimetres.
Discovered by the late Dr. Marno in the Bahr-el-Seraf and in the Bahr-el-Gebel. I
I have examined a single specimen from Mongalla, near Gondokoro, presented by
Dr. F. Werner in 1905.
H. bifasciatus is easily distinguished from the other species known from the Nile
system by its pointed caudal fin.
5. HAPLOCHILUS PUMILUS.
(Plate LX XIX. fig. 10.)
Boulenger, Tr. Zool. Soc. xvii. 1906, p. 554, pl. xxxil. fig. 4.
Depth of body three and two-thirds to four and a half times in the total length,
length of head three and a half to four times. Head flat above; snout very short,
truncate, with the mouth directed upwards, the lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth
small, forming a narrow band; eye better visible from below than from above, longer
than the snout, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the postorbital part of the
head; interorbital width two-fifths the length of the head. Dorsal fin with 10 or
11 rays, originating above the anterior third of the anal, nearer to the root of the
caudal fin than to the occiput ; posterior rays longest, one-half to two-thirds the length
of the head. Anal fin with 14 or 15 rays, originating at equal distance from the eye
and from the root of the caudal fin; posterior rays longest, about as long as dorsals.
Pectoral fin two-thirds the length of the head, reaching beyond the base of the ventral
fin, which is much shorter and inserted nearer to the end of the snout than to the root
of the caudal fin. Caudal fin rounded, nearly as long as the head. Caudal peduncle
once and one-third as long as deep. Scales with very indistinct concentric strie,
°7 to 29 in a longitudinal series, 16 round the body in front of the ventral fins; no
lateral line pits. }
Yellowish, more brownish on the back, where the scales have darker outlines ; fins
purplish, without any markings.
‘Lhe largest specimen measures 36 millimetres.
HAPLOCHILUS. 491
Measurements (in millimetres).
it 2. 3
Total length-(without:candal) ~ o..) 6. oa: 30 29 23
Deptt bady h .wenicaus oS, 8 7 5
enoth-of néad= 04) oa. os ears pete oo 8 8 6
Width: Grea “con ek on he oat Sern coe 4 4 34
encip is shOUt Ho. 4 eee een cee ne geo: 2 we 1
ADRS COR OMB Ee gy ct bet eee » eee as 24 24 2
Intérerbitaliwidtls © fac Gi mae ae ee 3 3s 2S
Ijoneest fay Ol Gersik MM eect es ae 5 5 3
ES Peg 6 es ice eee pees pe eee a ee ae 5 o | 4
Tenetit of pectoral fine wae. oe a ieee 5 5 | 4
A frertral fit: 25 sates ¢ pu meee 3 2) 2
1. L. Tanganyika. | 2,3. L.-Victoria.
This species was discovered almost simultaneously by Dr. Cunnington in Lake
Tanganyika and by Mr. Degen in Lake Victoria. The specimens from the latter, ten
in number, were obtained at Entebbe, June 15th, 1905.
422 ATHERINID A.
PERCESOCES.
ATHERINID Ai.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border; teeth in the jaws
and on the pharyngeal bones. Body covered with cycloid or ctenoid scales. Precaudal
vertebree with strong parapophyses, bearing the ribs; epipleurals inserted on the ribs.
Pectoral fins inserted high up; ventral fins more or less remote from the pectorals,
with one spine and five soft rays. Two well-separated dorsal fins, the anterior, if not
rudimentary, small and formed, at least in part, of non-articulated or spinous rays.
Air-bladder present.
Although associated with the Acanthopterygians in many classifications, the
Atherinide, as well as their allies the Scombresocide, are nearly related to the
Cyprinodontide, and truly form a connecting-link between the latter and the
Mugilidse. The chief reason why they are placed in a different Suborder from
the Haplomi is that a duct between the air-bladder and the digestive canal is absent ;
they are Physoclystous, like the Perches and their allies, the Cyprinodonts being
Physostomous, like the Pike and Carp. As an example of the difficulty which one
may find in allocating some of these fishes to their proper position in the system,
Protistius, Cope *, may be mentioned—referred first to the Ae then to the
Cyprinodontide, it is now placed in the Atherinide.
The Atherinide are carnivorous fishes, mostly marine and of small size, and
distributed along the coasts of most tropical and temperate seas; some marine species
enter fresh waters, others are entirely confined to these.
The silvery lateral band which is present in most members of the family explains
the names “ Priest” (in allusion to the stole) and “Silver-side” which have been
given to them. —
About sixty-five species are known, referred to fifteen genera.
We have here to deal with only a single species of the genus Atherina.
* Cf, H. W. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Philad. lv. 1904, p. 737, pl. xliv.
2
ATHERINA. 42
1, ATHERINA.
Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 519 (1766) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. iii. p. 392 (1861) ;
Clementina Borsieri, Contr. Con. Sp. Hur. Atherina (1904).
Cleft of mouth oblique; teeth small, conical. Body more or less elongate, sub-
cylindrical or feebly compressed ; scales cycloid, moderate or rather large, extending
on parts of the head; no distinct lateral line. Anterior dorsal fin small but well
developed, formed of 5 to 9 feeble spines ; second dorsal and anal fins opposite to each
other. Ventral fins inserted at a considerable distance behind the base of the pectorals.
Vertebre 43 to 56.
‘This genus is represented cver nearly the whole world, except in Arctic and Antarctic
regions. Although primarily marine, a few species have established themselves in
fresh waters.
1. ATHERINA MOCHON,
Atherina hepsetus, var., Delaroche, Ann. Mus. Paris, xiii. 1809, p. 358.
Atherina mochon, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. x. p. 434, pl. ecciv. fig. 1 (1835) ; Guichenot,
Explor. Alg., Poiss. p. 67 (1850); Giinther, Cat. Fish. ii. p. 396 (1861) ; Steindachner,
Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lvii. 1. 1868, p. 678; Canestrini, Fauna d’Ital., Pesci, p. 116 (1874) ;
Moreau, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, ui. p. 209 (1881) ; Marion, Ann. Mus. Marseille, Zool. iv.
1891, p. 94; Loénnberg, Bih. Svensk. Vet.-Ak. Handl. xxvi. iv. 1900, no. 8, p. 8 *.
Atherina risso, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t.c. p. 435 ; Playfair & Letourneux, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (4)
viii. 1871, p. 387 ; Moreau, t. c. p. 210 ; Clementina Borsieri, Zool. Anz. 1902, p. 599, and
Contr. Con. Sp. Eur. Atherina, p. 47, pl. x. (1904).
Atherina sarda, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 435.
Atherina lacustris, Bonaparte, Icon. Faun. Ital., Pesci, pl. —. fig. 3 (1836) ; Martens, Arch. f.
Naturg. xxiii. 1857, p. 167, pl. ix. figs. 1 & 2; Giinther, t. c. p. 394 ; Canestrini, op. cit. p. 9 ;
Roule, C. R. Ac. Sci. exxxvi. 1903, p. 824; H. W. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Philad. lv. 1904,
p. (27,
Atherina caspia, Hichwald, Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. 1838, p. 136, and Faun. Casp.-Cauce. p. 163,
pl. xxxiii. figs. 1 & 2 (1841).
Atherina pontica, Kichwald, ll. ec. pp. 187, 164, pl. xxxiil. figs. 3 € 4; Kessler, Trud. St. Peterb,
Obskeh. Erbest, v. 1874, p. 296.
Atherina botert (non Risso), Depéret, Bull. Soc. H. N. Toulouse, xvii. 1883, p. 82.
* The fish described and figured by Bonaparte, Costa, and C. Borsieri as A. mochon does not agree with
Valenciennes’s figure, and is a distinct species, differing in the more forward position of the ventral fins and
in having as many as 26 to 30 gill-rakers on the lower part of the anterior arch.
494 ATHERINIDA.
Atherina hyalosoma (Cocco), Facciola, Nat. Sicil. iv. 1885, p. 239.
Atherina riqueti, Roule, Zool. Anz. 1902, p. 26%, fig., and C. R. Ac. Sci. exxxvi. 1903, p. 824, and
exxxvil. 1903, p. 1276.
Atherina sardinella, H. W. Fowler, t. c. p. 729, pl. xli.
This widely distributed Mediterranean species is introduced here among the fresh-
water fishes because it has been found in fresh waters, even in lakes cut off from access
to the sea, in the south of France, in Spain, in Italy, and in Algeria. In Egypt it has
only been found hitherto in salt water, but so far inland as Lake Temsah, where it
occurs in the company of Cyprinodon fasciatus and Mugil capito. Its exclusion from
this work would therefore hardly be justified.
I have taken the species A. mochon in a very broad sense. ‘The distinction of the
forms named A, rissoz, A. lacustris, A. riqueti, A. sardinella, &c. does not seem to me
to rest on characters of sufficient importance to justify specific rank, and I should
prefer to look upon them as races. From this point of view the Egyptian form
deserves a name, which I propose to be var. egyptia, the chief distinctive characters
being the small size, comparable to that of the var. r7queti, and the small number of
scales (20 to 24) round the body in front of the ventral fins. The following definition
is taken exclusively from Egyptian specimens, but measurements and numbers of scales
and fin-rays of examples from other points of the habitat of the Speeaoee are given for
the purpose of comparison.
Fig. 31.
Atherina mochon, var. egyptia. Natural size,
Depth of body four and two-thirds to six times in the total length, length of head
four to four and a half times. Snout rounded, shorter than the eye, which equals the
length of the postorbital part of the head and the width of the interorbital region,
which is flat, with a low median keel; lower jaw slightly projecting ; mouth extending
to below the anterior fourth of the eye; teeth small, conical, forming a narrow band.
Gill-rakers nearly as long as the gill-fringes, 16 to 20 on the lower part of the anterior
arch. First dorsal fin with 6 or 7 rays, originating nearer the end of the snout than
the root of the caudal fin ; second dorsal fin with a feeble spine and 11 or 12 articulated
rays, originating a little further back than the anal, which has a feeble spine and 12 or
13 articulated rays. Pectoral fin shorter than the head, extending to above the root of
the ventral, which is a little in advance of the dorsal. Caudal fin deeply forked.
425
ATHERINA.
*qvorT—"TIMI8H
‘rol —"yorezueyy oye “ZI ‘g
"IL ‘OL
‘TIM() “wy JIG —*Gesuloay, OYO'T es
‘Tessny “y—ATea] ‘oueqry jo oyeyT °6 ‘9
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426 ATHERINIDZ.
Caudal peduncle twice and a half to three times as long as deep. Scales smooth,
48 to 48 in a longitudinal series, 20 to 24 round the body in front of the ventral fins.
Yellowish, with a silvery lateral stripe running along the fourth or fifth row of
scales below the spinous dorsal fin; upper half of body with dark brown dots, which
may be crowded round the edges of the scales or form small blotches on the back;
fins white.
The largest Egyptian specimen measures 78 millimetres.
In addition to six specimens from the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, from Riippell’s
Collection, mentioned in Giinther’s Catalogue, I have examined about thirty specimens
from Lake Temsah, presented by Sir R. Owen in 1871, and about forty from Lake
Menzaleh, collected by Mr. Loat near Ghet-el-Nassara (28.95.99), at one of the islands
in the lake (7.5.99), and at Gemil, close to the shore (28.6.99). It is called Sardeena
by the fishermen.
I am indebted to Prof. Vaillant for notes on the type specimens of A. mochon
(Iviza, Delaroche) preserved in the Paris Museum. ‘The largest measures 71 millim.
(61 without the caudal fin) ; the distance between the end of the snout and the dorsal
fin, in this specimen, is 31 millimetres, that between the end of the snout and the
ventral being 26 or 27. 22 gill-rakers on the lower part of the anterior branchial
arch. 26 scales round the body in front of the ventral fins.
In a specimen of nearly the same size, from the Gulf of Cagliari, determined
by Mdlle. Borsieri as A. mochon, received with others from the same locality from
Prof. Vinciguerra, who has most kindly answered my enquiries respecting this fish,
the total length, without the caudal fin, being 64 millim., the distance between the
end of the snout and the dorsal fin is also 31 millim., whilst that between the end of
the snout and the ventral fin is only 24, the number of gill-rakers on the lower
part of the anterior arch is 27, and there are 20 scales round the body.
I therefore feel confident that Delaroche’s ‘‘Mocho” falls into Mdlle. Borsieri’s
definition of A. rissoi, and that the A. mochon of most Italian authors constitutes a
distinct species ; this, so far as I can find out, is still unnamed, and, as being the
‘‘Latterino comune” of Bonaparte, I propose to designate it A. bonapartia.
MUGIL. 427
MUGILID.E.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border; teeth minute
or absent. Body covered with cycloid or ctenoid scales. Pracaudal vertebre with
strong parapophyses, bearing the ribs; epipleurals inserted on the ribs. Pectoral fins
inserted high up; ventral fins more or less approximated to the pectorals, with
one spine and five soft rays; pelvic bones suspended from the post-clavicles. ‘'wo
well-separated dorsal fins, the anterior formed of a small number of pungent spines.
Air-bladder present.
These fishes are closely related to the preceding, of which they are a further
specialisation, the pharyngeal bones having a complicated structure, much restricting
the cesophageal opening, and the vertebrae being reduced in number (24 to 26 instead
of 82 to 60). They feed on organic matter contained in mud, and in accordance with
this regime the intestinal canal is very elongate and forms numerous convolutions.
Each branchial arch is furnished with very closely set gill-rakers, which are bent
inwards and form with similar appendages on the mucous membrane of the pharynx
a sifting-apparatus by which the mud and small organisms absorbed in the mouth are
prevented from reaching the gills. The branchiostegal rays are 0 or 6 in number.
These fishes inhabit the fresh waters and coasts of the temperate and tropical regions,
the known species numbering about one hundred.
The genus Mugil is represented on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, two or three
species entering fresh waters.
1. MUGIL.
Artedi, Gen. Pisce. p. 32 (1738) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. iii. p. 409 (1861) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 352 (1901).
Mouth small, transverse, with minute setiform teeth; a more or less distinct knob
at the symphysis of the lower jaw. Body elongate, feebly compressed, covered, like
the head, with large scales the edge of which is finely denticulate ; a scaly process
on each side of the base of the anterior dorsal fin; no lateral line, but most of the
scales bearing in the centre a pit or short open canal, Anterior dorsal fin with
312
428 MUGILID.
3 to 5 spines, the first two or three close together at the base; anal fin opposite to the
posterior dorsal, with 3 feeble spines. Vertebree 24 (12-+12).
Three of the Mediterranean species are here described and may be distinguished
by the following characters :—
A much developed adipose eyelid, covering a considerable part of the
eye; a long free scale above the axil; pectoral fin two-thirds to
three-fourths the length of the head . . . . : pee iene (ded, Copnaiis, bs
A mere rudiment of adipose eyelid ; a long free acai een the Abi
pectoral fin three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head . . . 2. M. capito, Cuv.
A mere rudiment of adipose eyelid; no free scale above the axil ;
pectoral fin three-fourths to once the length of the head . . . . 3. Md. auratus, Risso.
The Grey Mullets are well-known for their agility and their habit of making
constant leaps out of the water.
Dr. J. C. Mitchell, in his Report on the Edible Fishes of Lake Menzaleh (Cairo,
1895, Svo), remarks that of the saltwater fishes of Egypt the Grey Mullets are the
most important. In numbers they probably exceed all other fishes excepting 7?lapia
nilotica. Three species are found at Damietta, known by the names of Bouri
(M. cephalus), Tobar (M. capito), and Garan (M. auratus) respectively. The
first-named is the largest. All the Mullets spawn in the sea and it is said that the
annual migration of the Bouri takes place between the months of May and November
inclusive.
‘The Grey Mullets,” Dr. Mitchell says, “are sociable and move about in large
shoals, thus rendering their capture somewhat easy. Bouri are to be met with in all
portions of the lake, but seem to frequent more especially the deeper parts and those
undergrown with Ruppia maritima. ‘There they may be seen in hundreds, leaping
clear of the water to a height of a metre or more and alighting three or four metres
from the point of emergence, to continue their performance several times before they
again seek the depths of the lake.
“ It occasionally happens that several leap into a boat which may be sailing through
one of these shoals. When they are about to leave the lake to spawn, both sexes
congregate in large shoals in the proportion of from four to five males to one female.
Their energy seems now devoted to the great object of their lives, for no longer is it
expended in saltatory evolutions and even their natural wariness is diminished. At
this season they fall an easy prey to the fishermen, who, apprised of their approach
to the sea, await an opportunity of filling their nets.
“Grey Mullet are not, by any means, clean feeders. Any garbage or decomposing
organic matter is eagerly devoured. Numbers are found feeding on sewage in the bay
to the east of Matarieh, the natural cesspool of the town. Notwithstanding this
habit, they are much esteemed as food, their flesh is firm and flaky though somewhat
oily, and it is not wanting in flavour when properly cooked.
MUGIL. 429
“ Asa family the Mullets are essentially shore fishes, but they have a preference for
the mouths of rivers and cut-off lakes where the water is brackish, while not
unfrequently they are found to enter rivers. Bouri and Tobar have been caught in
the Nile as far south as Assouan. When kept in fresh water ponds, Mullets are found
to improve rapidly in weight and condition.” |
The posterior part of the stomach of the Grey Mullets, which is muscular and
resembles the gizzard of a fowl, is considered a delicacy by the fishermen. ‘The roes
are salted, pressed, and dried, and sold under the name of “ battarah,” which is
usually served as a hors-d’cuvre at the tables of the wealthier natives.
Representations of the Grey Mullets appear in several fishing-scenes of the ancient
Egyptians *. Their habit of ascending the Nile from the sea was well known to the
ancients, Strabo mentioning the Mullet as the only fish, besides the Dolphin and the
Shad, doing so, and he adds that it keeps company with the Schalls (Synodontvs),
which, by means of their strong spines, defend them against the Crocodiles +.
1. MUGIL CEPHALUS.
(Plate LX XX. fig. 1.)
Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 520 (1766) ; Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 296, pl. xxiii. fig. 2 (1799) ;
Delaroche, Ann. Mus. xiii. 1809, p. 358, pl. xx. fig. 4; Cuvier, Régne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 231
(1829) ; Bonaparte, Icon. Faun. Ital., Pesc. (1834) ; Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xi.
p. 19, pl. ecevii. (1836) ; Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1843, p. 86; Guichenot, Explor. Alg., Poiss.
p- 67 (1850) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. ili. p. 417 (1861); Blanchard, Poiss. France, p. 231 (1866);
Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ivii. i. 1868, p. 680; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 209
(1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 952 ; Moreau, Poiss. France, iii. p. 183
(1881) ; Jordan & Evermann, Fish. N. Amer. p. 811 (1896) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo,
p. 353 (1901) ; H. W. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Philad. lv. 1904, pp. 743 & 744, fig.
Mugil albula, Linneeus, t. c. p. 520.
Mugil tang, Bloch, Nat. Ausl. Fische, vii. p. 171, pl. ecexev. (1793).
Mugil plumieri, Bloch, t. c. p. 173, pl. ecexevi.
Mugil lineatus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 96.
Mugil rammelsbergii, Tschudi, Faun. Per., Ichth. p. 20 (1845).
Mugil berlandieri, Girard, U.S. Mex. Bound. Surv. i. Ichth. p. 20, pl. x. figs. 1-4 (1859).
Mugil guentheri, Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 18638, p. 169.
* Tomb of Ti, Sakkara (unpublished photographs in Prof. Flinders Petrie’s collection); tomb of
Ptah-Hotep (cf. Quibell, The Ramesseum: London, 1898, pl. xxxii.); east wall of chapel of Ptah-Hotep
(cf. N. de G. Davies, The Mastaba of Ptahhetep: London, 1900, pl. xxv.); tombs of Deir el Gebrawi
(cf. N. de G. Davies, Rock Tombs of Dheir el Gebrawi, 1. & ii.: London, 1902); ivory figure in tomb of
Nagadah (J. De Morgan, Ethnogr. Préhistor.: Paris, 1897, p, 193, fig.).
+ Quoted by Cuvier and Valenciennes, xi. p. 62.
430 MUGILIDA.
Mugil ashanteensis, Bleeker, Nat. Verh. Vet. Haarlem, xviii. 1863, no. 2, p. 91, pl. xix. fig. 2;
Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, xli. i. 1870, p. 953.
Mugil meaxicanus, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxii. 1875, p. 58, pl. viii.
Depth of body three and three-fourths to five times in the total length, length of
head four to four and a half times (less in the very young). Snout as long as the eye
in the adult, shorter in the young; eye perfectly lateral in the young, better visible
from below than from above in the adult, partly covered by a much developed adipose
lid, which extends in front of and behind the orbit ; diameter of the eye three (young)
to five times in the length of the head, once and a half to twice and a half in the
interorbital width; nostrils rather widely separated from each other, the posterior
being at least as distant from the anterior as from the orbit ; mouth forming an obtuse
angle, a semicircle in large specimens; maxillary almost completely hidden when the
mouth is closed; a lanceolate space between the rami of the lower jaw; upper jaw
narrow, its diameter less than half that of the eye; preorbital with the edge finely
serrated ; two series of scales on the cheek. First dorsal fin with four spines
(exceptionally three), the first two measuring from two-fifths to a little more than
half the length of the head; second dorsal fin with 9 rays, originating above the
anterior third or the middle of the anal, which is formed of 3 spines and 8 (very
rarely 7 or 9) soft rays. Pectoral fin two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
head. Ventral fin inserted at equal distance from the eye and from the anal fin.
Caudal fin forked, as long as ora little longer than the eye. Caudal peduncle once and
a half to once and two-thirds as long as deep. 39 to 45 scales in a longitudinal series,
14 to 16 in a transverse series above the ventral fin ; a large free scale above the axil.
Bluish grey or greyish olive above, with darker streaks along the series of scales,
silvery white beneath ; fins greyish; a more or less distinct dark spot at the root of
the pectoral fin. Young uniform silvery.
Grows to a length of 560 millimetres, according to Dr. J. C. Mitchell.
The range of this species 1s an enormous one, extending over the Mediterranean and
the Atlantic coasts from the Loire to the Congo and from the United States to Brazil,
as well as to the Pacific coast of South America. It penetrates into the Rhone as far
up as Avignon, and is on record from the rivers of Algeria and the freshwater lakes of
Tunisia. It has been found in the Nile above Cairo, and is said to extend as far south
as Assuan.
I have examined the following Egyptian specimens :—
16 Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 25.4-16.5.99.
22 Near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh, close to the shore.—-Loat, 16-21.5.99.
4 Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara.—Loat, 11.6.99.
» Near Gemil, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 3.7.99.
1 Bahr-el-Tawilah, in freshwater canal running into L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 26.6.99.
8 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12-22.7.99.
1 Nile—S. 8S. Allen, 1862.
431
MUGIL.
ot
FV
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‘Ol
al ail =e sla Fl
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ST GG VG Té G&
91 61 0G GG LG
eb LT 0G EG 6G
ct 91 61 VG LG
LL IL vi 61 16
pe 8 8 OL rE
9 L 8 OT OL
91 06 GG 0& GE
LG GS ¥& cY SP
GG 66 && Iv SP
OLbat: S76 be sera SOSty| SOG
6 8 L 9 g
GGG
‘qeoT—'yorezueyy “T “OT ‘6 ‘8 'L ‘FSS
‘yeoT—"TIUIEH) *T
‘saypos fo sLaqunu pun (Sa1jOUII[[IUL Ul) spuauaunsvayT
** SOILOS OSIOASUBIY
66 66
SOLIOS [VUIPNALSUO] UT SoTvos Jo JoquINNy
eoeeoe#ee#e## @
[eioqyood Jo Yysu9e']
2+) Ae arose pum °F?
Aer qjos =“ .
eurds [es1op 4seduory
ga tes alae io
ofe Jo Jo}OUIVICT
qnous jo y}oUe'T
ey EO SSPE.
"* pray Jo yysueT
“* dpoq 30 yadeg
(jepneo ynoyIIM) YySUE] [eqIOY,
432, MUGILID.
This is the “ Bourt” (.c)) of the lakes of the Delta and the Nile. Other names
recorded by Mr. Loat are :— Hut” (=), for females full of roe, in the lakes of the
Delta; ‘“ lebt” (+), for males in breeding condition, in Lakes Menzaleh and
Mareotis; ‘“ cha’ma” (sls), for males in breeding condition, a name used by the
fishermen of Lake Borollos, instead of *‘lebt” ; “el met’zé” (s;si]) is a name sometimes
used by the fishermen of Lake Menzaleh to denote a “spent” female; “ kan boot”
(125,45), for small individuals in Lakes Menzaleh and Edkou.
Mr. Loat also observes that “it is the most abundant of the three species of Grey
Mullet found in the Lakes, chiefly in Lakes Menzaleh and Borollos. In Lakes Edkou
and Mareotis it is much less abundant, and very rarely taken containing roe in the
latter. In the Nile I have only caught it at Samannud, but it is taken at Cairo in
small numbers in the summer.”
2. MUGIL CAPITO.
(Plate LXXX. fig. 2 and Plate LXXXI. fig. 1.)
Cuvier, Régne Anim. 2nd ed. il. p. 232 (1829) ; Bonaparte, Icon. Faun. Ital., Pesce. (1834); Cuvier
& Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xi. p. 36, pl. cceviii. (1836) ; Yarrell, Brit. Fish. i. p. 200, fig.
(1836); Guichenot, Explor. Alg., Poiss. p. 67 (1850); Nilsson, Skand. Faun. iv. p. 176
(1855) ; Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (38) vii. 1861, p. 346, and Cat. Fish. il. p. 439 (1861) ;
Blanchard, Poiss. France, p. 248, fig. (1866) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lvi. i. 1868,
p. 680; Giinther, Petherick’s Tray. ii. p. 210 (1869); Moreau, Poiss. France, iii. p. 188 (1881) ;
Lilljeborg, Sver. Norg. Fisk. i. p. 408 (1884) ; Day, Brit. Fish. p. 230, pl. xlvi. (1881) ;
Lortet, Arch. Mus. Lyon, iii. 1883, p. 131, pl. x. fig. 2; Smitt, Scand. Fish. i. p. 339, fig.
(1893) ; Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 355 (1901).
Mugil cephalus (non Linnzeus), Donovan, Brit. Fish. i. pl. xv. (1802).
Mugil cephalus, var. A, Risso, Ichthyol. Nice, p. 344 (1810).
Mugil ramada, Risso, Hist. Nat. Hur. Mérid. iii. p. 390 (1826).
Mugil britannecus, Hancock, Lond. Quart. Journ. Sc. 1830, p. 129.
Mugil dubahra, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 60.
Mugil octoradiatus, Giinther, Cat. iii. p. 437 (part.) ; Lortet, t. c. p. 133, pl. xi. fig. 2.
Mugil petherict, Giinther, t. c. p. 441, and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 211.
Mugil curtus (non Yarrell), Lortet, t. c. p. 132, pl. xi. fig. 1.
Mugil auratus (non Risso), Lortet, t. c. p. 134, pl. xi. fig. 3.
Depth of body four to five times in the total length, length of head three and one-
fourth (young) to four anda half times. Snout as long as the eye in the adult, shorter
in the young; eye perfectly lateral in the young, better visible from below than from
above in the adult, with a mere rudiment of adipose lid, its diameter three (young) to
five times in the length of the head, once to twice and one-third in the interorbital
width; nostrils close together; mouth forming an obtuse angle; maxillary nearly
MUGIL. 433
completely hidden when the mouth is closed; upper lip narrow, its diameter less than
half that of the eye; a lanceolate space between the rami of the lower jaw ; preeorbital
with the edge finely serrated ; four or five series of scales on the cheek. First dorsal
fin with 4 spines (exceptionally 3 or 9), the first two measuring half to three-fifths
the length of the head; second dorsal fin with 9 or 10 rays, originating above the
anterior third of the anal, which is formed of 3 spines and 9 (exceptionally 8 or 10)
soft rays. Pectoral fin three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head. Ventral fin
inserted at equal distance from the eye and from the anal fin. Caudal fin deeply
emarginate, as long as the head. Caudal peduncle once and a half to twice as long as
deep. 40 to 47 scales in a longitudinal series, 14 to 16 in a transverse series above the
ventral fin; a large free scale above the axil.
Grey or greyish olive above, with darker streaks along the series of scales, silvery
white beneath ; fins greyish ; often a very smali dark spot in the upper part of the root
of the pectoral fin. Young uniform silvery.
Grows to a length of 400 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of scales.
9. 10.
Total length (without caudal) .......... Bee AD
Depth-of body sii. ee! cn eek es 12-1 6
Leneth: of head. s.-Rei ge ace oe 16 | 12
Width head s5 sere cia a lee een 10 ”
Leneth Of siO0 eco ks x ene ere 3 Q1
Diameter OF OV Gio 4s cect era ihe gee awe 5 42
Tinitendrbitalwwidtlivss us resi see 73 4
Longest dorsal spine, wy isacese se ey 9 6
a SOLU TE aah soar pera es 8 5
6g, BLE BAYS Ye tea loreal 9 6
Length of pectoral ... ; fRiea spewed 10 7
Number of scales in longitudinal series .. 46523
a ne transverse series... . 14-4
1,3, 4,5, L. Menzaleh.—Loat. 7,9, 10. Ghet-el-Nassara.—Loat.
2, Cairo.—Petherick. (Type of M. petherici.) 8. L. Temsah.—Owen.
6. Samannud.—Loat.
OK
434° MUGILIDZ.
Mugil capito is known from all the coasts of the Mediterranean and of the Atlantic
from Scandinavia to the Congo. It readily enters fresh waters, and is said to extend
up the Nile as far as the First Cataract. I have examined the following Egyptian
specimens :—
1 Mediterranean Coast of Egypt.—Riippell, 1833.
D4 Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 12—21.5.06.
103 Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 29.4-19.5.99.
3 Bahr-el-Tawilah, in freshwater canal running into west side of L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 26.6.99.
1 Near Gemil, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 30.6.99.
5 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 13-—22.7.99.
8 Nile at Cairo.—Petherick, 1861.
1 Nile at Cairo—Petherick, 1861. (Type of W/. petherici.)
16 Lake Temsah, Isthmus of Suez.—Sir R. Owen, 1871.
Gunther's Mugil petherici, the type specimen of which is figured on Plate LXXXI.
fig. 1, is founded on an individual variation in the number (10) of anal soft rays,
just as one of the specimens from Bahr-el-Tawilah is remarkable for having one
anal ray less than the usual en In every other respect MW. petherict agrees with
M. capito.
The Tobar (.,6), Dr. J. C. Mitchell says, “‘ ranks next in importance to the Bouri
and is smaller than it. Small specimens are called Okkar. The reproductive organs
were rather immature in July, and it is said that they leave the lake | Menzaleh| in
huge shoals about the end of November. ‘They move about in more or less extensive
shoals, either alone or accompanied by the Garan, or in fact with any other fish of
similar size. ‘They frequent shallower water than does the Bouri, and they are often
found quite near the shore. They are most plentiful in the market during the summer
months. ‘The flesh is coarser than that of the preceding species, and it is rarely
exposed for sale in towns in the fresh condition.”
This Grey Mullet, according to Mr. Loat, ‘is abundant in Lakes Manzaleh and
Borollos, less numerous in Lake Edkou, and more abundant in Lake Mareotis than
the Bouri. I have taken it at San, a village on a freshwater canal that runs into the
S.W. corner of Lake Menzaleh, some distance from the lake uselt. In June the a
come into the lakes from the sea.’
MUGIL 435
3. MUGIL AURATUS.
(Plate LXXXI. fig. 2.)
Risso, Ichthyol. Nice, p. 344 (1810); Bonaparte, Icon. Faun. Ital., Pesce. (1834) ; Cuvier &
Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. xi. p. 43, pl. cecviii. (1836) ; Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1843, p. 86 ;
Guichenot, Explor. Alg., Poiss. p. 67 (1850) ; Lowe, Fish. Madeira, p. 163 (1860): Giinther,
Ann. & Mag. N. H. (8) vii. 1861, p. 346, and Cat. Fish. i. p. 442 (1861) ; Steindachner,
Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lxii. i. 1868, p. 682; Moreau, Poiss. France, i. p. 185 (1881) ;
Lilljeborg, Sver.-Norg. Fisk. i. p. 413 (1884); Smitt, Scand. Fish. i. p. 339, fig. (1893) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 356 (1901). |
Mugil cryptochilus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. c. p. 61; Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. i. p. 213
(1869).
Mugil chelo (non Cuvier), Lowe, Tr. Zool. Soc. i. 1839, p. 184. |
Mugil maderensis, Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 82, and Tr. Zool. Soc. 111. 1842, p. 8.
Mugil octoradiatus, Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (8) vu. 1861, p. 347.
Mugil octoradiatus, part., Giinther, Cat. p. 437.
? Mugil saliens (non Risso), Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. 1. p. 213.
Depth of body three and a half to five times in the total length, length of head four
to five times. Snout as long as ora little longer than the eye in the adult, shorter
in the young; eye better visible from below than from above in the adult; a mere
rudiment of adipose eyelid; diameter of the eye four to five times in the length of the
head, once and a half to twice and a half in the interorbital width; nostrils close
together; mouth forming an obtuse angle; maxillary entirely or almost hidden when
the mouth is closed; upper lip rather narrow, its diameter not exceeding half that of
the eye; praeorbital with the edge finely serrated; a lanceolate space between the
rami of the lower jaw. First dorsal fin with 4 spines, the first two measuring half
to three-fifths the length of the eye; second dorsal fin with 9 rays, originating above
the anterior third of the anal, which is formed of 3 spines and 9 (exceptionally 8) soft
rays. Pectoral fin three-fourths to once the length of the head. Ventral fin inserted
at equal distance from the eye and from the anal fin. Caudal fin forked, as long as
or a little longer than the head. Caudal peduncle once and one-third to twice as long
as deep. 40 to 46 scales in a longitudinal series, 13 to 15 in a transverse series; no
free scale above the axil.
Greyish brown above, silvery white below; more or less distinct dark streaks along
the series of scales; one or two golden-yellow, bronzy-yellow, or golden-orange spots
between the eye and the border of the gill-cover; a dark red mark may be present
in the centre of the golden spot; ventral and anal fins white, the other fins
brownish grey.
Total length up to 400 millimetres.
436 MUGILIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of scales.
1 | 2 3. 4 5
|; Lotal-leneth-(withont. Caudal) 1.5.6 as oe oan ee go 4554 Poo. ee hee: 1 Ge aS
Depth of body ........ 6. eee eee ee cee eee S Pere 57 51 43 37 33
SEETS OS BOT Te eS eee eae amare ae tp Pnearee Pere renee 6 ere gence | 54 48 42 oT 36
WOE MONG. watt oa ee hr RG He Gib Sy aa eng ss | 85 32 25 22 21
ei gt eO SiO GU = 3.2 aa ee eegeite eI AUes paw set eects are ees g ic dia 10 9 8
Diameter 0L-eye: ira) GU55:. heats. Wet ey ee ee deh Il 1 9 10
NEC LOVOMPEEE NULG enc sr ata he ee ened Roqn ee eaten aey weeticer a alls 24 20 16 16 15
| EWios obidetcatss loys Vie tc. Bato euaan am hore cen ts WER cae OPM we Reenter Ey prea | 30 25 24 24 21
a dr BORG EN Sto cps eS en en areas Laney eee een te DG 24 22 21 18
epic TELE BOL PAN" dics stam cut) setae elke tn cel s Aly one
Heian WL POCUORAle sso 5 Masta a Figy weg sae oles Pag one 8
| Number of scales in longitudinal series ..........3....4.. 45 44 46 45 45
53 gg id= UPEDAY ONES SOPION yikca wha ga sealers i Se eet 13 14 14 14 14
1, 2,3. L. Borollos.—Loat. | 4,5, L. Menzaleh.—Loat.
Muyil auratus inhabits the coasts of Europe and North and West Africa, from
Scandinavia to the Congo. It seldom enters rivers, and Mr. Loat did not obtain
specimens in fresh water; but Cuvier and Valenciennes’s J. cryptochilus, which is
undoubtedly identical with MZ. auratus, is stated to be from the Nile (Coll. Lefebvre).
The Egyptian specimens examined by me are the following :—
11 Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 7—-12.5.99.
3 Near Gemil, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 2.7.99.
5 Lake Borollos.—Loat, 6.11.99.
The Garan (y 3), as this fish is called by the Egyptian fishermen, is, according
to Mr. Loat, fairly abundant in Lakes Manzaleh and Borollos, less so in Lake Edkou,
and uncommon in Lake Mareotis. At Rosetta it is chiefly caught during the rise and
fall of the Nile, when there is a certain amount of fresh water mixed with the salt,
otherwise this species never seems to leave the vicinity of salt water. It may be found
with roe from May till the end of August. It is often taken in the same net with
M. capito.
According to Dr. J. C. Mitchell, the flesh of the Garan is considered the most
delicious of all the Mullets, consequently it commands the best price in the market.
a
a |
-OPHIOCEPHALUS. 43
OPHIOCEPHALID.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. Body covered
with cycloid or feebly ctenoid scales. Anterior ribs sessile, the remainder inserted on
the parapophyses; epipleurals on the anterior ribs. Pectoral fin low down; ventral fin,
if present, near the pectoral, with six soft rays; pelvic bones connected with the
clavicular symphysis by ligament. Dorsal and anal fins long, without spines.
Air-bladder present, much elongate, bifid behind and extending far into the caudal
region.
Carnivorous fishes provided with an accessory superbranchial cavity, through which
they are able to breathe atmospheric air. All are inhabitants of fresh waters.
The Ophiocephalide resemble the Mugilide in the form of the head, nearly entirely
covered with scales, which are largest above and suggest the head-shields of snakes,
whence the name Ophiocephalus. ‘The branchiostegal rays are 6 in number;
pseudobranchie are absent.
The range of this family extends over Tropical Africa, Southern Asia, and China.
Only two genera are distinguished: Ophiocephalus and Channa.
1. OPHIOCEPHALUS,
Bloch, Nat. Ausl. Fische, vii. p. 137 (1793) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. iii. p. 468 (1861) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 367 (1901).
Body elongate, cylindrical or a little depressed in front, covered with small or
moderately large scales; lateral line complete, sometimes interrupted. Head depressed,
flat and covered with large scales above; mouth large, with bands of cardiform
teeth, often intermixed with enlarged, canine-like teeth in the lower jaw; teeth
on the vomer and palatines. Anterior nostril in a tentacle-like tube. Gill-openings
large, the gill-membranes attached to the isthmus; an accessory cavity, without
superbranchial organ, above the gill-chamber. Dorsal and anal fins much elongate;
ventral fins present. Vertebre 39 to 61.
This genus includes about 30 species, mostly from China and South-eastern Asia.
Three species are known from ‘Tropical Africa, one of which occurs in the
White Nile and the Bahr-el-Gebel.
438 OPHIOCEPHALIDA,
1. OPHIOCEPHALUS OBSCURUS.
(Plate LX XXII.)
Giinther, Cat. Fish. iii. p. 476 (1861), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 215, pl. ii. fig. B (1869) ; Stein-
dachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixxxiii. i. 1881, p. 197, and Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 36;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 368 (1901).
Depth of body five to six and a half times in the total length, length of head three
to three and a half times. Mead once and three-fifths to twice as long as broad ;
lower jaw projecting beyond the upper; snout rounded, once (young) to twice as long
as the diameter of the eye, which is five (young) to nine times in the length of the
head and once and a half to twice and one-fifth in the interorbital width ; eye supero-
lateral; maxillary extending beyond the vertical of the posterior border of the eye; a
few large canine teeth on each side of the lower jaw; nasal tentacle three-fifths to
two-thirds the diameter of the eye; 10 to 12 series of scales between the eye and the |
angle of the preoperculum. Gill-rakers short, tubercular, covered with asperities,
5 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. 40 to 45 rays in the dorsal fin, the longest two-
fifths to three-fifths the length of the head. Anal fin similar. but shorter, with 26 to
dl rays. Pectoral fin measuring half to three-fifths the length of the head, longer
than the ventral. Caudal fin rounded or subacuminate. Caudal peduncle once anda
half to once and two-thirds as deep as long. Scales striated, with smooth or feebly
6-7
denticulate border, 62 to 76 in a longitudinal series above the lateral line, 7, ina
transverse series below the first dorsal ray; 34 to 42 tubules in the lateral line.
Olive above, greyish beneath, according to a sketch made by Mr. Loat; a lateral
series of large, rounded, oval, or rhombic dark spots edged with black, sometimes with
a lighter outer border; irregular blackish spots above and beneath the lateral series ;
a broad blackish band along each side of the head, from the eye to the edge of the
gill-cover; lower surface of head marbled with whitish; fins greyish olive, spotted with
black. In the very young, a broad blackish lateral band extends from the tip of the
snout, through the eye, to the root of the caudal fin, and is followed, on the basal part
of the latter, by a small, black, light-edged ocellar spot.
_ This fish reaches a length of 350 millimetres.
Ophiocephalus obscurus, which is very closely related to the O. ductus of Cuvier and
Valenciennes, from Borneo, Sumatra, and Siam, was first described by Génther from
two specimens, West Africa, locality unknown; it has since been found at Gondokoro
by: Consul Petherick, in the White Nile and the Bahr-el-Seraf, in Lake Chad, and in
the rivers of West Afiica, from the Gambia to the Congo.
439
OPHIOCEPHALUS.
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ez fee esta meron es say oes Stee aa seeeess Uppers peqaoreyUT
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440 | | OPHLOCEPHALIDZ.
The following is a list of the specimens examined :—
1 Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile.—Loat, 7.4.01.
Fashoda.—Loat, 20-23.3.01.
2 Gondokoro.—Petherick, 1862.
2 Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
4. McCarthy Id., Gambia.—Budgett, 1898.
6 Sapelle, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1900.
Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
Assay, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
R. Benue, north of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1906.
Kribi R., 8. Cameroon.—G. L. Bates, 1902.
Gaboon.—R. B. N. Walker, 1868.
Lambarene, Ogowe.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
Boma, Congo.—Monteiro, 1873.
Leopoldville, Congo.—Dr. Dutton, 1903.
Bolobo, Upper Congo.—Rev. G. Grenfell, 1900.
Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1900.
West Africa.—C. Swanzz, 1849. (Types.)
to bo
el
bo
The young of this fish bears a great superficial resemblance to the young of
Polypterus senegalus.
Mr. Loat has noted that this fish is called “ Fekkie” or “ Fekke” (2s) at Fashoda ;
but he is unable to say if “ Fekke” is a well-known name for this species.
ANABAS. | 44]
ANABANTID/.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. Lower pharyngeal
bones large, united, with persistent suture. Body covered with ctenoid scales. Ribs
attached to the parapophyses; epipleurals inserted on the ribs. Pectoral fin low
down; ventral fin near the pectoral, with one spine and five soft rays; pelvic bones
connected with the clavicular symphysis by ligament. Dorsal and anal fins long, with
numerous spines. Air-bladder present, much elongate, bifid behind and prolonged
into the caudal region.
Close allies of the preceding family, and likewise with a superbranchial cavity, which
is still more developed and provided with thin bony laminze which are more or less
folded and covered with a mucous membrane*. ‘These fishes can live a long time out
of water, and the name Anabas scandens, by which the common Indian species is
known, recalls the fact that its first observers in India ascribed to it the habit of
climbing up low trees by means of the spines with which its gill-covers and ventral
fins are armed. No observations have been made on the habits of the African species.
Carnivorous freshwater fishes forming a single genus, represented in South-eastern
Asia and Africa.
1. ANABAS.
Cuvier, Régne Anim. ii. p. 339 (1817) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. ili. p. 374 (1862) ; Boulenger, Poiss.
Bass. Congo, p. 371 (1901).
Spirobranchus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. vii. p. 392 (1831); Giinther, t.c. p. 373.
Ctenopoma, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1844, p. 34; Giinther, t.c. p. 373 ; Peters, Reise n. Mossamb.
iv. p. 14 (1868).
Sandelia, Castelnau, Cat. Poiss. Afr. Austr. p. 36 (1861).
Body short or moderately elongate, more or less compressed, covered with large,
hard, strongly ctenoid scales; lateral line interrupted. Head convex, covered with
scales; mouth moderately large, with small conical teeth; teeth on the vomer and on
* Of. Peters, Arch. f. Anat. u. Physiol. 1853, p. 427, pl. xii.; Zograff, Biol. Centralbl. vy. 1886, p. 679, and
Q. J. Microsc. Sci. xxviii. 1888, p. 501; Grigorin, Zool. Anz. 1900, p. 161. :
Deda
442, ANABANTIDE,
the parasphenoid, palatine teeth present or absent. Anterior nostril in a short tube.
Gill-openings large, the gill-membranes attached to the isthmus; an accessory cavity,
with superbranchial organ, above the gill-chamber. Spinous part of the dorsal and °
anal fins longer than the soft. Vertebre 26 to 31 (10-13 + 16-18).
Four species are known from South-western Asia and fifteen from Tropical and
South Africa. The genus is represented by two species in the Nile system.
1. ANABAS PETHERICT.
(Plate LX XXIII. fig. 1.)
Ctenopoma petherici, part., Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (8) xii. 1864, p. 211, xx. 1867, p. 110,
and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 208, pl. i. fig. A (1869).
Anabas petherict, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) iii. 1899, p. 243.
Depth of body twice and one-fourth to twice and a half in the total length, length
of head twice and two-thirds to three times. Snout rounded, as long as or a little
shorter than the eye, the diameter of which is four to four and two-thirds times in
the length of the head and about once and a half in the interorbital width; mouth
oblique, lower jaw very slightly projecting; maxillary extending to below the anterior
third of the eye; jaws with broad bands of villiform teeth, with an outer series of
larger teeth ; a very small chevron-shaped group of vomerine teeth and a narrow linear
band of palatine teeth; preeorbital very narrow, not serrated; a few small serra may
be present at the angle of the preoperculum ; operculum with two groups of strong
serre, with a deep notch between them; suboperculum and interoperculum finely
serrated; four or five series of ctenoid scales between the eye and the angle of the
preoperculum, the scales of the two series near the eye strongly spiniferous in males.
Dorsal fin with 17 to 19 (usually 18) spines and 8 to 10 (usually 10) soft rays, the
latter covered with thin scales; spines strong, increasing in length to the last, which
measures two-fifths to half the length of the head ; soft portion of the fin rounded or
obtusely pointed, the longest rays half to two-thirds the length of the head. Anal
fin similar to the dorsal, with 10 spines and 10 or 11 soft rays. Pectoral fin rounded,
about two-thirds the length of the head, longer than the ventral, which extends to the
first anal spine. Caudal fin rounded. No caudal peduncle, the dorsal and anal fins
extending to the caudal fin, which is covered with large ctenoid scales at the base,
whilst thin scales cover its rays. Scales strongly ctenoid, 28 to 30 in a longitudinal
3. 14-17 |
series, 5-;9 In a transverse series ; lateral lines 7j-43-
According to Mr. Loat’s notes and a sketch made at Fashoda, the colour is uniform
olive or dark green, the ventral surface whitish ; a roundish black spot is present on
ANABAS, 443
the body, just in front of the root of the caudal fin; pectoral and ventral fins of a pale
clear yellowish orange, the other fins greyish brown; iris bronzy or copper-colour
The black blotch in front of the caudal fin may be quite indistinct in living specimens.
Total length 160 millimetres.
‘a
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
| 1 2 3. 4 5
Total length (without caudal) .3:.54-. «255+ reece ete ues ees 123 95 87 Ags 65
Greatest: depth or body ices cae ces oi een ee ee ees ee 50 4] 37 33 27
| Soneth of Reade co ye eee BB. 88 Sao 4 Sees oa
| Width of head 273, Suseteaces ore eee Oe | Bb ay ay 4 ae
Leneth of note: sot = ee es ee ee ce ee eee iz a 6 6 D |
| Diameter Ol 6¥G-2 sq.s ee rete eer ota ies eae he EPs 9 vs ys 7 6 |
Intavorbital: widtl:.o5. 25 cakes ee er ee 13 i 10 a 8 |
| Length of last dorsal spine .......... TGs EEA o ee eee an ee 15 14 13 13 1B |
e lonpest solt-donsel PAY jcc ous ps cence 5 fa ae ee 26 19 18 17 15
wii astiatial spine. elves he ae ae WGP eR a ere 7s
| fe longest S0b 2NBUTay as sate ee ee eet 26 20 20 15 16
Number-of dorecainpiies- ste ao ae os eee a 18 18 17 18 18 |
| = sa. 2 ROPE RV Es Se en tc ene cee a eee Ss, 10 10 9 10 |
i RIE BOTCON yo ooo ae xe BPP eee ee ee 10 10 10 10 10 |
i a re 7 eee Pee eee rr rene agra ce 11 10 10 10 |
“3 scales inva longitudinal series = C3 55s 04 gee Penge 29 30 28 28 28 |
|
1. Gondokoro.—Petherick. (Type.) 2,4,5. Fashoda.—Loat.
3. Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat.
I have counted the fin-rays in twenty specimens, without finding any variation in
the number of anal spines (constantly 10); twelve specimens have 10 soft anal rays,
eight have 11. In the dorsal fin I find the following variation in the number of
rays :—Fifteen specimens, including the type, have XVIII 10, two have XVII 10,
one has XVIII 9, one has XIX 10, and one has XIX 8.
SL
444 ANABANTID 2.
Anabas pethericit is known from Gondokoro and the White Nile, where Mr. Loat
obtained twenty specimens at Fashuda (19-20.3.01) and four at Gharb-el-Aish (7.4.01).
I have also examined a specimen from Lake Chad (Capt. Gosling, 1905) *.
Two species were confounded by Giinther in his original description, only the
adult figured by him in Petherick’s work being retained under the name proposed by
him, the supposed young, three in number, belonging to a distinct species which I
have pleasure in naming after Dr. J. Murie, who accompanied the Pethericks +o
Gondokoro and did most of the collecting. ‘The specimens from the Gaboon, referred
later by Gunther to his Ctenopoma petherict, belong to the closely allied A. kingsleya,
Gthr., which occurs in West Africa from the Gambia to the Congo.
2, ANABAS MURIETI.
(Plate LA XXIII. fig. 2.)
Ctenopoma petherici, part., Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xiii. 1864, p. 211, and Petherick’s
Trav ite p. 208 (1869).
Anabas petherici, Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 185.
Anabas muriei, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xviii. 1906, p. 348.
Very closely allied to the preceding, but smaller, not exceeding a length of 80 milli-
metres, less deep in the body, the depth not exceeding the length of the head, which
is three times, or a little less than three times, in the total length, serrature of the
interoperculum often absent, ventral fin sometimes extending beyond the first anal
spine, dorsal spines fewer, and coloration different.
Dorsal fin with 14 to 16 spines and 8 to 10 soft rays, anal fin with 9 to 11 spines
and 8 to 11 soft rays. J have counted the fin-rays in sixty-three specimens. Dorsal
XIV 8 occurs once, XV 8 eight times, XV 9 nineteen times, XV 10 once, XVI 7
once, XVI 8 twenty-three times, XVI 9 ten times. Anal IX 10 occurs three times,
IX 11 five times, X 8 three times, X 9 twenty-three times, X 10 seventeen times,
X 11 once, XI 8 twice, XI 9 seven times, and XI 10 twice. 27 or 28 scales in a
° ° ® o e ° e 13-16
longitudinal series, 5;5 1n a transverse series ; lateral lines 7)75.
Numerous small black spots on the body; a blackish ocellar spot edged with
yellowish at the root of, and partly upon, the caudal fin.
The habitat of this species extends from the White Nile to Lake Victoria. I have
examined the following specimens :— -
1 Kaka, White Nile—Loat, 17.4.01.
102 Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile, in a kore.—Loat, 6-14.4.01.
* The fin-formula in this specimen is D. XVIII 10, A. X 11.
ANABAS, AGO
3 Gondokoro.—Petherick, 1862. (Types of C. petherici.)
1 Bujeju, South Buddu, Uganda.—M. T. Dawe, 1905.
1 Bunjako, Lake Victoria.—Degen, 14.11.05.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4, 5 6 Gs
Total length (without caudal) ........ et teen es 65 63 60 55 50 44, 40
Greatest depth of body 325 24 Sd cee ee 23 22 22 18 17 ie: 13
Potigih Of Need “see ee ee ee by | BD) Go| ie <1 is 15 | 13
Woodth-of 208d 3.0: fec2 pee oes ce aittnd painicas 14 14 14 a2 11 9 8
Length-of snotit=< <5 sac65 os Gye re a ree 4 4 4 3 3 3 23
Diameter Ob B+ je vie esa eee Sa ee 5 5 5 5 5. 4 4
Tnterorbital Widtlt 23: . tage bce cere ee 7 6 7 6 6 5 4i
Jaength of last. doraal spine: 4 5.44 aval saad web oo 9 8 9 8 7 6 5
$9 longest soft dorsal ray ........... roe gras are 11 11 11 9 8 7
A last anal epmie: 9345-05 354 onl oe 9 8 9 8 8 6 5
4 longest sert-anal Taya v5... cee a 1s 11 12 12 9 8 8
Number ot dorsal spines. 9.45 ¢.23 ce st ee ee 15 15 15 16 15 16 15
= Re ot ee. een ee ry nae ee ee as 9 10 8 8 9 7 9
as alg SHINER: s)..5 X6Ges so oie gat meee: 9 10 10 E 10 10 10
, aS ae ee oe 11 AS ees ees: rena 9
= scales in a longitudinal series.......... 27 28 27 28 28 27 27
1,4, 7. Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat. 3. Kaka.—Loat.
2. Bunjako, L. Victoria.—Degen. 0, 6. Gondokoro.—Petherick.
“ Clenopoma petherict” is recorded from Lake Albert Edward (Coll. Stuhlmann).
by Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 8; but, as the diagnosis is a mere translation
of Giinther’s, it is impossible to say whether this record applies to A. petherict or to
A, murveér.
446 SERRANID-®.
Ato AN OPT i Ye
SERRANIDZE.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. Lower pharyngeal
bones usually separate. ‘Iwo nostrils on each side. Second suborbital bone with an
internal lamina supporting the globe of the eye. Gill-membranes free from isthmus ;
gills four, a slit behind thefourth. Pectoral fins with the pterygials longer than broad,
more or less regularly hourglass-shaped. Ventral fins thoracic, with one spine and five
soft rays. Dorsal and anal fins usually with strong, pungent spines; soft portion of
dorsal usually not much more developed than the anal. Anterior vertebre without
transverse processes ; all or most of the ribs inserted on the transverse processes where
these are developed. Air-bladder present. iar S |
The Serranide are very closely related to the Percide, and are usually designated
as the Sea-Perches, most of the forms being marine, whilst the true Perches are almost
exclusively inhabitants of the fresh waters of Europe, Northern Asia, and North
America. A few of the Serranide are, however, freshwater fishes, such as the three
species of Lates inhabiting Africa; whilst some of the Sea-Bass of the genus J/orone
occasionally enter fresh waters.
These fishes are essentially carnivorous and often of ferocious habits; owing to their
large size, many are dangerous to men bathing.
Two genera are represented in Egypt, by species which rank among the very best
eating.
| 1. MORONE.
Mitchell, Rep. Fish. N. York, p. 18 (1814), part. ; Boulenger, Cat. Fish. 1. p. 125 (1895).
Roccus, Mitchell, op. cit. p. 25.
Labraz (non Pallas), Cuvier & Valenciennes, ist. Poiss. ii. p. 55 (1828); Giinther, Cat. Fish. i.
p. 63 (1859).
Dicentrarchus, Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1860, p. 115.
Body compressed; scales moderate or rather large, smooth, ciliated ; lateral line
complete, extending on the caudal fin. Mouth moderate or rather large ; maxillary
exposed, without supplemental bone; villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer and
MORONE. 447
palatines; tongue with patches of teeth. Head scaly; preoperculum serrated ;
operculum with two spines. ‘Iwo dorsal fins, contiguous or narrowly separated, with
VIII-X, I-IT 11-14 rays, the first a little longer than the second. Anal fin short,
with JIL 8-12 rays. Pectoral fin asymmetrical, obtusely pointed. Vertebre 295
(12+13).
Atlantic coasts of Europe, North-west Africa, and North America; Mediterranean ;
fresh waters of North America (Mississippi and eastwards). Only six species are
known, four of which are American.
Although strictly speaking marine, the two species here dealt with are included in
the account of the freshwater fishes on the same grounds as the Grey Mullets, which
similarly occasionally migrate up the Lower Nile.
1. MORONE LABRAX
Perca labraz, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 482 (1766) ; Donovan, Brit. Fish. ii. pl. xliii. (1802).
Perca punctata, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 1311 (1789),
Sciena labrax, Bloch, Nat. Ausl. Fische, vi. p. 52, pl. ecci. (1792).
Sctena diacantha, Bloch, t. ce. p. 58, pl. cecil.
Perca diacantha, Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichth. i. p. 85 (1801).
Centropomus lupus, Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. iv. p. 267 (1802).
Perca elongata, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. pl. xix. fig. 1 (1809).
Perea sinuosa, 1. Geoffroy, op. cit. p. 316, pl. xx. fig. 3.
Labrax lupus, Cuvier & ‘Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 56, pl. ii. (1828) ; Yarrell, Brit. Fish. i.
p. 6, fig. (1836) ; Bonaparte, Icon. Faun. Ital., Pesci (1836) ; Kroyer, Danm. Fisk. i. p. 23
(1838) ; Costa, Faun. Nap., Pesci, pl. v. (1850); Giinther, Cat. Fish. i. p. 63 (1859) : Stein.
dachner, Verh, zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xii, 1862, p. 496; Couch, Brit. Fish. i. p. 189, pl. xl,
(1862); Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xu. 18638, p. 175; Brito Capello, Jorn. Se. Lisb.
i. 1867, p. 154, figs. ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lvi. 1. 1867, p. 606 ; Canestrini, Faun.
Ital., Pesci, p. 78 (1874); Collett, Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, no. 3, p. 15 (1875); Day,
Fish. Gr. Brit. p. 8, pl. ii. (1880) ; Moreau, Poiss. France, ii. p. 333 (1881) ; Lilljeborg, Sver.
Norg. Fisk. i. p. 55 (1881); Mobius & Heincke, Fische Ostsee, p. 31 (1883); Doderlein,
‘Man. Ittiol. Medit. iv. p. 16 (1889).
Labrax elongatus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, t. ¢. p. 77 ; Giinther, t.c. p. 64.
Labrax vulgaris, Guérin, leon. Regne Anim., Poiss. pl.i. fig. 4 (1829).
Labrax diacanthus, Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1860, p. 110 ; Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1865, p. 96.
Dicentrarchus elongatus, Gill, t. e. p. 111.
Labrax linner, Malm, Goéteb. Bohusl. Faun. p. 379 (1877).
Lhcentrarchus labrax, Jordan & Higenmann, Bull. U.S. Fish Comm. viii 1890, p. 425.
Roceus labrax, Smitt, Scand. Fish. i. p. 45, fig. (1893).
Morone labrax, Boulenger, Cat. Fish. i. p. 180 (1895).
Depth of body three and two-thirds to four and a half times in the total length,
448 SERRANID.E.
length of head three to three and three-fourths times. Snout once and a half to twice
the diameter of the eye, which is five to seven times in the length of the head in the
adult ; interorbital space wide, covered with cycloid scales; lower jaw slightly
projecting ; maxillary bone extending to below the anterior third or the centre of the
eye, the width of its distal extremity three-fifths to three-fourths the diameter of
the eye; preorbital entire; 4 to 6 strong antrorse spines on the lower border of the
preoperculum; lower opercular spine stronger than the upper. Vomerine teeth
forming a crescentic group; a patch of teeth along the middle of the tongue and
others on the borders. Gill-rakers longer than the gill-fringes, 16 to 18 on lower
Pig. 32.
LY ra ANNe SAMAAN VI yy.
Saga yy wat KD Cy
Nh Yo nany LAA K vA AAS
CNA oN \ es 3. se K ¥) Or Aray ¥)
uA yay i Ras nae Ba.
is
c J
van 0) d
Morone labrax, from Lake Menzaleh. 3 natural size.
part of anterior arch. First dorsal fin with 8 or 9 strong spines, fourth and fifth
longest, two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the head; second dorsal fin with 1
or 2 spines and 12 or 13 soft rays. Pectoral fin two-fifths to half the length of the
head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 10 to 12 soft rays; third spine longest, one-fourth
to one-third the length of the head. Caudal fin emarginate, the middle rays about
two-thirds the length of the outer. 65 to 80 scales in a longitudinal series, corre-
sponding to the lateral line, a in a transverse series.
Silvery, back grey or olive, without spots in the adult, sometimes black-spotted in
the young and half-grown; a blackish spot at the end of the gill-cover.
Attains a length of 800 millimetres.
‘The Sea-Bass inhabits the Mediterranean and the coasts of Europe, as far north as
Finmark. It is mostly found at the mouths of rivers, which it may ascend for a short
distance. Mr. Loat obtained three specimens in Lake Menzaleh on May 16th, 1899,
and the British Museum has received from Capt. S. Flower a specimen caught at the
barrage a few miles north of Cairo, on March 2nd, 1904.
MORONE. 449
Measurements (in millimetres) and numéers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3
l Total lodath Cwitloubscaudal) <...c. eos. eecre eg pee 410 Beno 60)
Greatest depth:0r beady. -<..45,.assnesnumeco ene so ee ets 100 102 64
Denably.of heads arcies cas 2 ee Fes eee foe 108 | 112 82
Width of eadisey ss. ee ae 63 61 | 39
Length of snout «hp Tina fs ieee SS bd BEE 5d rates oe ete eee 33 | 33 | 22 |
Diawieter: G0 eye 2 ise ee ee ee ea ee ee We 17 | LG |
Interetbital wlil <3 vases 2 ee 8a oe eae 28 29 20 |
Leneth of lencest-dorsalspiie +4555 enon ss a ee 46 45 38 |
iz = Re RONG oy a een nak Se cies eee es 45 43 33 |
. POORUPHIE = 2 5i.o eae Spee ee oe eee eee 64 61 | 43
Num ber-of spines ndinst dorsal 55. messes Sooo ace ove 9 | 9 | 7
3 soll Tays-in- SeCOnd Oral 2.444). fe een ee 13 | bo | 12
5 a pet SEL, ° Se ee ea sp ge ye 10 | 10 | 10
A BCAIGS I taderak NO Ser ae ee ea eee 76 78 | 80
1,2. UL. Menzaleh.—Loat. | 3. Nile near Cairo.—F lower.
Mr. Loat observes that this fish may be found with roe from November till the end
of March, and that this roe is prepared as “ battarah,” and considered nearly as good
as that of the Bouri (Mugil cephalus).
2, MORONE PUNCTATA.
Sciena punctata, Bloch, Nat. Ausl. Fische, vi. p. 64, pl. ecev. (1792).
Perca punctulata, Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. iv. p. 418 (1802).
Perca punctata, I. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 316, pl. xx. fig. 2 (1827).
Labrax punctatus, Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (8) xii. 1863, p. 175; Brito Capello, Jorn. Se.
Lisb. 1. 1867, p. 154, figs. ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lvi. i. 1867, p. 607, and Ix. i. 1869,
p- 671; Moreau, Poiss. France, ii. p. 337, fig. (1881) ; Doderlein, Man. Ittiol. Medit. iv. p. 23
(1889) ; Bellotti, Aiti Soc. Ital. Sc. Nat. xxxii. 1891, p. 121.
Labrax orientalis, Giinther, 1. ¢.
Labax schoenleinti, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1865, p. 95, and 1866, p. 512.
450 SERRANID.
Dcentrarchus orientalis, Jordan & Higenmann, Bull. U.S. Fish Comm. viii. 1890, p. 425.
Dicentrarchus punctatus, Jordan & Higenmann, t. c. p. 426.
Morone punctata, Boulenger, Cat. Fish. i. p. 131 (1895).
Very closely allied to the preceding, but easily distinguished by the more triangular
shape of the group of vomerine teeth, which is often trilobed behind; the larger eye,
which is but slightly shorter than the snout and one-fourth to two-ninths the length of
the head and nearly equals the interorbital width in the adult; the presence of ctenoid
scales on the top of the head; and the larger scales on the body, which are in 58 to 65
longitudinal and ee transverse series. ©
Upper half of the body constantly spotted with black.
Reaches a length of 360 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4, | D 6
Leta leno tir Gwithout Cauca) .4 aes aus Aare aes 255 | 225 | 200 | 165 | 145 | 115
| GEOWbesveae DUM OLSON eAeiud: Micthameke sani. s as mea ee 67 60 52 43 42 32
| Length of head... 16.6.6 pte heed dere ea ee fa: 63 53 46 45 | 30
DAVEE nO ti telecre ophans ol Wma aude oa Soke ge 36 | 29 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 18
Tare BOL GIO E 5, <2 a onee laf ght ree oe oon os ae 18 17 15 12 12 9
iambter oie te iicet. ee Oe eerie c= eles 17 16 13 12 12 cee
Heiter ORO Uack WIG: ook a tomers wel enh ect Sere Gin ee aes skye 15 12 10 9 8 |
Length: of longest dorsal spine js /¢....44 5 43 .4bs uals Fa 37 37 28 25 25 19 |
J : ic cn @S ROLE NE Se? aie Bp MeMgs a go later td bE? bh 49 |
=: jeer an eee el eee Soe ee” SR ee an rae 40 38 at a7 23 21 |
DILMPOOE Or Splice 1 UiStsCOreal 24,085 v1. scala eh Sas 9 ae eae) ) 7) 7)
* soft rays in second dorsal ................+: 12 12 13 [2 13 13 |
3 ee Bo ane ek oes | pa US), ee ie | a |
e semles-iy brvetal line ile t-te s rd t's oty cate, 60 58 60 61 63 62 |
1,2. L. Menzaleh.—Loat. | 5,6. L. Borollos.—Loat.
3,4. Alexandria.—Petherick. (Types of L. orientalis.) |
This species inhabits the Mediterranean and the coasts of the Atlantic from
Normandy to Senegambia. According to Steindachner, it ascends the Senegal a good
MORONE.
Fig. 33.
Morone punctata, from Lake Menzaleh. 4 natural size.
deal beyond St. Louis in high-water time. In Egypt it is common in the salt lakes of
the Mediterranean coast, where Mr. Loat obtained numerous specimens in Lakes
Menzaleh (8.5-2.7.99), Borollos (8-7.11.99), and Mareotis (12.11.99). Specimens
obtained at Alexandria by Petherick have been described by Giinther as Labrax
orientalis. Geoffroy’s specimens came from Damietta. I am not aware that this fish
has been caught anywhere in fresh water in Egypt, but it probably occasionally extends
its wanderings into the Delta, like its congener Morone labraz.
452 SERRANID 2.
2. LATES,
Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 88 (1828); Giinther, Cat. Fish. i. p. 67 (1859);
Boulenger, Cat. Fish. i. p. 361 (1895), and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 380 (1901).
Body compressed ; scales moderate or small, finely denticulate; lateral line complete,
extending on the caudal fin. Mouth large; maxillary exposed, with supplemental
bone; villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer, palatines, and ectopterygoids; no teeth
on the tongue. Head scaly; preoperculum serrated ; operculum ending in a spine.
Two dorsal fins, subequal in length and connected at the base, with VII-VIII, I-I1
10-14 rays. Anal fin short, with ILI 8-9 rays. Dorsal and anal fins moving in a
more or less distinct scaly sheath. Pectoral fin short, symmetrical, rounded. A
produced pointed scale at the base of the ventral fin. Vertebre 25 (12-+-13).
Four species are known: one from the mouths of the rivers and coasts of South-
eastern Asia and North Australia, one from the Nile, Senegal, Niger, and Congo, and
two from Lake ‘Tanganyika.
1. LATES NILOTICUS.
(Plates LA XXIV. and LXXXY.)
Perca nilotica, Linneeus, in Hasselquist, Reise Palest. p. 404 (1762), and Syst. Nat.i. p. 483 (1766);
Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 292, pl. xxii. fig. 3 (1799).
Centropomus niloticus, Lacepede, Hist. Poiss. iv. p. 277 (1802).
Perca latus, 1. Geoffroy, Descr. Egypt, Poiss. p. 280, pl. 1x. fig. 1 (1827).
Lates niloticus, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. 11. p. 89 (1828), and iii. p. 490 (1829) ; Giinther,
Cat. Fish. 1. p. 67 (1859), and Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 207 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak.
Wien, lx. i. 1869, p. 672, pl. i. ; Boulenger, Cat. Fish. i. p. 362 (1895) ; Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-
Afr., Fische, p. 2, fig. (1896); Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 381 (1901); Lortet &
Gaillard, Arch. Mus. Lyon, viii. 1903, p. 188, figs.
Depth of body twice and a half to four times in the total length, length of head twice
and three-fourths to three and a half times; shape very variable, the upper outline of
the head usually more or less concave. Snout rounded, as long as or a little longer
than the eye (much longer in very large specimens); lower Jaw projecting ; diameter
of the eye four (young) to seven times in the length of the head, four-fifths to once
and one-third in interorbital width; maxillary extending to below the posterior border
of the eye or beyond, the width of its distal extremity at least three-fourths the
diameter of the eye; prz- and suborbitals finely serrated; cheek, gill-cover, and
LATES, 453
occiput with large scales; preopercular border forming nearly a right angle, finely
serrated on its vertical limb, with three or four strong spines on its lower limb, and
with one or two still stronger spines at its angle; a single opercular spine; clavicle
with some strong denticulations above the base of the pectoral fin. Giull-rakers rather
long, 15 to 17 (including knob-like rudiments) on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal
fin with 7 or 8 spines in the first division and | or 2 spines and 10 to 14 soft rays
(usually 11 or 12 in specimens from the Nile) in the second *; spines strong, first and
second short, third very strong, longest one-third (adult) to two-thirds (young) the
length of the head, usually as long as or longer than the longest soft rays. Anal fin
with 3 spines and 8 or 9 (rarely 7) soft rays; spines short, third longest. Pectoral fin
nearly one-half to three-fifths the length of the head. Caudal fin rounded. All the
soft rays of the vertical fins more or less densely scaled, at least at the base. Caudal
peduncle as long as deep or a little longer than deep. Scales rugose with small
denticles on the posterior part of the exposed surface, 60 to 80 in the lateral line,
ae in a transverse series.
Uniform brown or olive above in the adult, silvery beneath, sometimes tinged with
yellow, young usually (occasionally up to a length of 250 millimetres) marbled
with brown, sometimes uniform; very young specimens (under 70 millimetres) with
more or less irregular dark brown cross-bands, the first of which extends on the
deepest part of the dorsal fin; fins whitish, dark at the base in the young. Mr. Loat’s
sketch of one of these young, 70 millimetres long, is pale lilac above, the marblings
and bars black; iris greyish.
Specimens from the Congo have the scales rather larger, therefore less numerous
(60-70 a) than those from the Nile (65-80 ea and the soft dorsal rays number
12 to 14. I have counted the fin-rays in fifty specimens from the Nile and find the
dorsal formula to be once VII, 1 15, twice VII, 1 11, three times VIII, I 12, ten times
VII, IL 11, sixteen times VIJ, I 12, and eighteen times VITI,1I 11; anal soft rays
twice 7, ten times 9, and thirty-eight times 8.
According to Dr. Steindachner, this fish reaches a length of 1 m. 80 in the Senegal, and
Mr. Loat mentions having seen one of the same size from the Sobat. Mr. J. J. Lister
has submitted to me a photograph of a specimen from the Birket-Karun, Fayum,
measuring | m. 27, anda skeleton from the same lake presented to the British Museum
by Dr. John Anderson (figured Pl. LXAXXV. d) measures 1m. 40, the weight of such
a fish being 140 lbs.
Lates niloticus has a wide distribution, being found throughout the Nile from its
mouths to Lake Albert, where it was first observed by Sir Samuel Baker} (but
* The two divisions being connected at the base it is often somewhat arbitrary to decide whether one
of the intermediate spines belongs to the first or to the second.
+ The Albert N’yanza, ii. p. 131, fig. (1866).
SERRANIDA,
454
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LATES. 455
apparently absent from Lake Victoria), in the Chad Basin, in the Senegal, the Niger,
and the Congo. |
The following series of specimens has been at my disposal :—
Lake Menzaleh.—Dr. J. C. Mitchell, 1895.
Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara, L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 8-11.6.99.
Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
Samannud.—Loat, 138-22.7.99.
Shuba, N. of Cairo.—Loat, 20.3.99.
Barrage N. of Cairo, bought in Boulak Fish Bazar.—Loat, 20.3.99.
Nile near Cairo, upstream side of barrage.—Loat, 4.8.99.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 13-30.8.99.
Birket Karun, Fayum.—Dr. J. Anderson, 1894.
Birket Karun.—Loat, 29.9-1.10.99.
At regulators near Luxor.—Loat, 3-12.11.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 26-30.9.00.
Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 12—-14.3.00.
Khartum.—Petherick, 1862.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Fashoda, in a kore.—Loat, 16.3.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 4.2.01-1.4.01.
Lake No.—Loat, 22.2-4.3.01.
Tsutyaba, Lake Albert.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
R. Shari-wasu, at Maidugari.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
R. Yo, Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
St. Louis, Senegal.— Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Niger.— Dalton, 1864.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Erpton, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
Boma, Lower Congo.—Capt. Wilverth, 1897.
Dolo, Stanley Pool.—Delhez, 1899.
Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1899.
Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1901.
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Mr. Loat says that Lates niloticus occurs in fair numbers in Lake Menzaleh, but
only during the high Nile, and that it is particularly numerous in the Birket Karun.
He further observes :—
“It is but rarely that one comes across large specimens, as during the three years in
which I was engaged in making the Nile Fish Survey, I only saw two examples of
unusual size: one was at Assuan, which measured above 4 ft. in length, although I
456 SERRANIDZA.
was told that occasionally much larger specimens were caught there; but as an Arab’s
idea of measurement is somewhat vague, too much reliance cannot he placed on what
he says. ‘The other was a splendid fish, obtained a few miles up the Sobat River by
Captain Bainbridge, who kindly supplied me with the following measurements: length,
6 ft. Lin.; girth, 4 ft. 7 in.; and 2663 Ibs. in weight. The only other place where I
obtained information as to large specimens being obtained was in the Fayum, on the
shores of the large lake known as the Birket Karun.
‘In winter far more fish are caught in the Birket Karun than in summer, owing,
so the fishermen say, to the fact that in winter the fish come nearer the surface or into
the shallow water; while in the summer they keep to the cooler deep water (the lake
being very deep in places), which cannot be worked with nets.”
Capt. 8. Flower has made the following observations * on the Lates, or “Jshr,”
as it is called at Cairo :—
‘In the last months of 1901 and earlier part of 1902, when experiments were being
made in keeping the Nile fish in captivity, this species appeared to be the most
difficult of all to manage. Large specimens, caught and put in the Aquarium tanks,
although they would feed, would only live a few days or weeks; but when in the
early autumn of 1902 the young Lates of the year appeared in the Selamlik Canal
of the Zoological Gardens several were caught and taken to the Aquarium, where
some flourished and grew rapidly in size, while others completely vanished, and there
is little doubt they were eaten by their brethren.
“There are now (5th March, 1904) in the Aquarium in Tank No. 5 one very small
Ishr, in No. 7 one medium-sized Specimen caught in the Esbekia Lake 12th
September 1903, in No. 20 four young individuals, the largest about 104 inches
in total length (one at least of these has been in this tank since October 1902), and
in ‘Tank No. 24 there is also one small specimen.
“Their natural food appears to be live fish only, but it is found they will eat freshly
dead fish, such as Alestes, thrown into the tanks, seizing them as they sink and
swallowing them whole. One of the most noticeable points about the Ishr is its
gleaming eyes, which in some lights glow red like dull signal lamps; another is its
power of rapidly changing its colour, and the appearance and disappearance of dark
markings all over the sides of the body—further observations are wanted concerning
when and how this is carried out.
‘As is well known this species attains to a great size, but it 1s surprising how large
it grows in quite small pieces of water. It occurs in both the Haremlik and Selamlik
waters of the Zoological Gardens. On the morning of 3rd February 1904, after
a very cold night, a specimen was found dead in the Lotus Lake which measured
in total length 43% inches (1:114 metres) and weighed 36°37 lbs. (16°5 kilog.). On the
12th September 1903, when the Esbekia Lake was emptied many small and medium-
* Rep. Zool. Gard. Giza, v. 1904, p. 48.
LATES. 4907
sized Lates were caught and one monster who measured in a straight line from point
of lower jaw to end of tail-fin 48 inches (1°219 metres) and weighed 55 Ibs. (25 kilos.).”
?
List of native names, as noted by Mr. Loat :—“ Homar” ( jas) or ‘“ homar-el-bahr ’
( yal j=), near Lake Menzaleh; shiffa” (\a&), at Samannud, Beni-Souef; “ shiffag ”
(sah) and ‘“latis” (_ pb), at Assiut; “ leffash” (_s\a)) for big specimens, and “ cece ”
( _~) for small specimens, in the Fayum; “?shr eat py!) at Kafr-el-Zayat, Cairo,
Barrage N. of Cairo; “ farkh ishr” (pil ~ J); at Cairo; “sdmoosé”’ (, lw),
at Assuan; “gul’berr” or “ kubbar” (_,5) (“lark”), at Kosheh; “ aigle ” (desc), at
Omdurman.
This is the fish for which the ancient Egyptians had the greatest veneration, and
numerous are the mummified remains which have been found, especially at Esneh,
where the fish was worshipped, for which reason that city received during the
Greco-Roman occupation the name of Latopolis. ‘The method used in preparing these
mummies has been described by Lortet and Gaillard *. It is curious that neither the
authors of the great Napoleonic work ‘ Description de l’Kgypte’ nor Cuvier were
aware of the existence of mummies of Lates; nor did Sonnini, when first pointing out
the connection between this fish and the name Latopolis, allude to any preserved
remains. However, a great many have since been found at Esneh, and described by
Lortet and Gaillard and Gaillard and Duressy +, and I have seen quite a number,
small and large, in the possession of Mr. R. de Rustafjaell. ‘T'wo specimens, from
Thebes, are preserved in the private collection of Mr. Hilton Price ff. 3
Numerous specimens, measuring up to 5% feet, were exhumed by Mr. Loat § from
the animal cemetery of Medinet Gurob, on the border of the Province of the Fayum,
in 1903. Mr. Loat observes :—
“The portion of the cemetery devoted to fish burials differed in several points from
that in which the oxen and goats were buried. For one thing the pits were more
carefully dug, many being occupied by a single fish, and in those cases in which two
or more were buried together, a certain arrangement was observed; they were either
side by side, or in layers, and sometimes head to tail. Another point of difference
lies in the fact that in nearly every case where fish were concerned a packing of fine
erass ashes, probably ‘ halfa,’ was used as a preservative.
“The fish was placed on a thick layer of this, and covered up with the same material ;
while in the case of large specimens the mouth and openings behind the gill-covers
were packed with the same.
* Arch. Mus. Lyon, viii, 1903, p. 185, figs.
+ Catal. Gén. des Antiquités Egyptiennes du Musée du Caire (Cairo, 1905, 4to), no. 29501, &e.
t Cf. his Catalogue of Egyptian Antiquities, 1897, p. 230.
§ L. Loat, Gurob, Egyptian Research Account, x. 1904, p. 3.
CD
A,
458 SERRANIDA.
“In a few of the largest fish, a slit had been made along the ventral surface of the
body, and the cavity was stuffed with ashes.
“The greater number of the fish were Lates niloticus, sometimes known by the name
of the Nile Perch; a few specimens of three other well-known Nile species were also
found, but in no case were different species placed together in the same pit. A few
specimens were found wrapped in cloth.”
In 1899, I was shown by Mr. E. Towry Whyte a bronze model, 115 millimetres long,
which at once suggested to me a young Lates niloticus. This model contained a
mummy of a small fish, the loose bones of which I have been able to examine and to
identify as those of a young Lates *.
Dr. J. Pellegrin f has also reported on mummies of this fish obtained by M. Chantre
in Upper Egypt. |
Paintings of Lates niloticus occur on the south wall of Medum { and in the tombs of
Deir el Gebrawi §, whilst an unmistakable representation of the fish is seen on Greek
coins of Latopolis, 2000 B.c. ||. :
* Mr. Towry Whyte has recorded this interesting object in Proc. Soc. Bibl. Archwol. xxi. 1899, p. 82,
with a figure of the bronze.
Y Bull. Mus. Paris, 1900, p. 175.
% Cf. Flinders Petrie, Medum (London, 1902, 4to), pl. xii.
§ Of. N. de G. Davis, Deir el Gebrawi (London, 1902, 4to), 1. pls. ii., iv., v., and ii. pl. v.
I Cf. Russegger’s Reise Egypt. ii. p. 320, fig. (Stuttgart, 1846, 8vo).
CICHLIDE. 459
CICHLIDZ.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. Lower pharyngeal
bones more or less completely united, with median suture *, A single nostril on each
side. No suborbital lamina supporting the globe of the eye. Gill-membranes free
from isthmus; gills four, a slit behind the fourth. Pectoral fin with the pterygials
longer than broad, more or less regularly hourglass-shaped. Ventral fins thoracic,
with one spine and five soft rays. Dorsal and anal fins with strong, pungent spines.
Vertebre with transverse processes from the third; ribs most frequently sessile or sub-
sessile. Air-bladder present.
Fresh- or brackish-water Fishes, some carnivorous, others chiefly herbivorous, inhabit-
ing Central and South America, Africa (including Madagascar), Syria, and India and
Ceylon. ‘These Fishes have often been distinguished as ‘‘ Chromides,’ a name which
properly pertains to their marine allies the Pomacentride.
This is one of the largest and most interesting families of the African fresh waters.
A few years ago only about twenty species were known from Africa; we now
distinguish something like two hundred and ten species from that part of the world,
referred to about thirty-five genera. Most of the genera are based on the dentition,
which shows most extraordinary modifications, especially in Lake Tanganyika, the
fish-fauna of which consists chiefly of members of this family.
The habits of these fishes are also highly interesting, many sheltering their eggs and
young in the mouth and pharynx. ‘This parental care, which was formerly believed to
devolve on the male, appears to be invariably undertaken by the female, at least in the
African members of the family. |
Some years ago I pointed outf that the distinction of genera according to the
dentition, whether the teeth are conical or bi- or tricuspid, was not without presenting
some difficulties, some species showing bi- or tricuspid teeth when young and unicuspid
teeth when adult. These difficulties have further increased as our knowledge has
progressed, and have been brought to a climax by the enormous collection of Cichlids
made by Mr. Degen in Lake Victoria in 19090. The study of this collection has been
a bewildering one to me, specimens evidently of the same species showing every
possible grade between the two extreme types of dentition according to age and even
in individuals of the same size. It is evident that the shape of the teeth is oftena very
* Cf, PL ACLY. fies, b~d.
T Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 393.—See also Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 87.
3 N 2
4.60 CICHLID.
unsafe guide for the determination of species, and yet, in the absence of other characters,
I have felt compelled to maintain the old generic divisions, after modifying their
definitions. Of the genera here dealt with as having representatives in the Nile system
it is necessary to observe that Hemzchromis passes completely into Paratilapia, which
leads, almost without gaps, to Pelmatochromis on the one hand, to Haplochromis on the
other, the latter passing into Tilapia, which again merges into Petrochromis. ‘hese
generic divisions are unsatisfactory, but they are the best I can suggest at present.
The number of anal spines, as a generic character, has proved of even less importance
than I previously supposed.
As observed abore, the greatest difficulties are encountered in dealing with the
Cichlids of Lake Victoria. It would seem as if the forms inhabiting that great lake
had sprung from a small number of original types which had been isolated in its waters
and had been modified into a multitude of species according to lines of evolution different
from those followed by other colonies, such as the remarkable set of Lake Tanganyika,
and contrary to the rules laid down in ichthyological systems. This view is borne out
by the striking resemblance in scale- and fin-formulas and even in markings of most of
the species of Lake Victoria and also by the fact that two or three only of these species
are identical with or very closely related to forms occurring in neighbouring rivers.
The characters of the seven genera here dealt with may be thus contrasted :—
I. Maxillary bone exposed at the end when the mouth is closed ; outer teeth unicuspid, at least
in the adult. |
Teeth in one, two, or rarely three series in each jaw; scales cycloid . 1. Hemichromis, Peters.
Teeth in three or more series in each jaw ; scales usually ctenoid ; no
bo
very prominent papillose pad on eacn side of the pharynx . Paratilapia, Blkr.
Teeth in two or more series in each jaw; scales ctenoid ; a very
prominent papillose pad on each side of the pharynx, strongly
projecting in front of the upper branch of the first branchial
CEL cee a ee ae ee ge ee Se ee re ee ee CMO OCN TOMS, Otdr.
II. A very small part of the maxillary exposed when the mouth is
closed ; Jaws with very broad bands of small conical teeth, the
band in the upper jaw horseshoe-shaped . . . . . . . . 4. Platyteniodus, Bler.
III. Maxillary bone exposed at the end when the mouth is closed ;
teeth uni-, bi- or tricuspid ; scales ctenoid . . . . . . . 5. Haplochromis, Hilg.
IV. Maxillary bone entirely or nearly entirely concealed when the mouth is closed ; teeth bi- or
tricuspid.
Outer teeth bicuspid age eae ee ee Ge 6. Tilapra, A. Smith.
All the teeth tricuspid, forming very broad bands . . . . . . . 4@..Petrochromis, Blgr.
Of these seven genera three only are represented in the Nile proper.
HEMICHROMIS. | A461
1. HEMICHROMIS.
Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1857, p. 403 ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 134, and Poiss. Bass.
Congo, p. 409 (1901) ; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904,
p. 292.
Teeth conical, in one series, or with one, very rarely two,
series of a few very small teeth behind the outer; the
two median outer teeth often larger than the others ”*.
Maxillary bone exposed at the end when the mouth is closed.
Body short or moderately elongate ; scales cycloid; two
lateral lines. Dorsal fin with 13 to 15 spines, anal with 3.
Vertebree 26-28 (14-15-+4 12-13).
This genus comprises three or four species from Africa,
one of which occurs in the Nile and has a wide distribution
in North and Tropical Africa.
Dentition of
Hemichromis bimaculatus.
\
1. HEMICHROMIS BIMACULATUS.
(Plate LXXXVI. fig. 1.)
Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 137 ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. iv. p. 275 (1862) ; Steindachner, Sitzb.
Ak. Wien, lx. i. 1870, p. 972, pl. i. fig. 5; Sauvage, N. Arch. Mus. (2) iii. 1880, p. 35, pl. 11.
fig. 1; Steindachner, Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 49; Giinther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6)
xvii. 1896, p. 272 ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 135, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 411
(1901) ; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 255.
Lemichromis guttatus, Giinther, Cat. t. c. p. 279.
Hemichromis letourneuaii, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) iv. 1880, p. 212.
Hemichromis sahare, Sauvage, t. c. p. 226; Rolland, Rev. Scientif. (4) 1. 1904, p. 418, fig.
Hemichromis rolandi, Sauvage, op. cit. v. 1881, p. 103; Rolland, I. ¢.
Depth of body twice and one-third to three times in the total length, length of head
twice and four-fifths to three and one-sixth times. Snout with straight or convex
upper profile, as long as or a little longer than the eye (shorter in the very young), the
diameter of which is contained twice and a half (young) to four times in the length of
* Not or hardly noticeable in many specimens of H. bimaculatus, which may be regarded as a connecting-
link between the type species of Hemichromis (H. fasciatus, Peters) and Paratilapta.
462 CICHLIDZ.
the head and once to once and one-third in the interorbital width; maxillary extending
to below the anterior border of the eye, or not quite so far; teeth small, brown at the
tip, 30 to 50 in the outer series of the upper jaw in the adult, 20 to 30 in the young,
28 to 40 in the outer series of the lower jaw in the adult, 20 to 25 in the young; the
median pair of teeth, in both jaws, not or but feebly enlarged ; usually one, very rarely
two series of minute teeth, if any, behind the outer row; three or four, rarely five,
series of scales on the cheek; large scales on the operculum, which terminates in a
scaleless sclerous lobe. Gill-rakers short, 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch.
Dorsal fin with 14 or 15 (rarely 13) spines and 10 or 11 (rarely 9 or 13) soft rays ;
spines increasing in length to the last, which measures two-fifths to one-half the length
of the head and three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the longest soft rays. Anal
fin with 3 spines and 8 (rarely 7 or 9) soft rays; third spine longest, as long as or
shorter than the longest spines of the dorsal. Pectoral fin obtusely pointed, three-
fifths to four-fifths the length of the head. Ventral fin produced into a filament,
reaching the vent or the anal fin. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle a little
deeper than long. Scales cycloid, 25 to 29 in a longitudinal series, = in a transverse
series ; 15 to 19 scales in the upper lateral line, 7 to 11 in the lower.
Preserved in spirit, the fish is yellowish brown, with a black spot on the gill-cover,
another on the middle of the side of the body, and often a third at the base of the
caudal fin ; ill-defined dark cross-bands may be present on the body; the dark spots
may be surrounded by a light area; small, irregular dark spots are sometimes present
on the posterior part of the body; the vertical fins are greyish white, edged with
brown. <A sketch made by Mr. Loat at the mouth of Lake No represents the fish as
brown above and pink beneath dotted with pale blue, with crimson on the cheek and
gill-cover and round the base of the pectoral fin, which is pale yellow; the vertical
fins greyish dotted with crimson and pale blue ; iris golden. |
Delhez’s sketch made on the Congo represents the upper parts dark brown, the
lower yellow; sky-blue dots on the head and body; the blue-black opercular spot
edged with orange; pectoral and anal fins yellowish, dorsal and anal and rays of the
caudal crimson ; iris crimson with a golden circle round the pupil.
A very large specimen from the Gambia, which | saw alive in Capt. Vipan’s
aquarium, had the body pale olive, the head, the belly, the dorsal fin, and the base of:
the anal and ventrals bright scarlet, the caudal fin, the last rays of the dorsal, and the
ereater part of the anal and ventrals purplish grey *.
The largest specimen from the Nile measures 90 millimetres, and as a rule the
species does not much exceed that length. But a specimen procured by Mr, Budgett
* Mr. Loat has noted that this fish undergoes a rapid change of colour when immersed in spirit, the
fins and the lower parts of the head and body turning to a bright scarlet, which dyes the alcohol a
dull red.
463
HEMICHROMIS.
(a.unyvs H jo odky) ‘puryoy—euespy “any poem “OT “Feo"T—"O TIN OFFY MM.
(‘wanau.inoza) "FT Jo ody)
"qvO'T —OTINT OV MA “VYVIE “PT *xnouInojeyT — ‘stjooivp, “Ty
(epunjos 77 yo edky,) “purljoy—eiresyy “ANT PEM °6 ‘YSTV-T2-q28U “EL “GT “IT *8 “9 “g
OL 8 OL OL 6 6 Q Q sieeve eintesie waite tale cals
I>
o>
Ol | 6 L
i=
eGo ie a Cee lee Ciena eee cee 4 OT, OE Oe NE odd, (eae ee ee
BO Gr 2G OG eG Gn GG Pele? | War LG hi BE GO PIG ie LG “ho SG
el 6 EL ight oe OT IL IL 8 EL OL Tt OL OL (LPS aie Sg 27
Hee Ne fan 2) SSG CUTE vo ca) ce [Ue 2 ed Mil ce Pape Ge nme Ca i a aa ca ne ae al gel og ac
iS L 8 6 —%é OME OT lp oe ae Cn esa gc A pdt Com
Cu eee Omer ere lame Oi | cis Ss | ee, Ge, Sa cle Lok GG) hae tg ee
ee eel ee eee ee ROE eer ie a che Oe a a ees ee Yee eS
Pe? | ome eee ee Oe OL Pe eT Se Gk Chae Otol Le. fee
622) Gee Tot ae ale 6 hee el. 2, eC ietnige | Wade Oars wager es
Ue eee Pewee ree OP be oy Oy ain de Bea BC Bast he EL Seger cies
eal ges tp aie F ree Bae de eh AL eo a Re ea OE renin it:
ee Cae ere re eRe oe yl eee ek Gio eee as
¢ G 9 u 8 8 Se gets een mI tegen. oe ears) Gael hoor ee cue
8 Cee en. 8 ot | OE) 6L| Fe.) Ge.) Te.) 4ee | ee) Ge
i)
It
SS
8)
S
S
|
S
N
ml
apaeere Voulinen Orie ei] SP) OG) GO to Oe
‘Sy90 4 —‘OSU0D ‘oquiesuo, ‘Ff
‘os.10SUW—'IOSIN ‘OGY “Ee
‘sutydo}y—‘euoary virerg ‘UMoJoonT “zg
‘}espng—equry *|
OUI] [B4104B] LOMOT Py i
' eull [ereqzey aaddn -
SOLIS [VUIPN}LSUO] UT seTeos Ze
das Re tah ate ‘+ ger peur “ 66
eee ea
Rote > a. ‘+ sourds [esaop jo Jaquinyy
ete uetist ee [eroqaod 66
ea eet * AVI [VUB 4ZOS ysasUOT ne
Fiat frac eee euids vue paryy 66
verse AVI [BsIOp JJOs ysasuoy] sie
Seen eee ees oulds [es1op 4sv| Jo yysuery
Deer ane udtemiae’ Rep h tga QApPIM [VyIqLO194UT
oo ee ee eo oo ee oe ee oe oO aXe JO 1ojomBiq,
eee ee ee ee oe oe oe ow qnous jo y4suUeT
CY peey Fo YIPIM.
so Ronit» peak, see A ae ey
** poq jo yydep 4sozve14
sresese ss (Tepmeo qnoyqta) qySu9y [eo 7,
FL neal Gl Et ‘OL 6 8 L 9 g 'f '§ G ct
‘sapnos pun shos-ufl fo suaquinu pup (sarjowt{[lUt UL) spuatuainsDa YY
=
464 CICHLIDA.,
in the Gambia, and brought home alive on September 28th, 1900, when about
39 millim. long, grew to a large size in Capt. Vipan’s aquarium at Stibbington Hall,
and when it died in November 1905 it had reached the exceptional length of
150 millimetres. The specimen has been presented by Capt. Vipan to the British
Museum.
Hemichromis bimaculatus has a wide distribution, being known from Lake Mareotis,
the White Nile, the Bahr-el-Gebel, the northern parts of the Algerian Sahara, West
Africa from the Senegal to the Congo, and from the Upper Congo and the Ubanghi.
I have examined the following specimens :—
1 Lake Mareotis.—Letourneux, 1880. (One of the types of //. letourneuzii.)
25 Kaka, White Nile.—Loat, 18.4.01.
150 Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat, 6-14.4.01.
12. Fashoda, in a kore.-—Loat, 14—31.3.01.
1 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 25.2.01.
) Lake No.—Loat, 22.2.01.
9 Gondokoro.—Loat, 20.1-27.2.02.
3 Wed Rir, Prov. Constantine, Algerian Saharam—Rolland. (Types of HH. rolandi.)
2 Wed Rir.—Rolland. (Types of H. sahare.)
1 Gambia.—Budgett, 1900.
10 Freetown, Sierra Leone.-—Dinzey, 1888.
1 Freetown, Sierra Leone.—Dr. Hopkins, 1899.
Lt Dunkwa R., Gold Coast.—R. B. N. Walker, 1902.
2 Niger.—Dalton, 1865.
4 Sapelle, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1900.
4 Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
1 Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
1 Ossomari, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1901.
1 Old Calabar.—Rutherford, 1880.
2 Efulen, South Cameroon.—G. L. Bates, 1905.
1 Gaboon.
2 Ogowe.—Miss Kingsley, 1895.
1 Boma, Lower Congo.—Delhez, 1899.
Monsembe, Upper Congo.—Rev. J. H. Weeks, 1896-1901.
Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1901.
? (Types of £1. guttatus *.)
lel ama
—
bo
bo
Although I have examined over two hundred and fifty specimens of this species, I
9
. have never come across one with more than 3 spines in the anal fin. The number of
* These specimens have been.erroneously described as from the Cape of Good Hope, and Dr. Pellegrin
still includes the Cape in the habitat of A. bimaculatus on this indication. The original label bears the
indication ‘‘ Cape or Ceylon? Purchased of Mr. Stevens, 1860.”
HEMICHROMIS. 469
spines in the dorsal fin is nearly always 14 or 15, that of the soft dorsal rays 10 or 11,
and of the soft anal rays 8. Out of one hundred and fifty specimens from Gharb-el-
Aish, only two have 13 dorsal spines; one has 9, and one has 12 dorsal soft rays; one
has 7 anal soft rays, and four have 9.
Little is known of the habits of this fish. Eggs or young have never been found
in the mouth of any of the very numerous specimens that have been examined. The
single example in Capt. Vipan’s aquarium showed itself very aggressive towards its
companion South-American Cichlids.
In Algeria, specimens have been ejected from artesian wells in the Sahara, along
with Haplochromis desfontainesi, Tilapia zillit, and Cyprinodon fasciatus.
30
466 CICHLID-.
2. PARATILAPIA.
Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterd. ii. 1868, p. 307; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 187, and
Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 412 (1901) ; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 220.
Paracara, Bleeker, Vers!. Ak. Amsterd. xi. 1878, p. 193.
Hoplotilapia, Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 77.
Flemichromis, part., Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 19 (1896).
Teeth in three or more series, the outer conical, unicuspid in the adult, sometimes
bicuspid in the young, the others unicuspid or tricuspid. Maxillary bone exposed at
the end when the mouth is closed. Body short or more or less elongate; scales
usually ctenoid; two lateral lines. Dorsal fin with 10 to 18 spines, anal with 3.
Vertebre 27 to 38 (13-19 + 14-19).
About thirty-five species are known from Continental Africa, Madagascar, and
Syria. Ten species, from Lake Victoria, are here described.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Lips moderately thick.
A. Snout much longer than the eye, which is four to five and a half times in length of head
in the adult; teeth in four to six series in each jaw.
1. Lower jaw strongly projecting ; maxillary not extending to below eye; caudal fin rounded
or subtruncate ; D. XIV-XVI 8-10; Sq. 32-40 oS
Diameter of eye four and a half to five and a half times in length of
head, and less than depth of scaly part of cheek, in the adult . . 1. P. longirostris, Hilg.
Diameter of eye four to five times in length of head, and equal to
depth of scaly part of cheek, in theadult . . . . . . . . 2. P. prognatha, Pellegr.
2. Lower jaw feebly projecting ; D. XV-X VII 8-10; Sq. 34-45 7
Maxillary extending to below anterior border of eye; caudal fin
piniGabes = 2 ee eee ae ee tr oe ae he eens, cP rel
Maxillary not extending quite to below anterior border of eye ; caudal
fin slightly emarginate intheadult. . . . .... =.=. =. 4& 2. guwarn, Pellegr.
B. Snout not or but little longer than the eye, which is not more than four times in length
of head; D. XV-XVIT 8-10; Sq. 30-40 7545.
Teeth in four or five series ; last 4 or 5 dorsal spines equal in length ;
snout as long as or a little longer thaneye . . . - . »- » -. 9 P. victoriana, Pellegr.
PARATILAPIA. ; 467
Teeth in six to eight series ; last 4 or 5 dorsal spines equal in length ;
BOE ONG Ae CVE. Feo ae dar ae, xc Se SC ears 6. 2, grants, Bier,
Teeth in four series; dorsal spines increasing in length to the last; |
aout A little sioner than eye" 2 Sao eS ae ee en oes ee ernerere ee
II. Lips very thick ; D. XV-XVI 8-10.
Teeth in three to six series, 30 to 50 in outer row of upper jaw; 8 or
9 soft anal rays; Sq. 31-37 faa ea tare ee, ee wc, Deitel on peed any telat
Teeth in six to eight series, 26 to 40 in outer row of upper Jaw ; 9 or
10 soft anal rays ; Sq. 34-40 ioe sclte Gasidisaeix pea ae ee Ue ka eeened Chas ene
Teeth in three or four series, 20 to 34 in outer row of upper jaw ; 8 or
9 soft anal rays ; Sq. 31-33 SRY Te is SE ee as ec se
18 PARATILAPIA LONGIROSTRIS.
(Plate LXXXVI. fig. 2.)
Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. nat. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 77.
Hemichromis longirostris, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 20 (1896).
Depth of body three to four and one-fifth times in the total length, length of head
twice and three-fifths to three and one-fourth times. Head large; snout with straight
or convex upper profile, once and one-fifth (young) to twice as long as the eye, which
is three (young) to five and a half times in the length of the head, once to once and
one-third in the interorbital width, and far less than the depth of the scaly part of the
cheek below the eye in the adult; lower jaw strongly projecting, the chin pointed ;
maxillary far from reaching to below anterior border of eye; teeth, in the adult, in
four or five series in both jaws, the outer long, feebly curved, and rather far apart, the
inner very small and also unicuspid or partly tricuspid; in the young, outer teeth
bicuspid, inner tricuspid; three to five series of scales on the cheek; large scales on
the opercle. Gill-rakers short and stout, 8 to 11 on lower part of anterior arch.
Dorsal fin with 14 to 16 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines increasing in length to
the last, which measures one-third to two-fifths the length of the head; longest soft
rays two-fifths to one-half the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 to
10 soft rays; third spine as long as or a little shorter and stronger than the last
dorsal. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
head, not reaching the vertical of the origin of the anal. Ventral fin reaching the vent
or the origin of the anal fin. Caudal fin rounded or subtruncate. Caudal peduncle
302
468 CICHLIDZ.
once and a half to twice as long as deep. Scales feebly denticulate, 33-40 73
19-22
7-14"
Olive- to emerald-green above, silvery white beneath, with or without a blackish
lateral band, or uniform dark brown; a smali blackish opercular spot; dorsal and
caudal fins grey to dark brown, sometimes with small round darker spots; ventral fins
lateral lines
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4 5. 6 ig 8 9
Total length (without caudal) ....................,./190 |175 |165 185 (115 | 95 | 87 | 65 | 50
Cy reaest ep yleG e0y ans 98 sie ee as ee ee eS 60 | 50 | 45 | 39 | 82 | 29 | 21) 18 | 14
PeUeth Oteas qa Pier ee ase rise isa 63 | 62 | 61 | 47 | 41 | 35 | 25 | 24 | 18
AVEGGG OL ROat. 57. sin Saeed Se aad oes 2722") 20-- 174 14 12 1-10-41. 8 | 7
Length of snout «...... Sey Peugs © Sein gee Se ee ee agniego 24 118 | 16) i484 8 | 6
IONE ROL eee ed ey Gael bl ee Se ee Poor a es |e eS Se ee eg Gem eR
ciperoriital width 3-44 ee ea a PGES oe = a OS tee peo Gs ey
i@neth eFlastgorsab spite S972 es eke aes ks ta ns a eb eho dOnt Aa IO Bot 7
“ longest s0lt dorsal Tay: 20.0. 5s. 2 ee res Ode Poke 20-204 Ot Go a eS Ss
Le ADn Ser ee se paw ees see te Ae iol le edo) Io dO 8} 7
sf longest. sott Biial tay ae. ee be ck Sees Sola. 20 ise) 1) 164147 )710.4. 8
5 POCbOnel giv as eee Ns. (leases Pelee a 50 | 43 | 42 | 34 | 29 | 28 | 21 | 16 | 12
INEM UeTsOe MOVs TL NMAC ema ta hese, oo ieee ane IDO 1 Welbon Oc Eo | 10 | ste ko
= BOLL COrba rans oe 05..0rs 7g ee ete a ts OTOL 10S. go ye O i On Oe - ud 80
es pa UNOS ere ge eect Gea mi eres. me eet Oe IO | 2 Ogee 0 130s AB ) 9
es scales in longitudinal series .............. 40 | 36 | 36 | 87 | 33 | 34 | 86 | 85 | 34
= = upper transverse series .......... GS is ae ei = eee ap sie eye eek cee
= 2 lower transverse series .......... 19-93 14s 1B 1B 2) 28 ob 18 44
= =: upper lateral lite: <. 2.7. 3. ei. OF: 20 en, A FORA. Bt OS D0
ef ye ek HOW OP ACCLAIM Ghync gas 6 okt we kts cocare 3 it oe ak a al a ie Se ee Sy eee ee eb
1-7. Bunjako. | 8,9. Entebbe.
PARATILAPIA. A69
yellow in the females, black in the male; anal fin uniform yellow in the females,
deep orange, with one or two large orange ocellar spots encircled with red, in the
males.
Grows to a length of 250 millimetres.
A female measuring 160 millimetres, obtained at Bunjako by Mr. Degen in the
beginning of November, has a number of embryos in the pharynx. ‘These embryos
measure about 15 millimetres, the yolk-sac 4.
This species inhabits Lake Victoria. It is here decribed from nine specimens from
Bunjako (5-14.11.05), six from Entebbe (25.6.05, 27.9.05), and one from Buganga
(28.11.05), forming part of the valuable collection made by Mr. K. Degen.
The type of the species, from the late Dr. G. A. Fischer's collection, is preserved in
the Berlin Museum. Dr. Pappenheim has been so kind as to send me a photograph
of it, together with the information that the number of dorsal spines is 14, as correctly
stated by Hilgendorf, not 13 as given in Pfeffer’s description.
2, PARATILAPIA PROGNATHA.
(Plate LXXXVI. fig. 3.)
Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 181, pl. xvi. fig. 4.
Paratilapia serranus, part., Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii. p. 161.
Intermediate between P. longirostris and P. serranus. Distinguished from the
former by the larger eye, the diameter of which is three and one-third (young) to
five times in the length of the head, equal to or slightly less than the interorbital
width, and equal, or nearly equal, to the depth of the scaly part of the cheek ; from the
latter by the strongly projecting lower jaw, the chin being pointed. Dorsal fin with
14 to 16 spines and 8 to 10 soft rays. Scales 32-36 ce ; lateral lines oe
Coloration similar to that of P. serranus, one or two dark lateral stripes being
usually present.
The largest specimen measures 170 millimetres.
Lake Victoria. 7
I have examined the following specimens :—
29 Kavirondo Bay.—Alluaud, 1904. (Types.) »
10 Entebbe.—Degen, 25.6-27.9.05.
2 Bunjako.—Degen, 5-14.11.05.
2 L. Victoria—Sir Harry Johnston, 1900.
470 CICHLIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4 5. 6 7 8
| Total length (without caudal)............| 150] 187 |110 |100 | 85 | 76 | 65 | 56
Greatest depth of body... ...43). Svadiveas.= 50 |. 48 31 28 24 23 22 Le
enginrel Neat eR eA aA Pe ee 52 53 37 36 29 29 25 20
SVE tEAOL SHBAU Wess 6 uyot Sapeiioen sees vara e 20 18 13 13 EL 10 9 8
Dene th Ob SMOUb pa ea bo ee as 18 20 13 14 10 10 8 7
SDiameter:of Gye sna A lsiPadie Maas Hac 12 ie) 9 8 7 7 6 6
Ipterorbital Wieden. to) ease oe 12 12 8 8 i 7 6 5
Length of last dorsal spine .............. 18 ay, 13 13 10 10 9 6
* longest soft dorsal ray ........ 27 26 18 18 14 14 11 8
Chirtdnal Spine Sy s:. ee ok hie tay 16 13 14 10 10 10 6
. longest soft anal ray .......... 26 26 7 18 14 14 11 8
‘ pectoral vs: wetocd Wilipabe Aeneas 40 39 28 26 22 20 des, 14
Number of dorsal spines ...... ae Wee 15 14 14 15 16 16 15 16
i BOL e-COrsal rave we, ie he 9 10 11 9 8 9 10 9
i, po Aad YeC A. i eee tag. 8 9 9 10 9 8 y 9
Z scales in longitudinal series ....| 35 oo 34. 34 36 34. 34 oo
s i upper transverse series., 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4
: lower transverse series. 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 14
o B upper lateral line here 19 19 21 19 20 20 | 19
” | i lower lateral line ....| 14 14 11 14 io 14 13 5
1. Bunjako.—Degen. 3,5, 7, 8. Entebbe.—Degen.
2,6. Kavirondo.—Alluaud. (Types.) 4, L. Victoria—Sir H. Johnston.
This fish is so closely allied to the following that I had referred to that species the
first specimens received from Sir Harry Johnston. The series collected by Mr. Degen
rather supports the view of Dr. Pellegrin that this should stand as a distinct species.
PARATILAPIA. 471
3. PARATILAPIA SERRANUS.
(Plate LXX XVII. fig. 1.)
Hemichromis serranus, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 23 (1896).
Paratilapia serranus, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 143, and 1901, u. p. 161 (part.) ;
Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 265.
Depth of body equal to or a little less than the length of the head, twice and
nine-tenths to four times in the total length. Snout once and a half to once and
four-fifths the diameter of the eye in the adult, as long as the eye in the young, with
straight or convex upper profile; lower jaw projecting a little beyond the snout;
diameter of the eye three and one-third (young) to five times in the length of the
head, once to once and a half in the interorbital width, equal to or a little less than
the depth of the scaly part of the cheek in the adult, and not less than the width of the
preorbital; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the eye; teeth,
in the adult, in four to six series, the outer large, unicuspid and curved, the others
small and all unicuspid or tricuspid, or a part unicuspid and a part tricuspid; in the
young, outer teeth bicuspid, inner tricuspid; three to five series of scales on the
cheek ; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short, the largest more or less
distinctly T- or anvil-shaped in the adult, 9 or 10 on lower part of anterior arch.
Dorsal fin with 15 to 17 spines and 8 to 10 soft rays; spines increasing in length to
the last, which measures about one-third to one-half the length of the head ; longest soft
rays one-half to two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 to 10
soft rays; third spine as long as or a little shorter than the last dorsal spine in the
adult, often a little longer in the young. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, two-thirds
to nearly once the length of the head, not reaching the origin of the anal fin. Ventral
fin reaching the vent or the origin of the anal fin in the females, a little further
in the males, the outer soft ray being produced. Caudal fin truncate, sometimes
obliquely and with the lower angle rounded. Caudal peduncle once and a half
to twice as long as deep. Scales with very feeble denticulation, 34-45 a lateral
i 19-23
Olive-brown above, yellowish white beneath; usually two more or less distinct
brown or black bands on each side, sometimes broken up, the lower extending from
the black opercular spot to the root of the caudal fin, the upper from the nape to the
upper side of the caudal peduncle ; a dark vertical bar may be present below the eye;
young sometimes with ill-defined dark bars across the back; some males with the belly
blackish ; dorsal and caudal fins greyish, often with small round darker spots ; ventral
Ae, CICHLIDA.
and anal fins grey or blackish in the males, bright yellow in the females; males
usually with two or three yellow ocellar spots edged with red on the soft part of the
anal fin. Ina male from Buganga the anal fin and the lower half of the caudal were
of a bright red. Iris golden.
This species grows to a length of 200 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
i 2 3 4 On ie 7 8 9.2 1 20
Total length (without caudal) ..............006- 165 (155 140 137 |116 |107 |100 | 90 | 60 | 52
Greniest-Uepel-Ob NOdY are. cific. Pes fads + 54 | 50 | 38 | 43 | 40 | 33 | 28 | 25 | 17 | 16
Pie Ome a ee iri cs ag ua ae op os 53 | 55 | 46 | 46 | 40 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 20 | 18
Wacihdoritend:= <ese-ccee, cise 2 eg aie ae ee = 23 | 24 | 20 | 20| 16) 14,14/;13 | 9| 7
Length OL snotbr. a os See le ewes 3 M10") beclaky lo 14s Pb te Oo T=
yas CLet OI OV Oras sere en oot Gs oe ee Od 0 ao) oO 8 6 oO
TRAD EUOU DTA PRUE iy oo aoe gi yh won ruc dae lureteaoay LOy4 ee le a 80es 10 8) 8 8 1}
Lengts- oblast darsalespiliei a2. wan 5 . hare areas LOS aoe 4 BS keg a | Ba) 8
se GMCS SOLE-COnsAl PAY = 25°. a3. kisie ae oe DO ee oe ee AD eb ae 4 ea 8
. ENGR SUE DINO: a con gd Seas caries eS es 17 i bOs | 1A POs |e.) AA Oe | Ok. 6
5 lonpestsolbangh tay = see. s < sae. Gs Sia OA i 2i 494.1 10s) Shel bo [1b 210» 8
a POCHOPAL Ag Mew bem eno mers tree a SB) A B40 1 4 ek BF 26-1) a2
Number af dorsal -spites crates es es ts bee bbe tO dee ae ee 1G 1S 1G
e SOL donee apie sts a5. o. agige hee sm POs Oe Oe a On | Oe Oey Ot Oo
‘3 i SOS sas eae, oh ancas OS) SEO SEAL ia O Pai Deal &O ae be i)
. scales in a longitudinal series ........ 43 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 35 | 86 | 45 | 39 | 36 | 41
= = upper transverse series ...... 6 5 6 6 5 4 6 6 5 6
és = lower transverse series ...... 16: 244 36514 18 le ie Lae 14
= . upper lateral line .......... Ol | 20.1522 4 Ob 2 228 28 ines 20 20
= = lower lateral line .......... Lhe a ERO a doo ek et SL oe ee ES
1, 2, 4,5, 6,10. Bunjako.—Degen. 7-9. Entebbe.—Degen.
3. L. Victoria,—Sir H. Johnston.
PARATILAPTA. A473
Paratilapia serranus was described by Prof. Pfeffer from a single specimen obtained
by Dr. Stuhlmann at Bukoba, a German station on Lake Victoria at about a oa
Examples have since been obtained by M. Alluaud in Kavirondo Bay, and I have
before me the following series :—
4 Lake Victoria.—Sir Harry Johnston, 1901.
2 Lake Victoria.—Col. Delmé Radcliffe, 1903.
20 Entebbe.—Degen, 14-23.6.05.
10 Bunjako.—Degen, 5-14.11.05.
10 Nsonga (Bussi).—Degen, 3.11.05.
1 Buganga.—Degen, 22.11.00.
A female specimen 140 millim. Jong, from Bunjako, in Mr. Degen’s collection, has
the mouth and pharynx full of young in an advanced condition, 16 millim. long, but
with the yolk-sac not quite absorbed. I have not been able to count the number
of young, not wishing to remove them all, but there seems to be about thirty.
Paratilapia vittata, Blgr., from Lake Kivu, is very closely related to P. serranus
and P. prognatha. ‘These three species should perhaps be united. |
4, PARATILAPIA GUIARTI.
(Plate LXX XVII. fig. 2.)
Tilapia guiarti, Pellegrin, Mém. Soe. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 184, pl. xvi. fig. 1.
This fish, originally described from a single young specimen from Kavirondo Bay
(Coll. Alluaud), is so closely allied to P. serranus that it is with some hesitation that
I regard it as a distinct species. ‘The teeth are very similar to those of P. serranus,
those of the outer series being bicuspid in the young and unicuspid in the adult, but
the rows behind them are composed exclusively of strongly tricuspid teeth. The mouth
is smaller than in P. serranus, not quite reaching to below the anterior border of the
eye, and the caudal fin, truncate in the young, is feebly but distinctly emarginate in
the adult.
Coloration and sexual differences as in P. serranus, but dark longitudinal bands
constantly absent.
I have examined about twenty-five specimens from Entebbe, Lake Victoria,
14~-23.6.05, in Mr. Degen’s Collection. | |
The following table of measurements, &c., shows the proportions to vary quite as
much as in P. serranis. |
3P
474 CICHLIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
LOval length without Capdal).- 8052 ace fe. cde eee es 150 140 125 113 80
Geen test Os RKO bony SA ot ia. ce eae cag ees 42 44 40 32 23
LSU Orn ON ey aS. itso en OR eS Oe 49 4.4 40 35 ZT
MWR OUCH ihe yy 9 2 aa ots Sos eee ee ag 20 18 17 14 11
Meet OF HUONG Aas RAS els ee eS eet, 17 16 14 el 8
Ipnneher Ob eye isso eG ee eee PN pee re Fes 10 10 9 8 7
pntienor pital Width. 42.503 paw Se es ae SS 15 14 11 10 7
Length of last dorsal spine ... ; Pes Pee er ek, 19 1 17 13 10
= longest soltqdorsal Pay. 1d ay am oe este eu 23 22 25 18 14
“1 Gli: BRL DIES? 52). gids yan s Slew a SSS ot 15 14 16 13 11
‘a longest sork anal Pay 59.6 a ae eee a3 22 22 26 18 ks:
Peirese 7, ee eee gee ee a eee 38 Sepa a at 28 20
Ninrber of-dorsal spines: 240 i,s.04 7. Ss oe os oe 17 16 16 olde ee ee
= SOLU OnGal WARS sca. 2: yarn c Reed eh a Se ts 9 10 9 it | 9
+ se oe Ur Rene a eaagetey Ve A tvaegs Soke nas ae 9 9 9 One| 8
2 scales in longitudinal series ............ 39 38 40 | 39 4]
7 .. . apper transverse series "5.5. 4 4 5) 5) 5
3 na lower transverse series ........ 14 14 16 15 15
‘5 ‘ upper Jatera| line. th. teas a. 23 22 22 21 14
* 5 lower lateral line ............ 14 12 16 +2 9
5. PARATILAPIA VICTORIANA.
(Plate LXXXVIL. fig. 3.)
Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1905, p. 182, pl. xvi. fig. 3.
Depth of body equal or nearly equal to the length of the head, twice and a half to
three times in the total length. Snout deeper than long, with straight or slightly
convex upper profile, as long as or a little longer than the eye, which is contained
three (young) to four times in the length of the head and equals or nearly equals the
interorbital width and equals or exceeds the depth of the scaly part of the cheek below
PARATILAPTA. ATS5
the eye; jaws equal or lower feebly projecting ; maxillary extending to below the
anterior border of the eye; teeth small, in four or five series in each Jaw, the outer
largest and feebly curved, all unicuspid or some or all of the inner tricuspid; in the
young, some of the outer teeth may bear a small lateral cusp; four series of scales on
the cheek ; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short and stout, some anvil-shaped
or bifid, 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines
and 9 or 10 soft rays, the five or six last equal in length and measuring one-third to
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
| f 2 3. 4
| Total length (without caudal) .........-....5.505- alia 110 — 104 fs
| Greatest deptle: Of body cia que aon Geilo we ea 4] 41 38 27
Length of beads. i.22. pick sere < Gaeta eo reat eee 43 39 38 26
Width of head ............005 Sn qa Sere a 18 19 18 13
Length of snogt:* 04s s< ss ob cee pee Bee 12 10 10 8
Diameter Ob- eyo... 43.2.4 g Sea a ae i ee 11 10 10 8
Interorbital width. 2 yoyo 38s enna eee eee 12 gt 10 8
Length of last-dorsalvspine.’.., <...)) 2245 SIGE 15 16 15 10
= longestisoth dorsal ray ~./.2205 - ee acs Sees 22 25 21 14
MS thivd eal spie ~y.c5-.stin ls see ee eee LS 15 14 1]
a longest sont: amal Tay 5 ose ace sate iba 22 28 20 15
4 peckotal. payaso as shales ancl ene eee 37 38 36 26
Number .of doreal-spimes 386-4 << 4A 15 16 15 16
| - SOlG AOrSat PAVE yao en ste on See eat 10 9 9 9
| jog RN EIS Sec eke a ibe ty ae 9 9 9 9
* scales in longitudinal series ............ 37 36 39 40
sis ¥5 upper transverse series ........ | 5) +5) +3) +)
ve i lower transverse series ........ | 13 13 12 3
re sis upper lateral line ............ 20 20) 20 a
a i lower lateral line ............ 13 14 14 11
1, 2,3. Bunjako. | 4. Entebbe.
3p 2
AT6 CICHLIDA.
two-fifths the length of the head; longest soft rays half to two-thirds the length
of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine as long as or
nearly as long as and stronger than the longest dorsal spines. Pectoral fin acutely
pointed, as long as or a little shorter than the head, extending a little beyond the
origin of the anal fin. Ventral fin reaching the vent or the anal fin. Caudal fin
truncate. Caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and a half as long as deep.
Scales feebly denticulate, 33-40 Sue - lateral lines ee
Greyish or olive above, silvery white beneath ; indistinct traces of darker cross-
bands sometimes present; a feebly marked dark opercular spot; a dark bar may be
present below the eye; dorsal and caudal fins grey, the soft part of the former and the
upper half of the latter with round darker spots; ventrals and anal yellow in the
females; ventrals black in the male, anal red with two or three orange ocellar spots
in its posterior part. Iris dark grey above, whitish below; a bright yellow circle
round the pupil.
The largest specimen measures 140 millimetres.
This species inhabits Lake Victoria. It was established on a single specimen from
Kavirondo Bay (Alluaud Collection, 1904). Mr. Degen obtained six. specimens at
Bunjako (5-14.11.05) and three at Entebbe (20.6-11.7.09).
6. PARATILAPIA GRANTI.
(Plate LXXXVIT. fig. 4.)
Haplochromis granti, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 446.
Depth of body equal to or a little greater than the length of the head, which is twice
and three-fourths to three and one-fourth times in the total length. Body deepest at
the nape. Upper profile of head forming a strong curve; snout broad, much deeper
than long, as long as the eye, which is three and a half to three and two-thirds times
in the length of the head, equals the interorbital width and once and one-fourth to
once and a half the least width of the preorbital ; lower jaw not projecting ; mouth
nearly horizontal or slightly oblique, extending to below the anterior border of the eye,
or not quite so far; teeth in six to eight series in both Jaws, outer largest and numbering
30 to 50 in the upper jaw, all conical or some of the smaller tricuspid in the adult, some
of the outer flattened and more or less distinctly bicuspid in the young; three or four
series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part below the eye equal to the
diameter of the eye ; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short, 8 or 9 on lower
part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 to 17 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; spines
equal in length from the seventh or eighth, two-fifths to half the length of the
head; longest soft rays half to two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with
ke
PARATILAPTA. ATT
3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine stronger than the dorsals, one-third to two-
fifths the length of the head; pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head or a little
shorter, extending to the origin of the anal, or not quite so far. Ventral fin reaching
the origin of the anal, or a little beyond. Caudal fintruncate. Caudal peduncle once
and one-third to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales feebly denticulate,
on er 45 , pc 80-09
30-30 7743. lateral-lmes: gaa
Pale olive-brown above, silvery white beneath ; chin and throat bright yellow; a
blackish opercular spot; a more or less distinct dark streak from the latter to the base
of the caudal fin; sometimes a second dark streak higher up on the back; dorsal and
caudal fins greyish, sometimes with small light spots between the rays; anal fin
yellow, usually with one or two orange ocellar spots edged with red; ventral fins
yellow, uniform or outer rays black or blackish. ,
Lake Victoria. Described from six specimens from Bunjako (5-14.11.05), two from
Entebbe (29.5.05), and one from Buganga (15.11.05), collected by Mr. EK. Degen. The
largest measures 145 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3. 4
Total lehoth (Gvithout Caudal yo. a5 te eee eas 115 102 92 74.
Greatest-depth ofbedy 3.245; cians sata ee 39 Oo” 32 25
Length of Sead’ 3. Soiive% eects Ses a ean Os ok ae 37 30 29 95
Widthor hea a es 19 19 14 12
Length 0b SHOE. ase tee ones ee 10 9 8 7
Dia ii@ter.oF eye = oo aan ee we ee eee eee 10 9 8 7
Titerarbrtal Wiis 5 ee we eee oe ee eee 10 2 8 7
Length of last dorsal spine sas > Gite 25 ous Bee ces 16 15 12 ae
ra longest soft dorsal Tay 4 Se east ess 26 25 16 14
4 third age pees ae eee en eae ak otc 15 15 12? 11
? ieitet OU SIE ce Ge oy Pak See cee sapere Bate eeee ge 29 24 16 13
" POCUREAL ” “ius eg.is epee eaaces ee es ee 36 33 | 98 =
1-3. Bunjako. | 4, Entebbe.
Distinguished from the preceding by a broader snout and broader bands of teeth.
478 | CICHLID 2.
7. PARATILAPIA CINEREA.
(Plate LXXXVI, fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 439.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, three times in the total length. Body
deepest at the nape. Snout much deeper than long, with steep oblique upper profile, a
little shorter than the eye, which is contained three times in the length of the head and
equals the interorbital width; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the eye;
teeth small, in four series in each jaw, the outer largest and feebly curved, some of the
inner with secondary cusps, more or less distinctly tricuspid ; three series of scales on the
cheek ; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short, truncate, bi- or tricuspid, 9 on
lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 16 spines and 8 soft rays; spines increasing
in length to the last, which measures two-fifths the length of the head; longest soft
rays two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays; third
spine a little shorter than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, as long as the
head, extending a little beyond the origin of the anal fin. Ventral fin reaching a little
beyond the origin of the anal fin. Caudal fin truncate. Caudal peduncle once and
two-thirds as long as deep. Scales with very feeble denticulation, 33 “ ; lateral
lines =
Grey above and beneath, darker on the back; a blackish opercular spot; fins dark
grey, ventrals blackish; three large round orange spots, encircled with red, on the
posterior part of the anal fin.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Leta loins 5 eh 5 ae ead care: Rath et eee kB
6 py 7 ARC HG tinsel. aby ponte thy aie: sigh Lat estes 88
Ceptiesh (pth OL nOdy = ctor er Went ius a. ames, speegh oy 30
duet thot shears kes Sites Oe ec A me eee Ain sees 30
nebo t Ga aeieis5 Gag ae he te i Sa a 13
emo iimolenott. 2 see tian ant ae Ge aks Pee. g 8
Dene rer Ol Cy Oe ncaa ce i ey ta ee pe eg A 10
De COT tml What 2h et ae ee ee ee ee ae eh Se 9
ewetacorlacsidorea pine. 24 Me. et ee ee oes 13
.s loneest sort. dersil Taw. (32252 fal eae aS 20
ene ncaa) Si Ot gia) tae a sete Rene on" Ree ‘a
ga Oe), BOLL Pay co oie poe eg ee ets peeeet 20
= PEC HOCRD Selon tian). ages 3 kU ee ee mess
PARATILAPIA. 479
Lake Victoria. A single male specimen was obtained by Mr. E. Degen at Buganga,
15.11.00. |
This species is very closely allied to, and may prove not to be separable from, the
preceding.
& PARATILAPIA BICOLOR.
(Plate LXXXIX. fig. 1.)
Haplochromis bicolor, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 444.
Depth of body twice and three-fifths to three times in the total length, length of head
twice and four-fifths to five times. Upper profile of head forming a strong curve ;
snout short and broad, as long as or slightly longer than the eye, which is three and
a half to four and a half times in the length of the head, once to once and a half in
the interorbital width, and once and a half to once and two-thirds the least width
of the preorbital ; lower jaw not projecting; mouth not very oblique, with very thick
lips; maxillary extending to below anterior border of eye, or not quite so far; teeth
in three to six series in both jaws, 30 to 50 in the outer row of the upper jaw, the
outer large and mostly bicuspid in the young, obtusely conical in the adult, the others
uni- or tricuspid; three or four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly
part below the eye equal to the diameter of the eye. Gill-rakers short and stout, 7,to 9
on lower part of anterior arch, the larger T-shaped. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without caudal) ...........0...0 65 | 125 105 93 85 62
Greatest deptinok DOdy i. aero tiawieae ta | 47 38 3D 28 21
Length: of Neath a. sn Siac So es ee aaia cera Pale a 40 30 34 28 20
Width ofsheick Re bs Gah cae ig eae ia 2h 18 17 14 10
Length of snowk* tc ee eee es ae jad AG 10 10 8 5d
| Demeter of eye cic. cite thes ie naa leas os oe “p80 10 3 8 54
Seer ee ge oe a | 14 12 Sees pet: 54
| Length of last dorsal spiie=20 35-5 SPIeh cates tiny <2 eee 15 . de 12 8
t. longest soft dorsal ray .............. | 26 23 16 14 11
“3 third-anal. spite —io.") 6 Gens ae oe 16 14 12 12 8
- longest soft-anal ray”. .4. 2... has as 0 il pase 21 16 15 11
3 pectOmile Bry sy Oy a oO ae 39 36 30 ay 20
nn eeeeeeeeeeee a
A480 CICHLIDZ.
and 8 to 10 soft rays; spines subequal from the seventh or eighth, about two-fifths
the length of the head; longest soft rays half to two-thirds the length of the
head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine as long as and
stronger than the longest dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, as long as or a little
shorter than the head, reaching the vertical of the origin of the anal. Ventral fin
reaching the vent or the origin of the anal. Caudal fin truncate-rounded, the upper
rays usually longer than the lower. Caudal peduncle once and one-third to once and
a half as long as deep. Scales feebly denticulate, 51-35 nee lateral lines oe
Bright yellow (according to a sketch by Mr. Degen), irregularly blotched or marbled
with black, the black sometimes forming irregular cross-bands on the body; one
or two pale yellow ocellar spots may be present on the posterior part of the anal fin;
iris yellow or bronzy brown, with a red circle round the pupil.
Total length 155 millimetres.
Lake Victoria. ‘Twenty-one specimens were obtained at Bunjako (5-14.11.00) and
Buganga (15-17.11.05) by Mr. I. Degen.
9. PARATILAPIA RETRODENS.
(Plate LXXXIX. fig. 2.)
Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. nat. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 76; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 142.
EHemichromis retrodens, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 19 (1896).
Depth of body twice and a half to three times in the total length, length of head
three to three and one-fourth times. Upper profile of head forming a strong curve ;
snout short and broad, as long as or a little longer than the eye, which is three and
a half to four times in the length of the head, a little less than the interorbital width
and once and one-fourth to once and one-third the least width of the preorbital ;
lower jaw not projecting; mouth not very oblique, with very thick lips; maxillary
extending to below anterior border of eye, or not quite so far; teeth in six to eight series
in both jaws, 26 to 40 in the outer row of the upper jaw, the outer large and conical
in the adult, sometimes oblique on the sides, more or less distinctly bicuspid in the
young, the others conical or tricuspid; four to six series of scales on the cheek, the
depth of the scaly part below the eye equal to the diameter of the eye. Gill-rakers short
and stout, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch, the larger bifid or T- or anvil-shaped.
Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines increasing in length
to the last, which measures two-fifths to half the length of the head; longest soft
rays half to three-fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 or
10 soft rays; third spine longest, as long as or a little shorter and stouter than the last
dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head or slightly shorter, extending as far
as the origin of the anal, or a little beyond. Ventral fim reaching the origin of the
PARATILAPIA. A481.
anal, or a little beyond. Caudal fin rounded, upper rays usually longer than the
lower. Caudal peduncle once and one-fourth to once anda half as long as deep.
Scales feebly denticulate, 34—40 Ee lateral lines ae
Coloration very variable. In the specimen here figured, of which a coloured sketch
was made at Bunjako by Mr. Degen, the body is of a dirty lemon-yellow, with four
black cross-bands and three black longitudinal bands, the upper at the base of the
anterior half of the spinous part of the dorsal fin, the second from the nape to below
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 4, 5 6 vs
Total length: Cwithout-caudal) =. 54s is ene | 18s es aie ea 0 95 80 | 76
Greatest depth-of body eo s4t aera a een as 53 45 39 38 34 Spe i OG
henner lead 225. Petes eee re eee es | 42 4] 36 32 32 26 24
SWadh OM hed tec =o eee Be ae aie ee eee
enatlt 6: snout os oe ERS age eee ee | Bi 12 10 9 8 7 vi
Diameter or eye oS (ois es see ee es | 11 10 10 9 8 7 7
interofpital width: 25 eo hen eae eee | 14 12 12 10 9 8 8
Length of last dorsal spe A. ag ess 18 4g. 15 1d 13 13 gi
= longest soltdorsal rays, ooo ata | 25 22 22 25 19 16 14
i HIPE Oe MOIS pace oy eee ee | 16 lo 15 14 13 13 11
- longest Sort phal Vay! % A202 ee ace | 24 24 ZA 21 18 16 14
= POCLORAL <A 0h5 a eos. ee nate eee wee | 40 30 36 30 31 23 24
Number of (oral Spries Gon gue tas eee ees : 16 16 15. 16 16 15 15
a SOG DOrsnl Pave a caus cs velar ees oo eee) 9 a 9 4 10 9
. +f see Rane es PS vgads 4k ene <> tome, 9 | 9) 9 9 10 9)
3 scales in longitudinal series .......... ers, 39 38 40 35 34. 34
e i upper transverse series ...... 3) 6 2 5) 5 5 5
pa ss lower transverse SpPIOR 5 234.4 | 15 14 14 eh 14 13 13
3 5 upper lateral line .......... | 21 20 20 21 21 20 20
“< a lower lateral Ime” 22.0. 4 2s. | 7 14 gs oe ae 8 14 13
1-3, 5,7. Bunjako. | 4,6. Entebbe.
3 Q
A482 CICHLID.
the last spines of the dorsal fin, the third from the black opercular spot to the root
of the caudal fin; two black bars across the snout, a third across the posterior part of
the interorbital region, and a fourth from below the anterior third of the eye to the
angle of the mouth; cheeks bluish green; pectoral fin pale yellow; dorsal fin pale
brown, edged with reddish brown ; anal fin greyish olive at the base, shading into pale
pink, with two round orange spots on its posterior part; ventral fins dark bluish grey ;
caudal fin yellowish olive, reddish brown on the posterior border; iris bluish grey.
Another specimen, from Entebbe, is described as having the body of a dark
olive-brown above, merging into lemon-yellow on the sides and then into dirty white
on the belly; dorsal fin dark olive-green; pectoral same, but lighter; ventrals
yellowish brown ; caudal yellowish brown, nearly black at the base; iris dark brown.
Other specimens have dark cross-bands but no longitudinal bands, or vice versa, whilst
the largest specimen is uniform olive without any markings, not even the opercular
spot.
Total length 165 millimetres.
Lake Victoria. The original specimen, preserved in the Berlin Museum, of which
I have seen a photograph, formed part of the collection of the late Dr. G. A. Fischer.
Mr. Degen brought home twelve specimens from Bunjako (5-14.11.05) and Entebbe
(25—29.6.09).
10. PARATILAPIA CRASSILABRIS.
(Plate LX XXVII. fig. 5.)
Haplochromis crassilabris, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvil. 1906, p. 440.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, twice and four-fifths or three times
in the total length. Snout with convex upper profile, as long as (young) or a little
longer than the diameter of the eye, which is three and a half to four times in the
length of the head, equals the interorbital width, and measures once and a half to
twice the least width of the preorbital; lower jaw not projecting ; mouth not very
oblique, with very thick lips; maxillary not extending to below anterior border of
eye; teeth in three or four series in both jaws, 20 to 34 in the outer row of the
upper jaw, the outer large and conical or indistinctly bicuspid in the adult, bicuspid in
the young, the others minute and tricuspid; three series of scales on the cheek, the
depth of the scaly part below the eye equal to or a little less than the diameter of the
eye. Gill-rakers short, 7 or 8 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or
16 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures
two-fifths to half the length of the head; longest soft rays about half the length of
the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine stronger and
usually a little shorter than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, three-fourths to
PARATILAPIA., 483
five-sixths the length of the head, extending to the vertical of the origin of the anal.
Ventral fin extending a little beyond the origin of the anal. Caudal fin rounded,
subtruncate. Caudal peduncle once and one-fourth as long as deep. Scales feebly
4 17-22
denticulate, 31-33 ;,; lateral lines ce
Brownish above, silvery white beneath; a rather indistinct dark bar across the nape,
in front of the dorsal fin, and more or less distinct traces of two dark longitudinal
stripes on the body in the adult ; back with ill-defined dark cross-bands ; fins greyish,
caudal with small round darker spots, anal with or without small orange ocellar
spots *.
Total length 105 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (without cada Sek Pe ge ee | Peewee terre | Ho 52
Greatest depth-or bid o. Git san acne s 5 ae eee es 31 | 88 | 23 20 1g
Lemay Gr need: tient). wan Aa en ee eee bos, eo ea aT D8 20 19
| Widt oitead. avid sto a ace a ee ae es Se 9
t deneth ot emote | ys errant eee Oe ee 10 8 | aa 6 5s
| Diameter oPeve ( )\o 5 we. da acc eee ete ee | 8 | bans feo 6 54
tinteronbakek wid thi. ose to cakes: 2 eee eae | 8 | 7 6 6 6
| Length of last. dorsal sping 3, {. aatyac ae Sh ee Barre me eee | 10 9
* longest soli Uorsal ray <5 joa s exes ee eae oe ne cca te seen tee ee 10
Pe eri eee We ae ape) rg cae ae 8
< lonsesi scott tal wiy yi. ki oe aon eee | VE ra ieee Comes | 12 1 10
= POCEOR GE soo ete oe) es ad Beal eh Soe wey aa ae | 26 22 18 | Li ee
|
Lake Victoria. ‘Ten specimens were obtained at Entebbe by Mr. E. Degen,
14.6-11.10.05,
Distinguished from P. retrodens by fewer teeth, fewer scales on the cheek, frequently
as few as 8 soft anal rays, and rather larger scales on the body.
* The specimen figured bears a number of black specks, due to a parasite, as noticed in the Cvprinide,
p. 273.
3 @ 2
484 CICHLIDZ.
3. PELMATOCHROMIS.
Steindachner, Notes Leyd. Mus. xvi. 1894, p. 40 ; Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 147, and
Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 433 (1901) ; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 275.
Chromidotilapia, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 151.
Barely distinguishable from Paratilapia by the great development of a papillose pad
on each side of the pharynx, between the gills, strongly projecting in front of the
upper branch of the first branchial arch *.
The young of all the species here described have bi- or tricuspid teeth in both jaws ;
some of the inner teeth may remain tricuspid in the adult, as frequently happens in
the preceding genus.
About twenty-five species are known from Tropical Africa, five of which are
represented in Lake Victoria.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Teeth in three to six series, outer large and curved in the adult ; lower jaw projecting ; snout
much longer than the eye ; pectoral fin shorter than the head.
Length of head not three times in total length ; five or six series of oe
on the cheek ; pectoral not reaching origin of anal ; scales 37-45 j=75
aa _ 1. P. cavifrons, Hilg.
Length of head not three times in total length ; three to five series of scales
on the cheek ; ee reaching origin of anal or a little beyond ;
scales 30-33 ae -
Length of head three times in total length ; six series of scales on the
2. P. speku, Blgr.
cheek ; pectoral not reaching origin of anal; scales 31 : Sp a ye HeLa, De
Il. Teeth in’ two or three series, outer very small, inner minute ; lower jaw not projecting ;
snout once to once and one-third diameter of eye ; pectoral fin as long as head ; length of
head three times in total length ; three or four series of scales on the cheek ; scales 32 ae
Depth of body three times in total length; snout as me as broad ;
preorbital a little narrower than the eye . . . Doe aoe indy ae hak ae
Depth of body twice to twice and a half in total forth shalt twice as |
broad as long ; preorbital much narrower than the eye . . . » + % P. obesus, Blgr.
* Of, Plate LXXXVIII. fig. 2 a.
+ Liberia, Lower Niger, Cameroon, Gaboon, Congo, Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika.
PELMATOCHROMIS. A8o
1. PELMATOCHROMIS CAVIFRONS.
(Plate LXX XVIII. fig. i)
Paratilapia ? cavifrons, Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. nat. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 77 ; Boulenger, Proce. Zool.
Soc. 1898, p. 141.
Hemichromis cavifrons, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 21 (1896).
Depth of body three to three and one-third times in the total length, length of head
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3. +
Total leneth (without omndal) as. tee trig eee coe 163 158 fs ap 125
Greatest depthsel body’ ....0/5 5s eae hi es oe see 50 51 | 43 40)
Heneth: Grhond 55 pieces see ean oe a 8 rae a 62 62 51 48
Widthiot eae 4 ce aida pee eee ee | 27 26 oe 20
Length of snout oS oe i ee 23 24 19 16
Dismstercol e790. =<, 222/54 sas sate tae yew is Se | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9
fnterorbital width: e050 5 ee, er BOE ee aerate 2c 12 12
Length. of last dorsal spine? goa. e a ee end 20 | 20 17 15
- lonvest seft-dersal rays a i.0525 oe) sete 28 3] 26 23
ze third anal spmeseca.aus 2st. Sao ed 18 ccheat 16 15
oy longest soft-anal Tay) ness. oe ae 2f 31 25 23
ee pecbOtal Sarid a i ee ae 39 39 35 30
Number ofdorsahemies:.'). fais on Soa es ee 16 | 15 15 15
- SOlt-COnsaL REVO’ =o jc seers Ger ag aaa 9 | 9 10 2
A joo SIR PRR os oe er ee: a 8 8 9
2 scales in longitudinal series ............ 43 SE | 38 40
is e upper transverse series ........ 8 7 | 7 6
i ve lower transverse series ........ 16 15 16 15
“4 | a upperlatersldine 397.5 .G 5. 25 22 20 pT
* ms lower Interal lim6 sa <5 by TE 13 10
1. Buganga. : 2-4, Bunjako.
486 CICHLIDZ.
two and a half to two and three-fifths times. Head very large, body deepest at the
nape. Snout with slightly convex upper profile, about twice as long as the eye, which
is five to five and a half times in the length of the head, once and one-third to once
and a half in the interorbital width, once and one-third to once and a half in the
depth of the scaly part of the cheek below the eye; lower jaw strongly projecting, the
chin pointed; mouth large, very oblique, maxillary not extending quite to below the
anterior border of the eye ; teeth all conical, or a few of the inner tricuspid, in four or
five series in both jaws, outer largest and strongly curved; five or six series of scales
on the cheek; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers moderately long and stout,
7 to 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines and 8 to 10
soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures about one-third the
length of the head; longest soft rays about half the length of the head. Anal fin with
3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine longest, as long as or a little shorter than
the last dorsal. Pectoral fin three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head, not
reaching the origin of the anal. Ventral fin reaching the vent. Caudal fin rounded.
Caudal peduncle once and one-fourth to once and a half as long as deep. Scales
ie pe eee 20-27
dentigulate, 3/—25' 5.56, Jiateral lines! cra.
Yellowish olive above, more or less profusely spotted or speckled with black, silvery
white beneath; a small black opercular spot; dorsal fin grey, with round whitish
spots; caudal fin with round dark grey spots with whitish interspaces; pectoral fin
greyish ; ventral and anal fins yellow, the latter sometimes with two or three large
orange ocellar spots edged with red.
The largest specimen measures 200 millimetres.
This species was established on a single specimen from Lake Victoria in the
collection of the late Dr. G. A. Fischer. It was rediscovered in the same lake by
Mr. E. Degen, who brought home seven specimens from Bunjako (5-14.11.05) and
one from Buganga (15.11.05).
2, PELMATOCHROMIS SPEKII.
(Plate LXX XVIII. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 440.
Depth of body twice and two-thirds to three and one-fourth times in the total
length, length of head twice and two-thirds to twice and four-fifths. Head large, with
straight or slightly concave upper profile; snout once and one-fourth (young) to twice
and a half as long as the eye, which is three and a half (young) to six times in the
length of the head, four-fifths (ycung) to once and a half in the interorbital width,
once (young) to twice the depth of the scaly part of the cheek below the eye; lower
PELMATOCHROMIS.
487
jaw more or less projecting in the adult; mouth oblique; maxillary extending to
below the anterior border of the eye, or not quite so far; teeth all conical or a few of
the inner tricuspid in the adult, in three to six series, outer large, distant, and curved ;
outer teeth bicuspid in the young, inner tricuspid; three to five series of scales on the
cheek ; large scales on the opercle.
Gill-rakers short, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior
arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines increasing in length
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
i 2. 3. B a: 6 ie 8.
Total length (without caudal) ............) 200 | 165 | 140 | 125 | 110 | 105 93 80
| Greatest depth of body................6. | 75 6-4 53 42 36 35 32 27
(een ee Gi HORT ot tae tea pie kee ee 74 61 53 44. 38 35 od 29
| ‘Width ot ‘bead =) jat4 24.3. sey ie oe eee 32 28 22 18 15 15 13 F2
Length of Stent inde ay. ick 2a; Goel ie OME 21 19 16 13 13 12 9
| Drameter of eye. 0 <4 ie eee ae 13 13 12 10 9 9 8 7
| Intererbilal-wadtir oS 4e5 oie eee 19 17 13 10 9 9 8 7
Length of last dorsal spine .............. ee rel 19 16 15 16 13 12
a longest soft dorsal ray ........ 4y 36 26 25 20 20 19 15
| ‘ third anal apis sco hcieaeere Legrae 18 17 15 14 15 13 12
| 4 longest soft anal ray .......... ae 39 27 25 19 19 17 15
a POGhOral 4 oa eens oe ta ce oe | HE Ad 4-4 B32 29 30 28 HA:
Number of dorsal spmes .......5.....5.. | 1d 15 15 15 16 15 15 15
HOLE COVER? TAGs. sy uae aes oN ae 10 9 9 u 10 10 10
5» eR eee ey ee coe ee 9 8 10 9 9 9 9 |
y scales in longitudinal series .... 33 B2 ot on oo 33 Be 53
ee _ upper transverse series | 5 5) 5 5) 4 a 5) 5
xh - lower transverse series | 42 12 13 fea eae 2 12 13 13
” “ upper lateral line 22 21 20 20 22 A 22 20
a " lower lateral line...... aaa 11 12 12 12 Lt 18 12
1. Bunjako.
Buganga.
3, 4, 6, 7,8. Entebbe.
5. Munyonya.
(ee
488 CICHLIDZ.
to the last, which measures one-third to two-fifths the length of the head; longest soft
rays half to two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 to 10
soft rays; third spine longest, stronger than the dorsals, one-fourth to one-third the
length of the head. Pectoral fin two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head,
reaching the origin of the anal or a little beyond. Ventral fin reaching the origin
of the anal or a little beyond. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle once and one-
fourth to once and a half as long as deep. Scales denticulate, 30-33 — lateral
19-22
11-14"
Olive-brown to emerald-green above, silvery below; sometimes an ill-defined dark
lateral stripe, dark cross-bars on the back, and a vertical blackish bar below the eye; a
dark opercular spot ; dorsal and caudal fins greyish or bluish purple, the latter and the
soft part of the dorsal fin with small round dark spots; anal fin yellow or greyish,
sometimes bordered with vivid vermilion-red, often with a few large orange ocellar spots,
encircled with red, on the posterior part ; ventral fins yellow (females) or black (males) ;
iris greyish white to dark brown, or upper half brown and lower half yellowish white.
Total length 235 millimetres. |
This species inhabits Lake Victoria. It is described from the following specimens
obtained by Mr. EK. Degen :—
lines
10 Entebbe, 23.6-11.10.05.
Munyonya, 18.8.05.
Bunjako, 5-14.11.05.
Buganga, 15.11.05.
rE He bo
Named after the discoverer of the source of the Nile.
3. PELMATOCHROMIS FLAVIPINNIS.
(Plate LX XXIX. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvu. 1906, p. 441.
Depth of body equal to length of head, three times in the total length. Head large,
with concave upper profile; body deepest at the nape. Snout once and two-thirds the
diameter of the eye, which is five times in the length of the head, once and one-fourth
in the interorbital width, and once and a half in the depth of the scaly part of the
cheek below the eye; lower jaw projecting; mouth directed obliquely upwards ;
maxillary not extending quite to below the anterior border of the eye; teeth all
unicuspid, in four series in the upper jaw, in three in the lower, outer largest and
curved; six series of scales on the cheek; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short,
9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 16 spines and 9 soft rays ; spines
PELMATOCHROMIS. 489
increasing in length to the last, which measures one-third the length of the head;
longest soft rays alittle more than half the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines
and 8 soft rays; third spine longest, a little shorter than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin
three-fourths the length of the head, not reaching the origin of the anal. Ventral fin
reaching the vent. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle once and a half as long as
deep. Scales denticulate, 51 = ; lateral lines =
Yellowish, tinged with orange on the sides, with four broad olive-brown cross-bands
on the upper half of the body; an interrupted dark streak on each side from above the
gill-cover to the base of the tail; head speckled with brown; an angular olive-brown
band, pointing backwards, from eye to eye on the occiput; a broad blackish band from
below the anterior half of the eye to the mouth; a blackish vertical bar on the
preeoperculum ; an oblique blackish bar, involving the opercular spot, behind the gill-
cover; fins bright yellow, the ventrals black on the outer side ; two large round orange
spots, encircled with red, on the posterior part of the anal fin.
Measurements (in millimetres).
total-lonoiy 2.24: ons Faas hee et een ngs Tee
a yack a Weibhguts camden vag ae ois Seer ees se ers ie teat ge
Groatest. depth-of Body 5 gs ie ae) ee ee 39
Deneih’ or ead: (fee ete ee eg oe ea ee Ay
Width OF ead. 0 cg. ye cogs ue Cee Ste eg a 1B
Tenoth GF stout; 2:5 ee ee See as eae ee a ee 13
Dignieter OF Cy ooo eo eS oe ee es 8
Tntenotbital wasth <i sy See pees be See ep ee ee 10
Leveth-ob instore. spines ca a et ee i
3 longest soft dorsal Page Se ee ee 23
s filter Ale BOING ji eae ah ae me es ae ae ae 12
a longest gotttnal Tayi iso ie ee ee 20
= pectoral o2
A single specimen was obtained in Lake Victoria, at Buganga, by Mr. E. Degen,
15.11.05.
490 CICHLIDE,
4, PELMATOCHROMIS MICRODON.
(Plate LXX XIX. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 441.
Depth of body equal to length of head, three times in the total length. Head
large, with slightly concave upper profile; snout as long as broad, once and one-third
the diameter of the eye, which is four times in the length of the head, once and
one-fourth in the interorbital width, and equals the depth of the scaly part of the
cheek below the eye; preorbital a little narrower than the eye; lower jaw not
projecting ; mouth oblique; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the
eye; teeth very small and few, in three series in both jaws; three series of scales on
the cheek ; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers very short, the posterior strongly
expanded, much broader than long, 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
15 spines and 9 soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures
two-fifths the length of the head; longest soft rays three-fifths the length of the head.
Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays; third spine longest, as long as and stouter than
the last dorsal. Pectoral fin as long as the head, extending to above the base of the
third anal spine. Ventral fin reaching the origin of the anal. Caudal fin obliquely
truncate, upper rays longest. Caudal peduncle once and one-third as long as deep.
Scales denticulate, 32 ae lateral lines . |
Olive above, grey beneath, with six ill-defined darker vertical bars on the sides; a
blackish opercular spot; fins grey, posterior part of dorsal and caudal with small
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length tpt Sei ch ema artes ea a are are 175
- a A na wean a lea” cae eve Seiad ca Bes pe ee
Greatest, depticen: boy <nrie iia, 4 ea: le ae SE. Be 47
PSOE ROL MCAUS eet aan a Re ee Ie ee eG ee 47
RECO INCA) as As San Oy eet Be ie eee ye ROR Tyas 22
Leper OL UU eas 7 f) Bee sate ee ey oe eee at ek a ea 16
Pin inierer sO OO So SEO aif ae a Spey ae 12
Haeuoisotialawy Nlicons tn sept ey tae nee Sons = oP eRe 15
Tenet GL last Cotes spiie eg ay 5 cn aed Se, ag se 19
esse toaccsi deli donad| Ney =a re ee 4. Gf ea ee 29
ea EMRE AINE Le Rian. ea 5 Ale og ee re 19
a Wee Une, Ala PAV. vies: we a sae eee ee as 28
Gey | pectoral e e e e ° ) ® ° e e ® ° e es e AT
PELMATOCHROMIS. AQ]
round darker spots forming regular series between the rays; posterior part of anal fin
with a few small orange ocellar spots.
A single specimen was obtained in Lake Victoria, at Bunjako, by Mr. E. Degen,
5.11.05. |
A small specimen, 90 millimetres long, from Entebbe, which I regard as probably a
young of the same species, has stronger outer teeth, the maxillary extends to below the
anterior third of the eye, and the caudal fin is regularly rounded. Snout as long as
the eye, which is three and one-third times in the length of the head. D. XV 9;
A. III 8; Se. 32 4; lat. 1. 7.
5. PELMATOCHROMIS OBESUS.
(Plate LK XXIX. fig. 5.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 442.
Depth of body twice to twice and a half in the total length, length of head tnree
times. Head broad, with slightly concave upper profile ; snout twice as broad as long
in the adult, as long as the diameter of the eye, which is three and a half times in the
length of the head and once and one-fourth to once and a half in the interorbital
width, and a little less than the scaly part of the cheek below the eye; preorbital
much narrower than the eye; lower jaw not projecting; mouth oblique; maxillary
extending to below the anterior border of the eye ; teeth in two or three series in both
jaws, outer small, inner minute; three or four series of scales on the cheek. Gill-
rakers short, some T-shaped, 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
15 spines and 9 soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures
two-fifths to half the length of the head; longest soft rays three-fifths the length of
the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine stronger but a
little shorter than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin as long as the head, extending to above
the base of the third anal spine. Ventral fin extending to the soft anal rays. Caudal
fin obliquely truncate, upper rays longest. Caudal peduncle once and one-fourth as
long as deep. Scales denticulate, 32 a ; lateral lines oe
Olive above, with very indistinct dark cross-bands, yellowish white beneath ; a rather
indistinct dark vertical bar below the eye; a dark opercular spot; dorsal fin greyish,
blackish towards the border, the soft portion with round dark spots; anal fin yellow,
with two or three large round orange spots on its posterior half; inner rays of ventral
fin yellow, outer blackish ; caudal fin greyish.
3RQ
492, CICHLIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Dotalensth 2. 2, BE gee! Sees eee rs) 110
e, = (without eaudal): 6-2-5 5 ye ee aD 90
Crearess COP OL DON. bois ne eg oa ae o8 37
Dore Or ead ee ga ee ee 42 30
VOL HOM a ee a pee ee 26 te
Mere OL eal. ot ee 12 9
Diaelel OL Oy Cl Ses al ee a eG 12 ee,
miberor pital Width fee fs et ee gs iiss. Bred,
duenoth. of last doredl spine: 4 5 3. ae 18 15
. longest sOLt dOredL Taye. 4. ew 3 27 21
5 VHibe Men ep G gs ge ee a Se 16 13
= lovigest Gott anal Pave 02 ee 29 20
a POCO ee ae ee ee AQ 30
A single adult specimen was obtained at Bunjako, Lake Victoria, by Mr. Degen,
5.11.05; a smaller one was obtained by him at Entebbe, 23.6.05.
PLATYTANIODUS. 493
4, PLATYTANIODUS.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 451.
Jaws with very broad bands of small conical teeth, the alveolar surface of the
premaxillaries widening towards the pharynx, the band of teeth in the upper jaw
horseshoe-shaped, that in each ramus of the lower jaw not much longer than broad ;
Open mouth of Platyteniodus degent.
a very small part of the maxillary exposed when the mouth is closed. Scales ctenoid.
Dorsal fin with 15 spines, anal with 38. | : |
A single species.
1, PLATYTASNIODUS DEGENI.
(Plate XCI. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, 1. c.
Depth of body twice and two-thirds in the total length, length of head three times.
Snout with convex upper profile, its length equal to the interorbital width and once
and one-fifth the diameter of the eye, which is four times in the length of the head ;
mouth not extending quite to below the anterior border of the eye, its width half that
of the head; lips thick; four series of scales on the cheek. Gill-rakers short, 9 on
494 : CICHLID&.
lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 spines and 10 soft rays; spines
increasing in length to the last, which measures half the length of the head; longest
soft rays three-fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays ;
third spine longest, not quite half the length of the head. Pectoral fin acutely
pointed, as long as the head, extending to above the origin of the anal. Ventral fin
reaching beyond the origin of the anal. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle once
and a half as long as deep. Scales very feebly denticulate, 33 - lateral lines =
Pale olive above, silvery white beneath; a blackish opercular spot ; a dark grey band
from the latter to the root of the caudal fin; a rather indistinct dark vertical bar below
the eye; dorsal and caudal fins greyish; ventral fins yellow, the outer rays blackish ;
anal fin yellow, with three orange ocellar spots, encircled with red, on the posterior
part.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length Pe Cee oe Pa aCe Os ge Benen ge Cremer aes «2
" Sess WEL MOU wee gee eden ge a 2 eS
Greanest ceptor Wod wae a) et ete gees a 43
dienoth-or head. 6" i a ere ee ee 38
PY cba Ok Wea dy 2 5 or gat nee Ree ae Soir 20
Hehehe Ol snOub soc 6 Meche ge eT iS 12
Diameten-or eye! 5 ee eet ae eee eee 10
eeROr biel WIG. actus 5 een ae We te ys, as 12
ioewetly of last dorsal spite <3 20eae: Pe ao eas Sh ae 18
. longest sot. donsaltay 4 as eee 28
. Or aie p chit (belo meaes Cie 6) gee Laer aa ere eee eae 16
i lomi@est sont Anak Tatas cis- Ghd acne pete wo 27
- CULE, Rope gee eet gaet ose eae wen aan east ee ee 38
This remarkable fish forms part of the valuable collection made in Lake Victoria by
Mr. E. Degen. A single specimen was obtained at Bunjako on November oth, 1905.
HAPLOCHROMIS 4995
5, HAPLOCHROMIS.
Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berlin, 1888, p. 76.
Ctenochromis, Pfeffer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. x. 1893, p. 149, and Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische,
p. 14 (1896).
Tilapia, part., Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 105, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 452 (1901).
Astatotilapia, Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 299.
Astatoreochromis, Pellegrin, t. c. p. 384.
Teeth in two or more series, the outer conical or bicuspid, the inner usually
tricuspid. Maxillary bone exposed at the end when the mouth is closed. Body short
or moderately elongate ; scales ctenoid; two lateral lines. Dorsal fin with 13 to 19
spines, anal with 5 to 6.
The vertebree number 80 or 31, 15416 in H. desfontainesi, 14416 in H. alluaudi,
14+-17 in ZA. ishmaeli.
Africa and Syria. About 10 species are known, 7 of which are here described.
The fishes of this genus are very perplexing in the variations of characters which
have usually been regarded as of generic importance, such as the shape of the teeth
and the number of anal spines. This state of things has given rise to much synonymy,
and individuals of the same species have been referred to two genera. The outer
teeth are always bicuspid and the inner tricuspid in young specimens, and often also
in females, whilst the outer, and sometimes even the inner, are unicuspid in adult
males, which, in the absence of series of specimens, would be referred to Paratilapia.
The specimens with bicuspid outer teeth may be distinguished from Tilapia in
having the maxillary bone exposed when the mouth is closed, as in Paratilapia.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. Teeth in two to four series ; pectoral fin usually shorter than head. |
A. Caudal fin truncate ; caudal peduncle once anda half as long as deep ; depth of body
more than three times in total length.
D. XIV-XV 10; A. T95 8g. 825k See gs Late werondes, Bla
B. Caudal fin rounded ; caudal peduncle not or but slightly longer than deep ; depth of body
not more than three times in total length.
D. XUI-XV 8-10; A. IIT 6-8; Sq. 25-29 — ss es 2 « « 2. AL, strigigena, Pfeff.
3-5
. XITI-X VI 8-12; A. I-IV 8-11; Sq. 28-36 iis > «+ (+ (8. HL. desfontainesi, Lacep,
D. XVITI-XIX 7-8; A. IV-VI 6-9; Sq. 82-3455, . 4. H. alluaudi, Pellegr.
o
496 ‘ CICHELIDA. 3
IT. Teeth in three to five series ; pectoral fin as long as head ; caudal fin truncate or slightly
emarginate ; caudal peduncle once and one-third to twice as long as deep.
D. XIV-XVI 9-10; A. IIT 8-9; Sq. 30-34 75; gill-rakers 11
to 13 on lower part of anterior arch... yas os +e (CO. EL. stanley, Bler.
D. XV-XVI 9-10; A. III 8-9; Sq. 31-34 7 ; gill-rakers 8 to
2-on lower part of anterior ereh.? 9 6 Aishmaeli, Blor.
ITI. Teeth in five to seven series ; pectoral fin as long as head or a little shorter; caudal fin
_ truncate; caudal peduncle not or but slightly longer than deep.
D. XV-XVI 9-10; A. IIT 8-9; 8q. 32-35 — = £6, ROSE oe ts Ae mas. Elle,
1. HAPLOCHROMIS PERCOIDES.
(Piste XC. fig. 1.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 443.
‘Depth of body three and one-fourth to three and a half times in the total length,
length of head twice and three-fourths to three times; body deepest at the nape.
Snout with convex upper profile, a little longer than the eye, which is four times
in the length of the head, once to once and one-fourth in the interorbital width, and
exceeds a little the least depth of the preorbital; lower jaw projecting; maxillary
extending to below the anterior border of the eye; outer teeth rather large, unicuspid
or some with a faint trace of a lateral cusp, 44 to 50 in the upper jaw, followed by two
series of minute tricuspid teeth ; four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly
part below the eye equal to the diameter of the eye. Giull-rakers moderate and stout,
8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 14 or 15 spines and 10 soft
rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures nearly one-third the
length of the head; longest soft rays nearly half the length of the head. Anal fin
with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; third spine longest, as long as and stronger than the
last-dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, two-thirds the length of the head, not reaching the
origin of the anal. Ventral fin reaching the vent. Caudal fin truncate. Caudal
peduncle once and a half as long as deep. ‘Scales strongly denticulate, 32 = ; lateral
linés 7-5.
Dark olive above (when fresh), ochre-yellow below; four dark brown transverse
bands on the body and a dark brown blotch at the base of the caudal fin; a dark
brown bar across the forehead, and: another, vertical, below the eye; dorsal fin light
olive-brown with a darker longitudinal streak on its posterior portion; pectoral,
HAPLOCHROMIS. 497
ventral, and anal fins ochre-yellow, the latter with an orange spot with dark centre.
Iris white, with a reddish circle round the pupil.
Total length 98 millimetres.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length (svithout eandal)i is St. ery Pee Ik BZ 70
Greatest denth of bedy <5 28! aaa. , eee Peiere ee 20
Then otbeal lead 45-25 sys aa ate De eth: ee ee een 2 24
Wrdelisor eaten? oo Tie eis ae ee a ea ee IB:
Lie OF SMOUK,. gl core sete ale ee eee nee 9 8
Peter OE Oy = ack uh Se bea ee ees ae pe eee 8 6
PELE PO PRL ee WIND ce yg 5g pio ay es oe as Ores? 7
henosh ef Vast dorsalepmie so tere ees ee ee
id longest soft dorsal -vay 25. Gote Fh a ice 2 it
e fhird- analapimec. (<5 eas selae see teres Se 9
6 lonsest. soltiattal tay, at Migesei et oy 2 ee
a meCbora hs = 4.50) ap tas era aes eet eee ee 16
This species is described from two specimens obtained in Lake Victoria at Entebbe
on June Ist, 1905, by Mr. E. Degen.
2, HAPLOCHROMIS STRIGIGENA.
(Plate XC. fig. 2.)
Ctenochromis strigigena, Pfeffer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. x. 1893, p. 155, pl. i. figs. 5-8, and
Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 18, fig. (1896).
Chromis multicolor, Schoeller, Blitter f. Aquarien u. Terrarien Kunde, xiv. 1903, p. 185, fig.
Paratilapia multicolor, Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berlin, 1903, p. 429.
Depth of body equal to length of head, twice and two-thirds to three times in total
length. Snout with straight or slightly convex profile, as long as or a little shorter
than the eye, which is three to three and a half times in the length of the head and
equals the interorbital width ; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the
eye; three or four series of small, closely-set teeth in each jaw, those of the outer
series a little larger, bicuspid in females and young, unicuspid in males; three
series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part below the eye a little less
than the diameter of the eye; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers very short,
7 to 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 13 to 15 spines and 8 to 10
soft rays ; spines subequal or increasing slightly in length posteriorly, the last about
one-third the length of the head; soft portion rounded, the longest ray haif to
38
498 CICHLIDA.
two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 6 to 8 soft rays; third
spine as long as or a little longer than the last dorsal, about one-third to two-fifths the
length of the head. Pectoral fin rounded, three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the
head, not reaching the origin of the anal. Ventral fin rarely reaching the anal.
Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle as long as deep. Scales rather strongly
denticulate, 25-29 a ; lateral lines ey often represented merely by pits instead of
tubules.
Specimens preserved in spirit are greyish or olive, with or without more or less
regular dark vertical bars and with or without an interrupted blackish stripe along the
side of the body; a dark bar often extends from below the anterior third of the eye to
the mouth ; a black spot on the operculum and another at the root of the caudal fin ;
vertical fins with small dark spots; soft dorsal and anal fins dark in the males, with
transverse series of white spots, which may be confluent into streaks; males sometimes
with dark bars across the caudal fin.
Sketches made by Mr. Loat represent the males as pale olive, with the scales edged
with bluish green, the dorsal, the anal, and the base of the caudal fin orange, with
transverse series of blue spots; the female greyish, with blue spots, and the fins
whitish. Iris orange.
Mr. Schoeller thus describes the coloration of living specimens:—The back and
sides are of a light coppery violet, the lower parts whitish, all the scales very iridescent ;
older specimens tend more to a golden colour; the dorsal fin is pale brownish yellow
with irregular rows of pale blue-green, strongly iridescent spots; similar spots are also
found on the head and on the ventral and anal fins as well as on the base of the caudal
fin; the yellow iris is traversed by a black streak and a red spot is present on its
anterior half. Males are more brilliantly coloured and distinguished by a red spot at
the end of the anal fin. During the nuptial period, a sky-blue sheen extends over the
males, the throat and ventral fins of which turn to deep black during the paroxysm of
excitement. When frightened or angry, the fish changes colour, becoming grey-green
with black longitudinal and transverse bars.
This fish is one of the smallest of the Cichlid, as it does not exceed a length of
70 millimetres. It resembles in general shape the young of Tapia zlivi, from which
it may be readily distinguished by the absence of the large ocellar spot on the anterior
part of the soft dorsal fin.
As regards the variation in the fin-rays, I find, in eight specimens from Lake
Mareotis, Dorsal XIII 10 twice, XIV 9 twice, XIV 10 once, XV 8 twice, XV 9 once;
Anal III 6 twice, III 7 once, III 8 five times. In thirty specimens from the White
Nile, Dorsal XIII 9 six times, XIII 10 once, XIV 8 eight times, XIV 9 thirteen times,
XV 8 once, XV 9 once; Anal III 6 three times, III 7 twenty-five times, and III 8
twice.
HAPLOCHIIROMIS, . 499
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
| : 2. 3. 4. ‘sg 6. HE
| Total length (without caudal) ...........-.... | 46 43 42 38 36 33 28
Greatest depth of ody: o.a.5 ceo eis ee ee ee 15 16 14 13 12 10
HOUSE OL NOM 2 oo oo anc ae eee hes shoe Eee 15 15 14 13 12 10
Widthot lena 5 2s see Se, eee | 8 7 7 6 7 6 5
Peng hs OL enOui Se cane ees ene ales bo 4 4 3 a 3d 24
| Petia ber OL CYS crc ec ene ake eet eae ee ena 5 + + 4 4 34 3s
| Interorbital width....... eee te ee I ee ee 5 4 4. 4. 4 . 34 2
oe of last dorsal epilie as- 25. seis ee 6 6 6 5 5 + 34
| - longest soft dorsal ray =.......2.... 10 8 8 i 7 6 5
| & Unied, anal-spine. ces sh nee soe re 6 6 5 5 4 3)
| ‘ longest. soft anal ray. 2.2.4. 285.5065 eT 8 8 Z 6 6 5
Es POOHO INE opel rts Se re ere | abe Or LO 9 2 8 7
| Number of dorsal spines ............ Py: | 14 15 | 15 14 14 14 13
| Penge org.) tu: a'( \geeresd acme 8 Pak tree eies € Fa ie oe aa 8 8 10 9 9
| * ie ater HAVE) cer Govt eee ae Lee | 6 8 i 8 7 7
| : scales in longitudinal series ........ a7 26 29 oF a7 28 26
| ‘g F upper lateral line ........ re 11 cS) 15 10 13 14
_ lower lateral line ........ 9 eee oan) 8 8 7 6
1,2. Lake Mareotis.—Schoeller. 4,6, 7. Gharb-el-Aish.—Loat.
3. Mbusini, German EH, Africa.—Stuhlmann. (Type.) 5. Bujiju, Uganda.—Dawe.
This species was first discovered at Mbusini, in German East Africa. One of:
the specimens, received from Prof. Pfeffer, is preserved in the British Museum.
Mr. Loat collected numerous specimens in the White Nile and the Bahr-el-Gebel,
and Mr. H. Schoeller found the species, which he named Chromis muditicolor, in
Lake Mareotis. ‘The fish is also found to the west of Lake Victoria *.
* Pellegrin, Mém. Soe. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 336, is certainly mistaken in regarding this fish as the |
young of Lilapia kirkii, Gthr., which inhabits Lake Nyassa and the Shire River.
3982
500 CICHLIDA
List of specimens examined :—
8 Lake Mareotis.—Schoeller, 1904.
18 Ina kore at Kaka, White Nile-—Loat, 17-18.4.01.
60 Ina kore at Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile-—Loat, 6-14.4.01.
10 Ina kore at Fashoda.—Loat, 15.3.01.
1 Gondokoro.—Loat, 4.2.02.
2 Bujiju, South Buddu, Uganda.—M. T. Dawe, 1905.
1 Mbusini.—Dr. Stuhlmann, 1888. (Type.)
A number of the specimens collected by Mr. Loat carried eggs or young in their mouth
and pharynx, the eggs measuring 14 to 2 millimetres in diameter. Barely a score of
them, closely packed, fill the bucco-pharyngeal cavity. ‘These specimens are all of the
female sex. Mr. Schoeller, to whom we owe the discovery of this fish near Alexandria,
has made interesting observations on its habits in an aquarium.
He found the fish very pugnacious, and difficult to keep in peace with any other
individual except during the breeding-season, when the male shows himself full of
attentions to the female and exhibits his brilliant nuptial costume. He is then further
remarkable for his tremulous movements when revolving round the female, and makes,
with his tail, a little hole in the sand about two inches in diameter, picking out little
stones with his mouth. According to the disposition of the female towards him, the
courtship may last from a few days to several weeks. No other male is allowed
to approach without being desperately attacked and bitten with fury. One day
Mr. Schoeller noticed that one of the females on which he kept an eye as apparently
distended with ova had lost her rotundity and was swimming about with swollen
throat and erected gill-covers, and to his surprise he observed that her mouth, which
was nearly completely closed, was full of dark yellow eggs.
On removing the female from the aquarium to a smaller receptacle, he found she
made no attempt to get rid of the eggs, but closed her mouth quite tight. In fact,
even when left for a short time out of water females do not abandon their brood.
For a fortnight this female swam about without taking any food, refusing the most
tempting morsels placed before her mouth. During this period, the eggs showed signs
of development in the appearance of little. black dots—the eyes,—and later the
movements of the free embryos could be detected in the “ gular sac.” One morning,
on approaching the glass vessel, Mr. Schoeller was delighted to see a band of about
thirty tiny fry swimming about near the mother’s head. But to his great surprise, as
soon as his presence was noticed, the mother opened her mouth and swallowed the
lot; she then quietly settled among some water weeds, and for some hours no young
were to be seen. On returning later in the day, after a prolonged absence, the
young were found to be about again, and they were once more similarly absorbed.
Mr. Schoeller noticed that the young at once turned towards the gaping mother and
made their way into her mouth of their own accord. A wonderful instinct!
HAPLOCHROMIS. 501
As the fry grow they can no longer all gain admission to the bucco-pharyngeal
nursery, but they still keep about the mother, whom they perfectly well recognize,
and by whom they are defended with great pluck from the attacks of other fishes. As
soon as the young leave her mouth, the mother feeds with great avidity.
These habits haye been verified by Mr. Schoeller on individuals in the free state.
The male never takes charge of the eggs, which number from about thirty to forty.
They are taken up by the female as soon as deposited in a little hole in the sand
and fertilized by the male.
3. HAPLOCHROMIS DESFONTAINESI.
(Plate XC. fig. 3.)
Labrus desfontainti, Lacepéde, Hist. Poiss. iv. pp. 54 & 160 (1802).
Sparus ? desfontainii, Gervais, Zool. Pal. Gén. p. 208, pl. xlv. fig. 4 (1869).
Chromis desfontainti, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) i. 1877, p. 160; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus.
Genova, xx. 1884, p. 429; Rolland, Rev. Scientif. (4) ii. 1894, p. 418, fig.
ITemichromis bloyeti, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) vii. 1883, p. 159.
Chromis flavii-josephi, Lortet, Arch. Mus. Lyon, iii. 1883, p. 141, pl. vin. fig. 2.
Hemichromis gigliolit, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 24 (1896).
Paratilapia bloyeti, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1898, p. 143, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 418 (1901).
Tilapia desfontainesi, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 135, pl. xi. fig. 3.
Tilapia flavii-josepha, Boulenger, |. c.
Paratilapia wingatu, Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) x. 1902, p. 264.
Astatotilapia desfontainesi, Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 309.
Tilapia (Ctenochromis) sparsidens, Hilgendorf, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii. 1905, p. 408.
Depth of body twice and one-third to three times in the total length, length of head
twice and two-thirds to three and one-third times. Snout with straight or slightly
convex profile, once to once and one-third the diameter of the eye, which is three and
a half to four times in the length of the head and equals or slightly exceeds the inter-
orbital width ; least width of the preeorbital two-thirds to once the diameter of the
eye; jaws equal in front, or lower slightly projecting ; maxillary extending to below
the anterior border or the anterior third of the eye; outer teeth rather large,
conical or more or less distinctly bicuspid in the adult, usually bicuspid in the
young, 30 to 60 in the upper jaw, followed by two or three series of small
tricuspid teeth; three to five series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly
part below the eye nearly equal to or greater than the diameter of the eye; large
scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers very short, the larger sometimes T-shaped, 7 to
10 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 14 to 16 (rarely 13) spines and
9 or 10 (rarely 8, 11, or 12) soft rays, subequal from the tenth or increasing in length
002 CICHLID.
to the last, which measures two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the head ; longest soft
rays half to nearly once the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 (rarely 4) spines
and 8 to 10 (rarely 11) soft rays; third spine as long as or a little shorter than the
last dorsal. Pectoral fin more or less pointed, two-thirds to nearly once the length of
the head. Ventral fin reaching the vent, the origin of the anal, or beyond. Caudal
fin rounded. Caudal peduncle as long as or a little longer than deep. Scales strongly
denticulate, 28-36 Ee (five to seven series between the first dorsal spine and the
es
Jateral line) ; lateral lines 755.
Coloration varying from brownish to olive-green, with or without rather indistinct
dark cross-bands, sometimes with an interrupted dark lateral band from the eye to the
roct of the caudal fin; a more or less distinct dark brown or black vertical bar below
the anterior third of the eye ; often two dark streaks across the snout; a dark opercular
spot; vertical fins with or without more or less distinct small dark and light spots, the
dorsal often edged with black in the males; anal usually with several yellow or orange
ocelli, edged with red, in the males; ventral fins yellow in the females, black or
blackish in the males.
The largest specimen referred by me to this species measures 150 millimetres.
Admitting the various forms enumerated in the synonymy to be correctly referred to
one species, H. desfontainesi would have a very wide distribution, extending over the
northern border of the Algerian and Tunisian Sahara, Syria around the Lake of Galilee,
the Bahr-el-Gebel, Lakes Victoria and Kivu, and a considerable part of German Kast
Africa. This distribution is represented by the large series of specimens before me :—
35 Tepid springs of Ain-Umash, near Biskra, Algeria.—Lord Walsingham, 2-38.06.
1 Tepid springs of Cafsa, Tunisia —Marquis G. Doria, 1874.
5 Tepid springs of Cafsa.—J. 8S. Whitaker, 1894. ,
2 Ain-el-Tabigah, Syria.—Dr. L. Lortet, 1880. (Types of C. favir-josepha.)
1 Gondokoro.—Loat, 10.4.02. (Type of P. wingatii.)
8 Gondokoro.—Loat, 20.1-22.2.02.
4) Entebbe, Lake Victoria.— Degen, 29.5-14.10.05.
1 Buganga, Lake Victoria—Degen, 15.11.05.
1 Buddu Coast, Lake Victoria.—M. Simon, 1906.
12 Lake Victoria.—Col. Delmé Radcliffe, 1904.
2 Lake Kivu.—J. E. 8. Moore, 1900.
1 Kandoa, German Hast Africa.—Capt. Bloyet, 1882. (Type of H. bloyeti.)
4 Lake Manjara, German Hast Africa.—O. Neumann, 1893. (Types of 7. sparsidens.)
2 Umbugwe, German Hast Africa —O. Neumann, 1893.
I have long hesitated to accept the suggestion made by Dr. Pellegrin that the
various forms mentioned in the above synonymy should be regarded as representing
one species. However, the large series of fishes brought home by Mr. Degen tends to.
003
I~
HAPLOCHROMIS.
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504 CICHLIDA.
support Dr. Pellegrin’s opinion, and although I do not feel quite satisfied as to the
course here followed, the enormous amount of variation with which I have met has
compelled me to give it my assent, provisionally at least.
I have had large series from two points only in the vast habitat assigned to this
species, viz. from Algeria (the typical H. desfontainesi) and from Lake Victoria. ‘The
specimens from the latter usually differ in having a longer pectoral fin and in attaining
a larger size, but many specimens, which are sexually mature, are no larger than the
Algerians, and the length of the pectoral is subject to considerable variation. Besides,
the two extreme types are connected by the form which has been described as
flemichromis bloyeti. There is a striking resemblance in form, dentition, and
coloration between the small specimen from Gondokoro described by me as Para-
tilapia wingati, and the Syrian fish described by Dr. Lortet as Chromis flavii-josephi.
The above table of measurements, &c., will enable the reader to form some opinion
as to the range of variation according to size and localities, and I append further notes
on the variation of the fin-rays in large series of specimens.
In forty specimens from Algeria and Tunisia, I find the dorsal fin-formula to be:
XIV 10 once, XIV 11 five times, XV 10 five times, X V 11 twenty-three times, XV 12
once, XVI 10 three times, XVI 11 twice; the anal formula: III 9 nine times, III 10
twenty-nine times, III 11 once, and IV 9 once. In fifty specimens from Lake Victoria,
the dorsal formula is XIV 10 once, XV 8 once, XV 9 twenty-two times, XV 10 seven
times, XVI 8 twice, XVI 9 sixteen times, XVI 10 once; the anal formula is III 8
four times, III 9 thirty-seven times, III 10 nine times. In five specimens from Lake
Manjara I count D. XIII 10 once, XIV 9 once, XIV 10 twice, XV 9 once; A. III 8
three times, III 9 twice.
The teeth on the pharyngeal bones are usually conical, but in some of the larger
specimens, from Lake Victoria, they have a tendency to assume the molariform
character exhibited by . alluaudi, the passage between these two types of dentition
being as complete and as perplexing as that shown by the external characters of the
two species.
As in so many of the Cichlide, the female, which is considerably smaller than the
male, protects the eggs and young by sheltering them in her mouth and pharynx. This
observation has recently been made near Biskra by Lord Walsingham. He collected
a large number of specimens in. a tepid spring at Ain Oumash, and most of the females
had the mouth and pharynx full of eggs or embryos. The egg of this fish is not
perfectly round, the upper pole being somewhat pointed; the vitelline sac, when
hanging from the embryo, is pyriform.
Haplochromis moffati (Chromis moffati, Castelnau, C. philander, M. Weber), from
Natal and the Transvaal, is barely distinguishable from H. desfontainesi. Its dentition
varies to the same extent, and examples of it have likewise been described under two
genera. HH. callipterus, Gitinther, from Lake Nyassa, is another close ally.
HAPLOCHROMIS. 505
4, HAPLOCHROMIS ALLUAUDI.
(Plate XC. fig. 4.)
Astatoreochromis alluaudi, Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 385, and xvii. 1905,
PsbS op Vis ie 2,
Depth of body equal to or a little greater than the length of the head, twice and
two-fifths to three times in the total length. Snout with straight or slightly convex
profile, as long as the eye in the young, a little longer in the adult; diameter of the
eye three and a half (young) to four and a half times in the length of the head, once
(young) to once and a half in the interorbital width, once and one-fourth to once and
one-third the least width of the suborbital; jaws equal in front, or lower slightly
projecting ; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the eye or a little
beyond; outer teeth rather large, partly conical and partly bicuspid in the adult,
bicuspid in the young, 40 to 50 in the upper jaw, followed by one or two series of
minute tricuspid teeth; four or five series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the
scaly part below the eye equal to the diameter of the eye; large scales on the opercle.
Gill-rakers very short, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 18 or
19 spines and 7 or 8 soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures
two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the head; longest soft rays half to three-
fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with 4 to 6 spines and 6 to 9 soft rays; last
spine as long as or a little shorter than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, two-
thirds to four-fifths the length of the head, not extending quite to the origin of the
anal fin. Ventral fin reaching beyond the origin of the anal. Caudal fin rounded.
" Caudal peduncle as long as or slightly longer than deep. Scales strongly denticulate,
32-34 eo oe (four to six series between the first dorsal spine and the lateral line);
16-21
10-14°
Olive or brownish, with or without ill-defined dark cross-bars ; some young specimens
dark steel-grey, nearly black on the top of the back and head; a black or blackish
vertical bar below the anterior third of the eye, sometimes another, from behind the
eye to the angle of the preoperculum; vertical fins dark, with more or less distinct
small darker spots; dorsal and anal fins usually edged with blackish; anal fin, in the
males, with two or three series of light, dark-edged ocellar spots.
Lotal length 155 millimetres. 3
Lake Victoria. ‘The original specimens, one of which is now in the British Museum,
were collected in Kavirondo Bay by M. Alluaud in 1904. One specimen was received
in the same year trom Col. Delmé Radcliffe; seven specimens were brought home
lateral lines
3T
506 CICHLIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
1 2 3 a @) 6 7
Total length (without caudal) ........-..2....+: 125 | 120 | 105 78 72 65 60
Greatest depth of bodys. 052 fee a 52 45 39 29 25 25 22
OM SMA ah eek es ee ee ed ee oe Pes Al 39 37 29 25 23 22
mes ISG Hivyou iyo ci Uc ak ta EN namin er ir cela. Ae 2 Deel on ie oo ame 21 20 “Le, 15 2 2 11
sleneth of snout. “vsas ian wicks Rasy Pe etek RAP ee ome: 12 do 10 Se 6 6 6
| DDianiotanet eye! s 2 46y. sa Kia Seen se 10 $) 9 vi 6 6 6
Auterorbital: widta Soul sen 7h be Ptah gis hess oats 12 13 11 8 rs 7 6
Leneth ot last. dorsal spine 45-02... .3.- 4+. .04 tur 22 19 15 14 dia 10 9
a longest soft dorsal Pay ......:..+..4. 33 30 25 Li 16 16 14
iB aes amal Wipe. :! Agarose oe RSs Sees 22 19) | 5 14 11 10 10
longest SOLt Alal Tay <a Aeut ls ie, 35 29 22 18 16 14 14
re WOClOrals 20s Satna en As ea 30 32 29 a2 19 17 18
eINDIDOr Or dorsaleepines. 44; 4. on sind Aka Bhan ape 18 19 18 18 19 19 19
¥. Bolt dorsal Taye: Jeers: Ran, ie 7 7 8 8 8 re if
ALA SINCS <4. ate vba oer ia ee Eree UNA Oh 4. dD 5 4 6 6 6
- SD big Mel RAVE) ie ea heat | eisai opce We 9 7 fi 7 8 7 7
*, scales in longitudinal series .......... 34 33 33 32 34 33 32
3 »» Upper transverse series ...... 4 4 3 3 3 3 3
- ~ lower transverse series ...... 12 re cg 11 igs Lt ie
ij 5 > = upper lateralime 325 25.:— se b a9 21 16 18 | -19 18 18
“3 s lower lateral ine .......... 11 10 14 10 12 F 10
1. L. Victoria—Delmé Radcliffe. 3. Bunjako.—Degen. 5. Buddu.—Simon.
2. Kavirondo.—Alluaud. (Type.) 4,6, 7. Entebbe.—Degen.
from Entebbe (20-21.6.05) by Mr. Degen, and five more form part of a collection
made on the Buddu Coast by Mr. M. Simon.
The dorsal and anal formule are as follows in these thirteen specimens: D, XVIII 7
three times, X VIII 8 twice, XIX 7 six times, XIX 8 twice; A. IV 7 once, IV 9 once,
V 7 three times, VI 6 twice, VI 7 five times, VI 8 once. |
HAPLOCHROMIS, 507
This fish is so closely allied to the preceding that I cannot think of allowing it
generic rank. The essential difference resides in the increased number of dorsal and
anal spines, this being due to the transformation of soft rays into spines, an increase in
the latter being accompanied by a reduction in the former. But as H. desfontainesi
exceptionally possesses four anal spines, just as some specimens of /. alluaudi, even
this distinction is not absolutely diagnostic. HH. al/uaudi further differs in having some
of the pharyngeal teeth molariform, with spheroidal crowns.
5. HAPLOCHROMIS STANLEYI.
(Plate XC. fig. 5.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 444.
Depth of body equal to or a little greater than the length of the head, which is
three times in the total length. Upper profile of head straight or slightly concave ;
snout as long as the eye, the diameter of which is three and one-third to three and
two-fifths times in the length of the head, equals the interorbital width, and is twice
or nearly twice as great as the least width of the preorbital; lower jaw slightly
projecting; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the eye ; outer teeth
rather large, conical or rather indistinctly bicuspid, 40 to 60 in the upper jaw, followed
by two or three series of minute tricuspid teeth; three series of scales on the cheek,
the depth of the scaly part below the eye much less than the diameter of the eye;
large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers rather long, some T-shaped, 11 to 13 on lower
part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 14 to 16 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines
equal from the sixth or seventh, or last longest, one-third to half the length of the
head; longest soft ray two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with
3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine as long as or a little longer than the longest
dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head, reaching the origin of the anal.
Ventral fin extending beyond the origin of the anal. Caudal fin truncate, or slightly
emarginate. Caudal peduncle once and a half to twice as long as deep. Scales
strongly denticulate, 30-34 ee (six series between the first dorsal spine and the
19-22
lateral line); lateral lines 797s.
The type specimens (males) are reddish brown above, greyish beneath ; throat and
opercle blackish ; a V-shaped blackish band, pointing forwards, on the nape; a blackish
‘vertical bar below the anterior border of the eye ; ill-defined blackish spots on the side
of the body, partly confluent into one or two longitudinal bands; dorsal grey, anal
yellow, both blackish at the base, the latter with two or three large orange ocellar
spots encircled with red; caudal fin greyish, blackish in the middle; ventral fins
oT2
508 CICHLIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres).
1 2 3. 4
Total lenath Gvithout:eatidal) ... 0.6. cee eee ee 98 82 79 73
Greatest depth of body ............ iekaeaeatess 28 50 2¢ 20
HOM GEOR CR 5 sco bia oh a aed Few ne a a GA 28 27 27 24
ee eon ead yee oe ie ee ci ee 13 12 11 11
POROUE OL PAGU oF aces de eee tess Gal ee ee 9 8 8 7
Diameter Of ONG" <5 ev Se a Seas tee S) 8 8 vs
Puverorbrtal Width; <4. ae sane ae ate i os 9 8 8 <
deni OF last WOrpalespmie-| ory 6422-2 uai 5 Ses 12 13 12 gel.
ss lonipest-softsdorsal ray 4440 nee es ies 22 18 18 17
: ERIPC CHP RNS ee te Pde ee ee dl, 12 12 11
5 HOUOCSY BOLE ANG TAY Ges ves es eee 21 18 17 alg
- Pettatal si. ao-cp as ne tie bes a Se 28 26 25 24
1. Bunjako. (Type.) | 2,4. Entebbe. | 3. Buganga. (Type.)
black. Four specimens from Entebbe, which I refer to the same species, are dark
brown, without or with mere traces of the markings of the type specimens.
Total length 110 millimetres.
Lake Victoria, discovered by Mr. EK. Degen. The above description is taken from
two specimens from Bunjako (9-14.11.05), two from Buganga (15.11.05), and four
from Entebbe (1.6.05). |
This species, called after the great African explorer whose name stands next to those
of Speke and Grant in the history of Lake Victoria, is allied to H. desfontainesi, but
well distinguished by the larger eye, the longer caudal peduncle, the truncate caudal
fin, and the more numerous gill-rakers.
HAPLOCHROMIS. 509
6. HAPLOCHROMIS ISHMAELI.
(Plate XC. fig. 6.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 446.
Depth of body equal to or a little greater than the length of the head, which is twice
and two-thirds to three times in the total length. Snout with straight or slightly
convex profile, once to once and one-third as long as the eye, the diameter of which
is three and a half to four times in the length of the head, four-fifths or once the
interorbital width, and once and a half to once and two-thirds the least width of the
preorbital ; lower jaw not projecting; mouth not very oblique, extending to below
the anterior border of the eye; teeth very small, in three to five series in both jaws,
the outer largest and mostly bicuspid (36 to 60 in the upper jaw), the others tricuspid ;
three or four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part below the eye
equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye; large scales on the opercle.
Gill-rakers short, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with lo or 16
spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines equal from the eighth or ninth, or slightly
increasing in length to the last, which measures one-third to half the length of the
head ; longest soft ray half to three-fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with
3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine nearly as long as and stronger than the last
dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head or a little shorter, reaching the
vertical of the origin of the anal or a little beyond. Ventral fin reaching the origin
of the anal or a little beyond. Caudal fin truncate. Caudal peduncle once and one-
third to once and a half as longas deep. Scales feebly denticulate, 31-34 ee lateral
y 19-22
lines 10-15°
Females are pale olive-brown above, silvery white below ; a brown or black opercular
spot; a brown vertical bar sometimes present below the anterior third of the eye;
ill-defined, barely distinguishable, dark cross-bars on the back ; dorsal and caudal fins
ereyish, with or without round darker spots; ventral and anal fins bright yellow, the
former sometimes blackish on the outer border, the latter sometimes with two large
orange ocellar spots; lower half of caudal fin sometimes bright yellow. Males darker,
erey or blackish on the belly ; two dark bars across the snout; dorsal fin grey, the soft
portion with round light spots; ventral fin black; two large orange ocellar spots on
the anal fin. Iris dark brown, with a bright red circle round the pupil.
Lake Victoria, Described from thirteen specimens, measuring from 110 to 130
millimetres, obtained at Bunjako, 5-14.11.00, by Mr. E. Degen. One of them, a
female, has the mouth and pharynx full of eggs, measuring 3 millimetres in diameter.
A single specimen was taken at Entebbe by Mr. Degen, 4.6.05.
510 © CICHLIDA.
Measurements (in millimetres).
‘Lotal Jongt (wathomiccaudal inn 09 ce hace ea ee te ea 105 93 87
GHeaLest ep bl Ul NOUNS asi go) betiw aot x5 scan das Bee ee eee et 40) 34 30
poli eu meer Oadl ye race Oy aeteg ce. das a aie ae OS aga ee seas 40 32 28
GMM CHUM Gris cciecs sc ee ON Oe ek peas eR eG 20 16. 13
Mee or ONO 5 be. 3s, sa iierrs See te ee) oh oes 12 9 3 8
Tamer OL VON 4 wks stupuho ee Y Caen RQ «fete ee LOE a 9 8
instereroital wails 2i las, oA seGA ee ee en See ne aa eae a 12 9 8
Length of last dorsal spine .... Mea 15 15 14
FP longest soft dorsal. rays vy 4. ta es eh ee ee 20 24 18
- elie Aine BINS, eit at ty es. 2 hats pee dice tek 15 15 13
ee lOMOESE eOth wiardy Griese Shake «Sms sep Eee 20 24 18
Deelaitlen eres cle hees ET Eon Mek Se es ok ais aS 35 30 ee
- This species has been named after Mr. George Ishmael, Interpreter to the Police
Court at Entebbe, to whom Mr. Degen is indebted for valuable assistance during
his stay in Uganda.
7. HAPLOCHROMIS NUCHISQUAMULATUS.
(Plate XC. fig. 7.)
Chromis nuchisquamulatus, Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berl. 1888, p. 76.
Chromis (Haplochromis) obliquidens, Hilgendorf, 1. ¢.
Ctenochromis nuchisquamulatus, Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 14 (1896).
-Ctenochromis sauvagei, Pfeffer, op. cit. p. 15.
‘Ctenochromis obliqudens, Pfeffer, Arch. f. Naturg. lxiii. 1897, p. 60.
Tilapia nuchisquamulata, Boulenger, Tr. Zool. Soc. xv. 1898, p. 5, and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899,
p- 131; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvii. 1904, p. 183 (part.).
Tilapia sauvagu, Boulenger, Tr. Zool. Soc. xv. p. 5.
Tilapia obliquidens, Boulenger, |. c.
Depth of body twice and a half to three times in the total length, length of head
twice and four-fifths to three and one-fourth times. Snout with straight or slightly
convex profile, as long as the eye, which is three and one-third to four times in the
length of the head and equal to or a little less than the interorbital width, once and
HAPLOCHROMIS. oll
a half to twice the least width of the suborbital; jaws equal in front; maxillary
extending to below the anterior border of the eye; outer teeth rather large, bicuspid,
50 to 60 in the upper jaw, followed by four to six series of very numerous minute
tricuspid teeth ; three or four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part
below the eye equal to or a little less than the diameter of the eye; large scales on the
opercle. Gill-rakers short, 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
15 or 16 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which
measures two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the head; longest soft rays three-fifths
to three-fourths the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays;
third spine stronger but a little shorter than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed,
three-fourths to once the length of the head, extending to the origin of the anal fin or
a little beyond. Ventral fin reaching the vent, the origin of the anal fin, or beyond.
Caudal fin truncate. Caudal peduncle not or but very little longer than deep. Scales
strongly denticulate, 32-35 mae scales on the occiput and nape very small, in six or
seven series between the first dorsal spine and the lateral line ; lateral lines 7
Olive or brownish, with or without ill-defined dark cross-bars, with or without an
interrupted dark lateral stripe; a blackish opercular spot; a blackish vertical bar
below the anterior third of the eye ; one or two more or less distinct dark bars across
the snout; fins greyish, dorsal edged with blackish; anal pink or red in males, with
two to four orange ocellar spots on the posterior half; ventrals yellow in females, black
in males.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total deneslh-( without caudal) ..ii. eae ol ees neg! 100 88 75
Greatest depth of body ............. eh i te 3a Sto oe ee eee. 38 32 27
Length oi hee soho. A. hr eh a Sr oe een Pirie 33 29 27 |
Width, ofligad’ 92) tag sonnei reas eae oe 16 15 a)
Length. of snowts stv. ak ie a een peer aan 10 8 ‘4
Diameter ob eye ge. F aseee each iat et es ee te ee 10 8 7
Taterorbital sedis’ ti eae ae es Oe Pe oe LE 10 8 |
Length ‘of last dorsal spas? si eet a ee ee 17 15 12
i longest sort: dong sage > eet Re ae nk ect eg ; cs 25 21 16
m hire aval spine” occ he ey oleh eis oes 15 Ie 5 eeseeh
- iInpgest soit anal ray oes ee eee fles Poe grap 25 20 16
g oo lp = ill aan eas wees OMe) peli ae ee gee | 27 BS 22
‘Sie. CICHLIDZA.
A male specimen sketched from life by Mr. Degen is represented as pale lilac above,
bluish grey beneath; sides with bars of emerald-green; the anal fin was pink, with
four orange spots encircled with carmine-red and with a red centre ; ventral fins of a
dark steel-blue, the outer rays black. |
H. nuchisquamulatus does not appear to exceed a length of 125 millimetres.
This species was discovered by the late Dr. G. A. Fischer in Lake Victoria. Seven
specimens from Entebbe (2.6.05) and one from Bunjako (5.11.05) are in Mr. Degen’s
Collection. I have also examined two specimens from the Buddu coast of the lake
(Coll. Simon, 1906). Young specimens from Kavirondo Bay (Coll. O. Neumann,
1894) appear to have been correctly referred to this species by Hilgendorf.
Dr. Pappenheim has been so kind as to send me excellent photographs of the type
specimens of C. nuchisquamulatus, obliquidens, and sauvage’, preserved in the Berlin
Museum, which confirm the opinion previously formed by me that these three supposed
species must be reduced to one.
ri
TILAPIA. 513
6, TILAPIA.
A. Smith, Il]. Zool. S. Afr., Fish. (1840); Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 105, part., and
| Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 452 (1901); Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904,
p. 307.
Sarotherodon, Riippell, Verz. Mus. Senckenb. iv. p. 21 (1852); Giinther, Cat. Fish. iv. p. 273
(1862). |
Coptodon, Gervais, Bull. Soc. Agric. Hérault, 1853, p. 81.
Flaligenes, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 471.
Chromis, Giinther, Cat. Fish. iv. p. 267.
Oreochromis, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1889, p. 70; Pellegrin, t. c. p. 354.
Teeth in three or more series, the outer bicuspid, the inner tricuspid. Maxillary
bone entirely concealed under the preeorbital when the mouth is closed, or a very small
portion of its distal extremity exposed. Body short or moderately elongate; scales
cycloid or ctenoid; two lateral lines. Dorsal fin with 13 to 19 spines, anal with 3 or 4.
Vertebree 28 to 52 (14-174 13-15).
Africa and Syria.
A large genus, including about seventy species, eight of which are here described.
Synopsis of the Species.
I. 7 to 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; three to five series of scales on the cheek ;
pectoral fin not longer than head.
A. Caudal peduncle once and one-fourth to twice as long as deep; mouth extending usually
to below anterior border of eye, or beyond ; D. XV-X VI 8-10; scales denticulate.
Diameter of eye twice and two-thirds to three times in length of head,
greater than length of snout or interorbital width; four or five
series of scales on the cheek; caudal fintruncate . . . . . . 1. ZV. martini, Bier.
Diameter of eye three and one-third to three and a half times in length
of head, equal to length of snout or interorbital width ; three or four
series of scales on the cheek; caudal fin truncate . . . . . . 2. T. lacrimosa, Blgr.
Diameter of eye three to three and a half times in length of head ; three
or four series of scales on the cheek ; caudal fin rounded. . . . 3. 7. nubila, Blgr.
B. Caudal peduncle not or but slightly longer than deep; D. XIV-XVI 9-13.
Diameter of eye three and one-fourth times in length of head, greater
than length of snout; scales denticulate . . . . . . 1. . . 4. Ti nigricans, Bler.
Diameter of eye three and a half to five times in length of head,
not greater than length of snout; scales not or but very feebly
AORTIC CIEE foie 4 4. A ie eee ee ee a a DS Te ee
3 U
p14 CICHLIDZ.
IT. 17 to 25 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; two or three series of scales on the cheek ;
scales with smooth edge; D. XV-—X VIII 10-15 ; pectoral fin usually longer than head.
Mouth extending to below anterior border of eye, or between nostril
and eye ; caudal fin rounded in the adult; caudal peduncle deeper
placa ants eee Pee ame ie ater Sy es cho ay LY el mane 6. T. nilotica, L.
Mouth extending to between nostril and eye; caudal fin truncate ;
caudal peduncle as long as deep, or a little longer than deep. . . 7. TJ. variabilis, Blgr.
Mouth extending to below nostril; caudal fin truncate or slightly
notched; caudal peduncle deeper than long . . ... =... 8. TY. galilea, Art.
1. TILAPIA MARTINI.
(Plate XCI. fig. 2.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 449.
Depth of body twice and three-fifths to three times in the total length, length of head
twice and four-fifths to three times; body deepest at the nape. Profile of snout
descending in a steep oblique line; diameter of eye greater than the length of the
snout, twice and two-thirds to three times in the length of the head, twice the least
width of the preorbital; interorbital width equal to the length of the snout; mouth
not very oblique, extending to below the anterior third of the eye ; teeth small, in three
or four series in both jaws, the outer largest and numbering 40 to 70 in the upper jaw ;
four or five series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part below the eye equal
to or less than the diameter of the eye; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short,
some T-shaped, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines
and 8 to 10 soft rays; spines equal from the eighth or ninth, one-third to two-fifths
the length of the head; longest soft rays one-third to three-fifths the length of the
head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine as long as and stronger
than the longest dorsal. Pectoral fin as long as the head, reaching beyond the vertical
of the origin of the anal. Ventral fin reaching the origin of the anal or a little
beyond. Caudal fin truncate. Caudal peduncle once and two-thirds as long as deep.
Scales feebly denticulate, 32-33 ae. Jateral lines eo
Yellowish olive above, white beneath; a dark vertical bar below the eye and
a cross-bar on the forehead ; a blackish opercular spot; a blackish stripe from the
latter to the root of the caudal fin; a second, more or less distinct dark stripe higher
up on the side of the back ; one specimen is uniform dark grey; dorsal and anal fins
greyish, with more or less distinct round darker spots; pectoral and anal fins yellow,
the latter sometimes with one or two orange ocellar spots in the posterior part ;
ventral fins yellow in the females, black in the males.
TILAPIA. g19
Measurements (in millimetres).
Totablength, sacs oes «od oh ee 110 100 79
i ENP ENOuerGnha W)C. , bak. cha Se ee ene, oe 90 8) 64
Greatest depth or DOGy is dsa os ¢ aes ee ee eae gee 33 29 22
ehoth-at Mend. 25. 240 uc poral cue pila ee OR gee ae ee 33 28 22
Widtinet heidos ..fuda ¢. tht eer ee cree eee 16 15 ai.
Length “of saul 75.5 a ee en ee ee ee ee 8 7 5)
Dinmeierson OMe (se going ses ey ss oe ee Tee 10 8
itnherbebital weidih, cok eeeaees oe Me a aes Re g 7 5 ad
Length of last dorsal-spime oss. a: eset ces See ja 12 9
fe lonBeRt sOlt dorsal gage knee see ae we | Lp 12
« third anal spine ...... pba it Wet 2 Pesce tamed senate Sie if 10
= longest Orhan raver. i Perr eee eee a 16 Le 12
Ai PECTORAL Se Pose okaar See a Re oe er 30 7 ot
Lake Victoria. Seven specimens were obtained at Bunjako by Mr. E. Degen,
5—14.11.05.
A female with large eggs in the ovaries has the mouth filled with embryos measuring
8 or 9 millimetres and provided with a large yolk-sac. |
This species has been named after Mr. James Martin, Transport Officer in the
Uganda Protectorate, in recognition of much assistance rendered to Mr. Degen.
2. TILAPIA LACRIMOSA.
(Plate XCI. fig. 3.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 450.
Depth of body twice and a half to three times in the total length, length of head
three to three and one-fifth times. Profile of snout straight or slightly convex ;
diameter of eye equal to the length of the snout and to the interorbital width, once
and a half to once and two-thirds the least width of the prorbital, and three and
one-third to three and a half times in the length of the head; mouth moderately
dU2
916 CICHLID A.
oblique, extending to below the anterior border of the eye or a little beyond; teeth
in three to five series in both jaws, outer largest and numbering 30 to 50 in the upper
jaw; three or four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part a little
less than the diameter of the eye; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short, 7 to 9
on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16 spines and 8 or 9 soft
rays; spines increasing in length to the last, which measures two-fifths to half the
length of the head; longest soft rays three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the
head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays; third spine as long as and
stronger than the last dorsal. Pectoral fin as long as the head, extending to the
vertical of the origin of the anal or a little beyond. Ventral fin reaching the origin of
the anal or a little beyond. Caudal fin truncate. Caudal peduncle once and one-third
to once and two-thirds as long as deep. Scales strongly denticulate, 30-34 ae
lateral lines a
Pale olive or reddish brown above, white or grey beneath ; belly sometimes (in males)
blackish ; usually two blackish cross-bars on the upper surface of the snout anda
broader one on the occiput ; a black vertical bar below the anterior third of the eye,
rarely indistinct or absent; a black opercular spot; more or less indistinct dark bars on
the body, and a lateral series of blackish blotches sometimes confluent into a longitudinal
band; dorsal fin greyish, usually with small darker or lighter spots; anal and lower
Measurements (in millimetres).
Peapalleqoti cvs. wesc, Sania Rr aes hee 110 9 =| 80 70
Pap CWIL OND Catal lia PE Ges «5k speek 82 qo 66 60
Greatest depth of body ....... ia etginbes: £4 3l il 24 20
| engthvol hegd') .ui cis. 4. Tee ae eo aS 26 25 2 48)
ANGE OL OGRE e (Aue ape ture trute eaees Sata we bicyes 13 12 | 10 9
Temata oF anout’ 340s. pe ae Eg SEES Ee areas (fe is 6 6
Diameter of eye ......... ie aa FP a aS (fe; 7 6 6
Teo OR Un WAU caress a: 5 aly aeha te nti s ieee otra 74 7 6 6
Length of last dorsal spine ................. 3 13 11 it 9
re loneestisott dorsal ray 3 ae ) 19 16 15 12
Be UMW Te BS ULINOLs iees. cits ak ote ee es 13 I] it 9
S loncest:solt anal Tay .2. fics aes ss 18 16 17 10
2 POULORAL =. Riese, Mens sons ecgacenis RONG: 28 26 21 20
TILAPIA. 517
half of caudal bright yellow, the former usually with one, two, or three orange ocellar
spots encircled with red; ventral fins black or blackish ; iris white.
Lake Victoria. Thirty-five specimens were obtained by Mr. Degen at Entebbe
(6.05), Bunjako (5-14.11.05), and Buganga (15-28.11.09).
3. LILAPIA -NUBILA.
(Plate XCI. fig. 4.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 450.
Depth of body equal to the length of the head, twice and three-fifths to three times
in the total length. Profile of the snout straight or convex; diameter of the eye
equal to the length of the snout (a little greater in the young) and to the interorbitai
width, once and a half to once and two-thirds the least width of the preorbital, three
to three and a half times in the length of the head; mouth not very oblique, with
thick lips, extending to below the anterior border of the eye or not quite so far; teeth
in three or four series in both jaws, outer largest and numbering 40 to 60 in the upper
jaw; three or four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly part nearly
equal to the diameter of the eye (less in the young); large scales on the opercle.
Measurements (in millimetres).
abel ogee a6 0 cage hee aan mre ee 120 100 85 70
a yc SL EMOTEOUE OANA Sees Sta ey ee aes 100 85 aS 58
Grcmiese epi ol ery <i ya nn a cee 4 Lee eee 36 30 25 20
Lehieln ae HORS 325-5 oir Es ee Rey ee We oe eee 33 30 25 20
Wid Plime teen settee ea rre t ecig yee eer eee ee 16 14 12 9
Leneth of sngnh 2 nt ea eA eee ee eee 93 83 4 5
Diamtoter tof eve 4 ne ree. A cg as te Peasy ps oe ee 94 84 7 6
Interorbital width .......... th ted om tase sae Os 94 83 7 6
Length of last-doteal spine ic, cee as oy ees 1d 15 13 9
zh longest soft dorsal pay 22s e a, 3 eee os 26 25 15 12
4 third analisping rise issrbione as ears 14 13 12 9
a PONVSSE-SOILL Aligt way co acts eee 28 93 14 ]2
ee Se gs Se ae etre renee et pire: ee =. OR. 28 26 22 16 |
518 CICHLIDA.
Gill-rakers short, 8 or 9 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or 16
spines and 8 to 10 soft rays; spines increasing in length to the last or last few,
two-fifths to half the length of the head; longest soft rays half to four-fifths the
length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 to 10 soft rays; third spine as
long as longest dorsal. Pectoral fin three-fourths to once the length of the head,
extending to the vertical of the origin of the anal or a little beyond. Ventral fin
extending to the origin of the anal or beyond. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle
once and one-fourth to twice as long as deep. Scales strongly denticulate, 29-33 —
é 18-21
lateral lines oa
Adult males black, the anal fin and the border of the caudal fin often bright
vermilion ; orange ocellar spots sometimes present on the anal. Females and young
dark grey or brown to blackish, with or without black bars on the body; usually a
black vertical bar below the anterior third of the eye; a black opercular spot; dorsal
and anal fins dark grey or brown, edged with black ; caudal fin grey or brown, and,
like the soft dorsal, with more or less distinct small darker spots; ventral fins greyish
or yellow.
Lake Victoria. About forty specimens were obtained by Mr. Degen at Entebbe,
21.6-11.10.05.
Ihis species is very closely allied to the preceding, differing principally in the shape
of the caudal fin.
4. TILAPIA NIGRICANS.
(Plate XCI. fig. 5.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 448.
Depth of body twice and a half to twice and two-thirds in the total length, length.
of head three times. Upper profile of head strongly curved; snout broader than long,
a little shorter than the diameter of the eye, which is three and one-fourth times in
the length of the head, equals the interorbital width, and much exceeds the least
width of the preorbital; mouth small, with thick lips, not extending to below the
anterior border of the eye; teeth small, in six series in both jaws, outer largest aud
numbering 44 to 50 in the upper jaw; three series of scales on the cheek, the depth
of the scaly part a little less than the diameter of the eye; large scales on the opercle.
Gill-rakers moderately long, 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with 15 or
16 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays; spines equal from the eighth or ninth, nearly half
the length of the head; longest soft rays three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the
head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; third spine as long as longest dorsals.
&
TILAPIA, 519
Pectoral fin nearly as long as the head, extending nearly to above the origin of the
anal. Ventral fin extending beyond the origin of the anal. Caudal fin truncate.
Caudal peduncle slightly longer than deep. Scales feebly denticulate, 31-32 a: lateral
li 21-22
mes 77:
Blackish or steel-grey above, somewhat lighter beneath; seven ill-defined black bars
on the body and a vertical black bar below the anterior third of the eye; a black
opercular spot; dorsal and ventral fins dark brown or black, the other fins dark
greyish brown, the anal in one of the specimens with three orange ocellar spots ;
iris white.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length LE Pe Ee RE Se : 100
- aC ReOWe eardeel eee chee es eee ok aerate fer ees 82
Greatest depth of body . Hees: &, oe
Length of head 97
Width of head . 14
Length of snout a
Diameter o eye 8
Interorhital width. 8
Length of last dorsal spine. 15
‘ longest soft dorsal ray 19
a third anal spine . BS
5 longest soft anal ray 18
26
m pectoral
Lake Victoria. Described from two specimens in Mr. Degen’s collection from
Entebbe (24.5.05), the larger caught with rod and line from the pier.
oy bar IA Zier.
(Plate XCIT.)
Acerina zillii, Gervais, Ann. Sci. Nat. (3) x. 1848, p. 203.
Coptodon zillii, Gervais, Bull. Soc. Agric. Hérault, 1853, p. 80, pl. iv. figs. 5-7 ; A. Duméril, Arch.
Mus. x. 1859, p. 252.
Glyphisodon zilli, Valenciennes, C. R. Ac. Sci. xlvi. 1858, p. 713.
Haligenes tristrami, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 471, pl. ix. fig. B.
Chromis tristrami, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. iv. p. 269 (1862).
Sarotherodon ? zillu, Giinther, t.c. p. 274.
Chromis andree, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 492; Lortet, Ann. Mus. Lyon, iii. 1883, p. 142,
pl. viii. fig. 3; Tristram, Faun. Palest. pl. xvil. fig. 1 (1884).
020 CICHLID2.
Chromis niloticus, part., Gervais, Zool. Pal. Gén. p. 205, pl. xlv. fig. 3 (1869), and Journ. de Zool.
in. 1874, p. 455.
Chromis mossambicus, part., Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lx. i. 1870, p. 23.
Chromis zillii, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) i. 1877, p. 163; Rolland, Rev. Scientif. (4) ii. 1894,
p- 418, fig.
Chromis menzalensis, Mitchell, Rep. Fish. L. Menzaleh, p. 18, pl. iii. (1895).
Chromis tristrami, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 218.
Tilapia tristrami, Boulenger, Tr. Zool. Soc. xv. 1898, p. 6.
Tilapia menzalensis, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 119.
Tilapia zillii, Boulenger, l.c.; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 327.
Depth of body twice and one-sixth to twice and two-thirds in the total length,
length of head twice and two-thirds to three and one-third times. Snout with straight
or slightly concave profile, once (young) to twice the diameter of the eye, which is
contained three and a half (young) to five times in the length of the head and once
(young) to twice in the interorbital width ; width of the preorbital greater than the
diameter of the eye in the adult; mouth rather large, three-fifths to four-fifths the width
of the head, with thick lips; maxillary extending to between the nostril and the eye or
to below the anterior border of the latter; teeth in three to six series in each jaw, outer
largest, 20 (young) to 60 in the upper jaw, and separated from the others by a very
distinct interspace; three or four series of scales on the cheek, the depth of the scaly
part below the eye equal to the diameter of the eye in the young, much greater in the
adult; large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short, 8 to 10 on lower part of anterior
arch. Dorsal fin with 14 to 16 spines and 10 to 13 (usually 12) soft rays; spines
increasing in length to the last, which measures two-fifths to three-fifths the length of
the head; median soft rays more or less produced in the adult. Anal fin with 3
spines and 7 to 10 (usually 9) soft rays; third spine usually shorter than the longest
dorsal. Pectoral fin pointed, as long as the head or a little shorter, rarely extending
as far as the vertical of the origin of the ventral fin. Ventral fin usually reaching the
vent or the anal fin. Caudal fin truncate, rounded in old specimens. Caudal peduncle
as long as deep or a little deeper than long. Scales not or but very feebly denticulate,
50-80 et lateral lines ae
Olive or brown in spirit, usually with six to eight more or less distinct dark cross-
bars, with or without a dark stripe along the middle of the side; a black opercular
spot; sometimes a dark vertical bar below the eye; vertical fins with dark markings,
which often form oblique streaks on the dorsal and anal; a black spot on the base of
the anterior soft dorsal rays; caudal fin often dark, with round whitish spots. But
this species varies very much in colour and markings. According to Mr. Loat’s notes
and sketches, the dark transverse bands are usually of a blackish green, the light inter-
spaces between them being shot with green, blue, or pink; the lower parts are often
of a dark blood-red, which colour may extend to behind the gill-opening. Patches of
QI
Ken)
TILAPIA.
‘Lo][SOYD}—'VIUIPUSX9,P "eT
Cee aye he Gk oe re
St
al
rin
oes ae Os pee ed
rice
EL
"JOT —"BZ19
SL
€I
GI
|
Str
Wea St
OG Oe
ey Ma Rae
g g
Te hee
OP CG
Ct ey
CE May
Ge Ge
Oras
OD Aa ae
Sh ia a ch
Gh eet
8 6
9 8
8 6
iS ie!
Ga leOG
Shee Gps
04 | 06
TI ‘OI
(‘2.198049 "7 Jo edAT,)
(‘aarpun "9 yo ody)
GOL
6
OSL
8
"WBIJSIIT— viias/ VW “Zinsony,
6
“UBUSIL] —'oo[l[Br) Jo "T *y
‘qqespng—"desin ‘ifernyqy = *9
BE ea ai SL
6L IG GG 16
SL lat ol VI
& S 6 6
I& 0& IG SG
OL 6 6 6
ol Sl ol ol
uh ei cL wk
oF 9g 8¢ as
TE av ee 08
0G &G EG GG
LE VS 9¢ Tg
GG 86 86 86
Of 61 0G SG
TI ol GL a
ot SL 61 GG
C6 Deer ets oe
LY vg a 69
09 ¢9 94 68
ok ee ane De 2 Mo
L 9 Gg Vv
rea
0G
(‘seswagpzuau 9 Jo odfy)
oa SL
0G 61
eal ol
6 G
0& 0&
6 6
ét ol
ot ot
89 Fd
09 89
86 6&
19 Gh
T& OV
GG 1g
GI LT
&G GG
8& cP
19 9L
G6 0OT
C0G | 0&6
- +
‘q70Spng—'d[IN BloporA ‘ovley
‘4vo'T—"O10HOpuoHH °C
Ocha 2.) aga al acho We
‘yeoT—"YorezueW “T “OL '8 6%
T
OUI] [VIoyV] TOMOT
‘*** gulp Tedezey roddn
SolfoS OSLOASUBIY To.MOT
Solles osaoAsuvd} soddn
NE ae Oa i eS
66
SOLIOS [VUIPN}LSUOT UI SaTBos
chien ant isehaets Sg 2) an cu 66
"ees gker pesrop qjos
[etopood
‘+ AVI [BUR 4JOS 4sosLOT
“+? ouids jeue pitty
Avd [VSLOP 4IOS 4seSuoy
"sts +s guids [esop 4svl Jo yySuorT
‘++ Apoq jo yjdap 4soqver4
‘sajpos pup shos-uyf fo
SLIQUNU PUD (SALJOWI[[IW UL) spuaumalusvaTy
“YFprM [BV }1q 10.104UT
ako JO LoyourVICT
qnous JO yyoue'T
Pate Secsie ecafa e 2
"* peroy jo yyousry
66
66
66
66
66
ellen billelheel ey weucei hate souids [vsiop jo 19 UN NT
66
66
66
66
"sss (Tepnvo JnOYyIA) Y4SU9T [vjIOT,
ae)
52 ; CICHLIDA.
‘crimson, running in longitudinal series, may be present on the body, becoming fainter
behind. Some specimens are of a dark blackish green, with black bands, and a patch
of dark red below the pectoral fin. Some young may be very pale silvery green, almost
white, sometimes without any traces of transverse bands.
This species attains a length of 290 millimetres.
First discovered in the Algerian Sahara, where it occurs in briny wells, Z. zilliz has
successively been found in the Lake of Galilee (Chromis andrew, Gthr.), in the Lybian
Desert *, in Lake Menzaleh (Chromis menzalensis, Mitchell), and in Lake Rudolf.
M. Letourneux, Mr. Loat, and Mr. Schoeller found it in Lake Mareotis; Mr. Loat in
Lake Borollos, in the Lower Nile, in the White Nile, and in the Bahr-el-Gebel,
Mr. Budgett in the Victoria Nile, and Baron M. de Rothschild in Lake Gandjule
(Margherita). It occurs also in the Niger and in Lake Chad.
List of specimens examined :—
Tuggurt, Algerian Sahara.—Canon Tristram, 1859. (Types of C. tristrami.)
Tuggurt.—Dr. Werner, 1894.
Wed Rir, Algerian Sahara.—Jus, 1884.
Lake Mareotis.—Loat, 12.11.99.
Near Alexandria.—Schoeller, 6.04. '
Lake Borollos.—Loat, 6-7.11.99.
Lake Menzaleh.—Dr. J. C. Mitchell, 1895. (Types of C. menzalensis.)
Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 22.4-8.6.99.
Ghet-el-Nassara, near L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 29.4-11.6.99.
Bahr-el-Tawilah, near L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 29.6.99.
85 Nile near Samannud.—Loat, 12.6-22.7.99.
1 Nile at Cairo.—Loat, 17.6.00.
19 In canal by side of road leading to Pyramids of Giza.—Loat, 6.4-7.3.99.
1 Zoological Gardens, Giza.—Loat, 21.3.99.
3 Lake No, White Nile-—Loat, 22.2—4.3.01.
5 (Gondokoro.—Loat, 20.1-16.2.02.
1 Fajao, Victoria Nile.—Budgett, 25.8.02.
di
1
as
bo BO bO
Dydeicenp || soapy USSSA Gc]
| oor)
So bo
Lake Rudolf.—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1895.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
2 Maureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
3 lake of Galilee-—Canon Tristram, 1864. (Types of Chromis andrew.)
The West-African T. melanopleura, A. Dum. (lata, Gthr.), is just distinguishable
from 7. z2lliz, to which it is very closely related. But it has a smaller mouth, a larger
eye, a usually longer pectoral fin, and the caudal fin is either squarely truncate or more
or less distinctly emarginate.
* According to Panceri (Rend. Acc. Se., Soc. R. Nap. xii. 1878, p. 118) it has been found in the artesian
wells of the oases of the Libyan Desert by Figari Bey (Stud. sc. sull’ Egitto, 1864, i. p. 287),
©
TILAPIA. ; 823
The fishermen of Lakes Menzaleh, Edkou, and Mareotis distinguish this species from
T. nilotica, under the names of ‘‘ Shabar achdah,” or Green Shabar, at the former lake,
and ‘* Bolte hannene”’ at the two latter.
6. TILAPIA NILOTICA.
(Plates XCIII. and XCIV.)
Labrus niloticus, Linnzeus, in Hasselquist, Iter Palast. p. 346 (1757), and Syst. Nat. 1. p. 477
(1766); Sonnini, Voy. Egypte, ii. p. 395, pl. xxvii. fig. 1 (1799).
Chromis nilotica, Cuvier, in Guérin, Icon. R. Anim. i. Poiss. pl. xliv. fig. 1 (1844) ; Sauvage, Bull.
Soc. Philom. (7) iv. 1880, p. 211; Lortet, Ann. Mus. Lyon, iii. 1883, p. 137, pl. vii. ; Mitchell,
Rep. Fish. L. Menzaleh, p. 12, pl. 11. (1895) ; Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1896, p. 218.
Chromis niloticus, part., Giinther, Cat. Fish. iv. p. 267 (1862), and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 490 ;
Steindachner, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xiv. 1864, p. 226 ; Peters, Reise Mossamb. iv. p. 23
(1868) ; Giinther, Petherick’s Tray. 11. p. 216 (1869); Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ix. i.
1870, p. 96; Pfeffer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. x. 1893, p. 149; Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus.
Genova, (2) xv. 1895, p. 28; Pfeffer, Thierw. O.-Afr., Fische, p. 10 (1896).
Chromis guentheri, Steindachner, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xiv. 1864, p. 228, pl. vill. figs. 3 & 4.
Chromis spilurus, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1894, p. 89, pl. x. fig. A, and 1896, p. 219.
Tilapia nilotica, Boulenger, Tr. Zool. Soc. xv. 1898, p. 6, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 112, and Poiss.
Bass. Congo, p. 455 (1901) ; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 309; Boulenger,
Tr. Zool. Soc. xvii. 1906, p. 571.
Depth of body twice to twice and a half in the total length, length of head twice
and two-thirds to three and one-fourth times. Snout with straight or slightly convex
profile, broader than long, once (young) to twice the diameter of the eye, which is
contained three and a half (young) to five and two-thirds times in the length of the
head and once (young) to twice and a half in the interorbital width; width of preeorbital
sreater than the diameter of the eye in the adult; mouth moderately large, half to
two-thirds the width of the head, with thick lips; maxillary extending to below the
anterior border of the eye, or between the nostril and the eye; teeth very small, in
three (young) to seven series in each jaw, outer largest, 30 (young) to 90 in the upper
jaw; two or three series of scales on the cheek, forming, under the eye, a nearly
straight horizontal band which equals or exceeds the width of the naked preoperculum;
large scales on the opercle. Gull-rakers short, 17 to 25 on lower part of anterior arch.
Dorsal fin with 15 to 18 spines and 11 to lo soft rays; spines very strong, subequal
from the fifth or increasing in length to the last, which measures two-fifths to half
the length of the head ; longest soft rays two-thirds to once the length of the head.
Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 to 11 (rarely 8) soft rays; third. spine as long as or
shorter than or a little longer than the longest dorsal. Pectoral fin falciform, once
3x2
CICHLIDA.,
524
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(snunpeds “9 "qvorJ—"fonog lueg, “FT ‘qespng-—dosin ‘oanyy “8 "qvor] ON PFPT °€
yo ody) ‘Atosor.g— ‘ZOYeq— [wdouse ‘Ipevyy “ET ‘quoryy—‘uenssy *) ‘qvoy—unavy Joyrtq °6 ‘S
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LUV SE 1} Ob) SET SER OL) OT ALA OF OR FE SL ST PAT SEO Gt OT) 0" se, Tedos ay aeons *
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TILAPIA. O20
to once and one-third the length of the head, extending as far as the origin of the
anal, or beyond. Ventral fin reaching the vent or the anal. Caudal fin truncate in
the young, rounded in the adult. Caudal peduncle a little deeper than long. Scales
Spee ; 19-25
not denticulate, 31-35 j74,; lateral lines [43
Specimens in spirit are yellowish or brownish, some or most of the scales often
- darker at the base, or lighter in the centre, young specimens with eight or nine more
or less distinct dark bars on the body and a dark spot just below the upper border of
the caudal peduncle; a blackish opercular spot; dorsal and anal fins with blackish
and whitish spots forming oblique series, or with oblique dark streaks ; caudal fin with
more or less distinct dark bars, variable in number. In life the coloration varies from
whitish or pale silvery grey to dark olive, the belly being usually white ; a dull purplish-
red colour may extend over the head and on the lower parts of the body; the dorsal,
anal, and caudal fins may be edged with bright red. Some adult specimens, from Lake
Suksuki, are much spotted with black, and one young, 75 millim. long, from Lake
Menzaleh, described by Mr. Loat in his notes as a “ black variety,” is of a very dark
brown, just showing the usual darker markings.
A coloured sketch of an adult specimen made by Mr. Degen on Lake Tsana
represents the fish as of a pale grey, with small olive-brown and blue spots, the
preoperculum and the gill-cover with a dull red border, the bases of the dorsal
spines bright yellow, the iris grey, with a bright yellow circle round the pupil. Very
young specimens have a round black spot on the anterior part of the soft division of
the dorsal fin, as in 7. zellit, variabilis, and galilea.
Our largest specimen measures 460 millimetres. Dr. J. C. Mitchell records a
specimen from the Fayum measuring 930 millimetres.
The distribution of this species is a very extensive one, ranging from Lake Galilee
and the Jordan southwards to the Great Lakes and Hast Africa, westwards through
the Chad Basin to the Senegal and Niger. I have before me the following series of
specimens —
2 Lake Galilee-—Canon Tristram, 1864.
Lake Mareotis.—Loat, 12.11.99.
Lake Hdkou.—Loat, 29.10.99.
Lake Borollos, in freshwater canal.
Lake Menzaleh.—Dr. J. C. Mitchell, 1895.
ho
a Mi
Loat, 7.11.99.
Oo
9
15 Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 25.4-18.6.99.
8 Ghet-el-Nassara, near L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 29.4-11.6.99.
8 Bahr-el-Tawilah, near L. Menzaleh.—Loat, 26-29.6.99.
1 Nile.—Riippell, 1833.
6 Lower Nile.—Petherick, 1861.
a
* The lower lateral line is entirely absent in a specimen from the mouth of Lake No.
Oe eS Re bd
ho
Hm eb ee
nb bp bo FR Ut
ao
pa
IS SO
CICHLIDZ.
Damietta Nile, near Samannud.—Loat, 12—22.7.99.
Barrage N. of Cairo.—Loat, 19.10.99.
Nile near Cairo, upstream side of barrage.—Loat, 4.8.99.
Near Cairo, in a trench.—Loat, 21.10.99.
Near Cairo, in canal and pools by side of road leading to Pyramids of Giza.— Loat, 6-7.4.99.
In pond near Bedreshen, 8. of Cairo.—Loat, 4.4.99.
Zoological Gardens, Giza.—Loat, 21.3.99.
Beni Souef.—Loat, 12—27.8.99.
Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 5.10.99.
Birket Karun, Fayum.—Loat, 29.9-1.10.99.
Between Assiut and Abu Tig.—Loat, 1.12.99.
Luxor.—Loat, 25.10.00.
Between Luxor and Assuan.—Loat, 9-10.00.
Assuan.—Loat, 5-30.9.00.
Ibrim, Nubia.—Loat, 5.2.00.
Abu Simbel, Nubia.—Loat, 14.2.00.
Kosheh, Nubia.—Loat, 10-12.3.00.
Island of Arko, in a pond.—Loat, 16.4.00.
Hannek, Nubia.—Loat, 24.4.00.
Wad Medine, Blue Nile-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Rosaires, Blue Nile-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
Abu Zugoli, Blue Nile.—Loat, 3.11.02.
Zegi, Lake Tsana.—Degen, 13.5.02.
Bahardar, Lake Tsana.—Degen, 1.6.02.
Between Khartum and Sobat R.—Zaphiro, 1904.
Kaka, White Nile.-—Loat, 17.4.01.
Gharb-el-Aish, White Nile-—Loat, 6-12.4.01.
Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1-26.3.01.
Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04.
Gabt-el-Magahir, between Sobat and Bahr-el-Zaraf.— Capt. Flower, 15.4.00.
Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 28.1.01.
Lake No.—Loat, 2.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 19.1-11.3.02.
Wadelai—Budgett, 7.9.02.
Tsutyaba, Victoria Nile.—Budgett, 8.8.02.
Lake Albert Edward.—Scott Elliot, 6.94.
S.W. shore of L. Albert Edward.—Moore, 1900.
Foot of Ruwenzori, 5000-6000 feet.—Scott Elliot, 1894.
South end of Lake Kivu.—Moore, 1900.
Lofu, L. Tanganyika.—Dr. Cunnington, 1904.
Quola, Hawash R.—Degen, 28-29.2.02.
Hot springs of Hawash R., near Filoa.—Neumann and Erlanger, 15.6.00.
Lake Zwai, 4000 feet.—Zaphiro, 15.12.05.
Suksuk R., L. Zwaii—Neumann and Erlanger, 1900.
on
~)
<a
TILAPIA.
Lake Suksuki, 3900 feet.—Zaphiro, 15.12.05.
Modjo R. (Webi Shebeli)—Neumann and Erlanger, 1900.
Lake Abaia.—Dr. Donaldson Smith, 1895.
Lake Gandjule, 8S. of L. Abaia.—O. Neumann, 1901.
11 Lake Gandjule.—Zaphiro, 10.9.05.
1 N.H. of Lake Rudolf.—Zaphiro, 6.8.05.
7 Ergino R. (Omo), 8000 feet.—Zaphiro, 8.7.05.
J Mwangaden R., Brit. H. Africa.—Prof. Gregory, 1893. (Types of C. spilurus.)
1 Pangani R., EH. Africa.—Sir L. Playfair, 1865.
7 Near Tanganiko, coast of Brit. H. Africa.—Percival, 1901.
1 Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
10 Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
KR wA
pt ot. SS
17 is the usual number of dorsal spines in specimens from the Nile, but in the
Mediterranean lakes 16 predominates. Thus out of sixteen specimens from Lake
Menzaleh, six have 15 spines, eight have 16, and 17 and 18 occur only once; out of
six specimens from Lake Borollos, five have 16 spines and one has 15; out of fifteen
from Lake Mareotis, eight have 16 spines, three have 15, two have 17, and one has
18; whilst 16 spines occurs fifteen times out of twenty specimens from Lake Edkou,
two having 15, two 17, and one 18.
Males grow to a larger size than females, and have the dorsal and anal fins more
produced, but the difference is so slight that it is unsafe to pronounce on the sex
without examining the genital glands. The smallest female carrying eggs or young
in the mouth measures 115 millimetres, the largest 350,
Fig. 36.
——__
Young Tilapia nilotica. x 6.
The nursing habit which this species has in common with so many members of the
family Cichlide was first pointed out by me ina female from Lake Galilee, forming
part of Canon Tristram’s collection. But it is universally known to the fishermen
of Egypt, who, Mr. Loat says, firmly believe that the eggs get into the mouth bya
reversed mode of parturition. Mr. Loat has observed in Lake Menzaleh and in the
Nile that the fish makes holes for breeding purposes and that when anyone
approaches the hole the parent swims round and round the outside to drive away the
528 CICHLID.
intruder. Specimens containing eges or embryos in the mouth and pharynx were
collected at Gharb-el-Aish, Kaka, and Fashoda in March and April, at Gondokoro
in March, and at Abu Zugoli (Blue Nile) in November. The eggs are oval, the
greater diameter being about 3 millimetres, and one female carries from 200 to 800.
Lhe young, immediately after the absorption of the yolk-sac, measure 10 to 12
millimetres, and in their elongate form are more suggestive of Lates niloticus than
of Tilapia nilotica. One of these young, from Gondokoro, is here figured (p. 527),
magnified six diameters.
The Bolti or Bolty, as this 7tdapia is usually called in Egypt, is one of the
commonest luxuries of the people. ‘The best specimens are believed to be from the
Birket Karun.
Mr. Loat supplies the following list of native names :—“ Bolte” or “ bulti” ( “au),
at Cairo, Samannud, Barrage N. of Cairo, Lake Edkou, Lake Borollos, Lake Mareotis,
Kafr-el-Zayat, Beni Souef, Fayum, Rosetta, Assiout, Akhmim, Omdurman; ‘“ Jdolte
abyad” (“abyad,’ white) (44:!), on Lake Hdkou; “ dolte sultane” (_j\elw , jb), at
the Birket Karun, Fayum; “musht” or ‘“misht” (le4<), equally with the word
“ bolte,” but very rarely, and then only by the fellaheen in some places on the Delta and
in the neighbourhood of Cairo, but at Akhmim, Girga, and Nag Hamadeh it is used
99
as well as the word “ dolte”; “ shabar” ( Ls ) is the universal word for the genus
at Lake Menzaleh, the present species being termed ‘“ Shabar abbied,”’ or White
Shabar:. “shar. ( 4), on Lake Borollos and Lake Menzaleh, where this term is some-
times applied to small fish of this kind; “ ashweet” (4:44), the name given to small
“bolte” at the Birket Karun; “guncharr” (_j'ss\S) (“‘kuyar,” said to mean artichoke),
a term sometimes applied to medium-sized “ dolte” at Kom-de-Mees, Lake Borollos ;
“ fratel’a” (\al_4), between Shellal and Korosko.
This Tilapia is notable as most frequently appearing in the graphic and plastic
representations of the ancient Egyptians. The oldest known representation (before
5000 3.c.) is the glazed pottery model of MHierakopolis*. Bronze figures are
abundant in collections; there is an ivory figure from the tomb of Magadah f. Very
numerous figures of the fish are recognizable in the mural paintings {.
* Of. Quibell, Hierakopolis (Egypt. Res. Account, iv. 1900), pl. xxu.
+ Of. J. de Morgan, Ethnoegr. Préhist. (Paris, 1897), p. 193, figs.
+ Fishing-seenes of the pyramids of Giza and Sapara (cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pls. ix. & ~
xlvi.).—Tomb of Ti, Sakkara (photograph in Prof. Flinders Petrie’s collection).—Tomb of Ptah Hotep
(cf. Quibell, The Ramesseum, 1898, pl. xxxii.).—Chapel of Ptah Hotep (cf. N. de G. Davies, The Mastaba
of Ptahhetep, 1900, pl. xxv.).—Tombs of Deir el Gebrawi («f. N. de G. Davies, Deir el Gebrawi, 1902, i.
pis. lli.-vi., il. pls. iv., V.).
TILAPIA. 529
7. TILAPIA VARIABILIS.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 447.
Chromis niloticus (non Linneeus), Hilgendorf, Sitzb. Ges. naturf. Fr. Berlin, 1888, p. 76.
Tilapia galilea (non Artedi), Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi, LU0D,p. Lao.
Depth of body twice and one-fourth to twice and a half in the total length, length
of head twice and four-fifths to three times. Snout with convex profile, broader than
long, once (young) to twice the diameter of the eye, which is contained three and a
half (young) to six and a half times in the length of the head and once anda half (young)
Fig. 37.
Tilapia variabilis. 2 nat. size.
to three times in the interorbital width; mouth rather small, scarcely oblique, half to
two-thirds the width of the head, extending to between the nostril and the eye; teeth
very small, in four to eight series in each jaw, outer largest, 00 (young) to 120 in the
upper jaw; two series of scales on the cheek, forming a narrow oblique band which,
in its widest part, does not exceed the width of the naked preeoperculum ; large scales
on the opercle. Gill-rakers moderately long, 17 to 19 on lower part of anterior arch.
Dorsal fin with 16 to 18 spines and 11 to 12 soft-rays; spines very strong, subequal
from the fifth, or last longest, one-half or a little less than one-half the length of the
head; longest soft rays three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin with 3
3 Y
Do0 CICHLIDA.
(rarely 4) spines and 10 or 11 soft rays; third spine two-fifths to half the length
of the head. Pectoral fin falciform, once and one-sixth to once and one-fourth the
length of the head, extending as far as the origin of the anal, or beyond.
Ventral fin reaching the vent or not quite so far, rarely the origin of the anal.
Caudal fin truncate, more or less obliquely in the adult, with the lower angle rounded.
Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little longer than deep. Scales not denticulate
- eee 20-22
31-385 775,; lateral lines ear
?
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of fin-rays and scales.
] 2 3 a J 6 7 8
Total length (without caudal) ............ BEN a) 215-200 | 115 | 80 70 | 60 | 35
Uyrestest deptho1 body... i pd. Fos as 110 Pi SG SL. 36 30 | 28 15
Congth ebhend <2, 22 (95 oe 8 ey 2s. | 20 | 1.
Wage Ot Head pi aos aa es ee 98 | 42 38 a | 15 12 1: oe ee:
spOURTAAOL SNOW) os pe ee 98 | 25 | 22 11 po eae eee 34
MCLG OL UYO= ieee eng cea A 15 15 | 14 10 7 ‘é 6 oA
ihiterororunl Wid ting <0. 5 atts ok SS ese 45 33 OZ 15 | 9 Eee keen | 4
Lergth of last dorsal spine .............. 41 31 30 18 tf. 12 a 8 5
= longest soft dorsal ray ........ 53 | 44 42 27 16 14 | ee eae y
: third anal spine: os ieee ee 3 38 27 27 fo. ee Ae 10 5
= Jongest soft anal ray .......... 50 42 | 38 25 | 16 14 13 | y
st pectoral 40022 en, 108 | 91° | 80 | 46 | 33°| 27 | 95 | 12
Number of al PULODR ese eee Bee: 17 16 17 | a ae yok | 16
% aot dorsal PAYS 5 a aers oan 11 1b Oe ers 11 11 11 Li? =|) oh?
Scannl Taya. Soe es Ate MOG 0c 1) 2 | 10 eee
5 scales in longitudinal series ... ; o4 32 | 32 31 32 | 32 | 32 Sa
= » Upper transverse series. 5 4 4 3 34 | 34 | 3: 31
a | », lower transverse series || 16 1o 16 16 16 | 16 16 16
3 3. -<pper. lateral line... ...|< 22 21 20 20 Pile = OY og eee ey
; Ss uae ine es Ha atl fae cee Bie bt as 1 a
tp a
1, 3, 5, 6, 7. Entebbe. | 2, 4,8. Bunjako.
TILAPIA. DOL
Coloration very variable, some specimens olive-brown, others brilliant vermilion on
the sides, others bright yellow with black markings and with the dorsal and caudal
fins edged with red. Iris grey or dark hazel, with a red circle round the pupil.
Young with or without dark cross-bands on the body and oblique dark bands on the
soft part of the dorsal fin, and with a blackish ocellar spot on the anterior part of
the soft dorsal fin.
The largest specimen measures 520 millimetres.
This species inhabits Lake Victoria. Over a hundred specimens were obtained by
Mr. Degen at Entebbe (June to Nov. 1905), five at Bunjako (5-14.11.05), and one at
Buganga (22.11.05).
Tilapia variabilés is in many respects intermediate between T. nilotica and T. galilea.
It differs from both in the longer caudal peduncle, and also, usually, in the smaller eye
and fewer soft rays in the dorsal fin.
8. TILAPIA GALILAIA.
(Plate XCV.)
Sparus galileus, Artedi, in Hasselquist, Iter Palast. p. 343 (1757),
Tilapia pleuromelas, A. Duméril, Arch. Mus. x, 1859, p. 253.
Tilapia lateralis, A. Duméril, 1. ¢.
Tilapia macrocentra, A. Duméril, t. c. p. 256.
Chromis ? galileus, Ginther, Cat. Fish. iv. p. 273 (1862).
Chromis niloticus, part., Giinther, t. c. p. 267, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 490, and Petherick’s Trav.
i. p. 216 (1869) ; Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lx. i. 1870, p. 964, pl. iv. fig. 1.
Chromis niloticus, Steindachner, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xiv. 1864, p. 226; Tristram, Faun.
Palest. pl. xviii. fig. 1 (1884).
Chromis tiberiadis, Lortet, Ann. Mus. Lyon, iii. 1883, p. 135, pl. vi.
Chromis microstomus, Lortet, t. c. p. 139, pl. viii. fig. 1.
Tilapia galilea, Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 114; Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi.
1904, p. BIL. |
Depth of body once and five-sixths to twice and a half in the total length, length of
head twice and two-thirds to three times. Snout with straight or convex profile,
broader than long, once (young) to twice and one-fourth the diameter of the eye,
which is contained three and one-fourth (young) to six times in the length of the head
and once (young) to twice and a half in the interorbital width; width of preorbiial
ereater than the diameter of the eye in the adult; mouth small, not more than half
the width of the head, with thick lips, extending to below the nostril; teeth very
small, in three (young) to ten series in each jaw, outer largest, 40 (young) to 120 in
3Y2
532 CICHLIDA.
the upper jaw; two or three series of scales on the cheek, forming a narrow oblique
band which in its widest part does not exceed the width of the naked preoperculum ;
large scales on the opercle. Gill-rakers short, 18 to 25 on lower part of anterior arch.
Dorsal fin with 15 to 17 spines and 12 to 14 soft rays; spines very strong, increasing
in length to the last, which measures three-fifths to two-thirds the length of the head ;
longest soft rays half to once the length of the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and
10 to 12 soft rays; third spine as long as or a little longer or a little shorter than the
last dorsal. Pectoral fin falciform, once to once and two-fifths the length of the head,
extending as far as the origin of the anal, or beyond. Ventral fin reaching the vent or
the anal. Caudal fin truncate or feebly notched. Caudal peduncle deeper than long.
34-42 19-22
Scales not denticulate, 30-34 7; ; lateral lines iis
Whitish to brownish or olive-green, uniform or with small dark spots, or with ill-
defined darker streaks along the series of scales; a more or less distinct dark opercular
spot; vertical fins greyish or brown, without markings in the adult. Young with
o to 9 more or less distinct dark transverse bands on the body, and oblique dark
streaks on the dorsal and anal fins; a round blackish spot is present on the anterior
part of the soft part of the dorsal fin in very young specimens.
The largest specimen examined by me measures 420 millimetres. |
Tilapia galilwa is known from Lake Galilee and the Jordan, the Nile from its
mouths to Gondokoro, West Africa from the Senegal to the Niger, and the Ubanghi.
List of specimens examined :—
3 Lake Galilee—Canon Tristram, 1864.
5 Lake Mareotis.—Loat, 12.11.99.
1 Near Ghet-el-Nassara, Lake Menzaleh, in freshwater pool.—Loat, 11.6.99.
1 Near Cairo, in trench by side of road to Pyramids of Giza.—Loat, 6.4.99.
9 Loological Gardens, Giza.—Loat, 14-21.3.99.
8 Birket Karun, Fayum.—Loat, 29.9-1.10.99.
2 Bahr-el-Tawilah, Fayum.—Loat, 26.6.99.
1 Bahr Selah, Fayum.—Loat, 6.10.99.
1 Khartum.—Petherick, 1861.
27 Omdurman.—Loat, 21-26.5.01.
Rosaires, Blue Nile.-—Loat, 31.10.01.
Gondokoro.—Loat, 13.1.02.
St. Louis, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Kaédi, Senegal.—Delhez, 1899.
Gambia.—Sir A. Moloney, 1884.
Gambia.—Budgett, 1900.
Niger.—W. A. Forbes, 1883.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Dr. Christy, 1899.
Jebba, Upper Niger.—Capt. G. F. Abadie, 1899.
Pe ooh Ww OON Fe
533
TILAPIA.
| “MAYS —"O9]T[CH) TT “9
wore, Mente neon © SLE Sat nc ae gall
“JOT —"vaeest N-T0-JOULH ‘CT ‘4B0rT—"YRjoG IV °2 T NI Sy fh als a 2
“WoT —YVIIMey-[o-IGVq “ST "Z9y[9q— [Rsoueg ‘Ipseyy Yd, *jvorJ—"so.iresoyy T
AUS, 5 5M, SN eIe S S g aeietee ya de 2h ORs Ne) a a
ei oh eel Sheet ee et Wel ei Vb) ae ee OL | pp | ter sete teres som eae aomope) & s
Ue Oe N06 Mectie MOGs Oce! O67. 61 | tol GL ae0en le | 0g hte tet ‘oes eur [edeqey toddn
ED PY OT Gla OF, PSE ole) Gh Pi | St.) SE MOL ord PE er [octet eer worden OSIOASTBI] TOMOT —
Pe en, ieee en yee mea ach. ae Pope ea eR ey chap. [eet Gee ese ' solos ostoasueay seddn «“
Cees aco lem Ge) PaGtlegen aculale is [eel ee) REMROE LT Ce lage i 8 ttc ergs. she 4% "* SOl10s [VUIPNyLSUOT Ur seyess ‘
a ra tale | Soe Rie ae ee es ee eel eg Oe ee ee ete wile ama og Ree mera « :
CRVel ae merit Ge Gio errel | err ol.) Slo Pr ein SE Pep ts ilo ee ieee ss Sorte tse shea Tesop 4Jos ‘
Ot eee eee OL tai On OL OLE Ot eh WO) 27 MO pul cee ath eS et es sa sts s ss gourds [estop jo toquinyy
GL Ge ueee \epra. CS tO | Fa Ge) 66 LOL ee | Galinoks) Srilveet be Pera tka” 1Gaul sf, \iiaumednigg 7S
TL pGleata ye ope. ne Grr Gy |ceceitys OU pe ier eg ce ses ai "coc * kur [eae qos ysosuop =“
8 VMGha et, seta Oa eaten oe | Tears |. Op mer | er ep 1s ten ae ie iat eae ‘*** ourds [eue pag
LL VE 0G ase neee yee irene Se coyelnOe 08 | 86] Peiiee | oe whe mat nn "+++ Avr [estop qyos ysesuop =
8 | GI | GT | ST | 22 | 6s | 62 | GE | 98 | SE | OF | OF | OG | OF | Te [ttt mess ** onde peszop yee] Jo yySuer]
PPG ail eal ase ssi Gib mieten. eae iaeam | ah tere) GAZ sige Mm past Perr hie esr seen eae ees aan « OO aA Hea OT IT
g |2) 6 6 Ow ar Sere ee lcetch 2) Of b EE er er Moe [emer eae eee qa iit SOGRG Se st Use oa mnol ens aT EE
¢ lt, |orlit| st| st orl eel tel sel tel eet oe) te] ap lc cette eee eee sees gnome zo qySu07
Pe ed heeilnny ees tye ead | oct etre leneiicanilltag [Meds bincence tala nn SS Ars ae ities! paele aa eine
EGO Weee Wwe Gra eG, bebe 2G | Or Oss) G2! SEN OLN OLE GLE tt eet st ee eee Eo ORES ESOS SH +O Sea ee tea
Ge | 7S | Gr | 0S 1 02) GL \-e2|, 66 | STI] SOT] SIL OFT] SET] GOL) e9T|*:*° °°: ign aR Er eve ‘*** Apoq Jo yydop 4sozvo.ry
GF | Ch-/ 66 | SOM 0GT OST-0LT O61) eda) SIZ O82! LZ) OTe] Ose ORE * ott tte sorres* ((epneo qnoyyim) 4ysu97 [eIO,
le Wri taps ages | OEE Oy 6 8 *L Y G | 2 rS G ‘T
‘sappos pup shot-uyf fo saaquunu pun (SoTJOUIT][IVA UT) spuauamsvary
N34 CICHLIDZ.
1 Mureji, Upper Niger.—Budgett, 1903.
2 Abo, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
10 Agberi, Lower Niger.—Dr. Ansorge, 1902.
1 kK. Benue, N. of Ibii—Norton Smith, 1905.
1 Banzyville, Ubanghi.—Capt. Royaux, 1901.
Dr. Pellegrin has observed, on specimens from Lake Menzaleh, that the female
takes charge of the eggs and young in the same manner as 7’. nélotica. A specimen
195 millimetres long had the pharynx closely packed with about two hundred embryos
measuring 8 or 9 millimetres. Another specimen, 210 miullim. long, carried about
one hundred to one hundred and fifty eggs. Dr. Pellegrin has also pointed out the
fact, which I have been able to verify in other species, that such nursing specimens
may have ripe eggs in the ovaries, so that the release of the young from parental care
is soon followed by another brood.
Mr. Loat observes that, speaking generally, the fishermen of the Nile recognize only
one kind of Zilapia (“ bolte”’), but at the large lake or Birket Karun in the Fayum
they distinguish two, viz. 7. galilwa as “‘ bolte malowt” (Lspye (dol), and 7. nilotica as
“bolte sultane”’ (_iblw _ tab).
In one of the tombs of Deir el Gebrawi, this 7i/apia is represented in perfectly
recognizable manner beside 7. nzlotica *.
* Of. N. de G. Davies, Deir el Gebrawi, 1902, i. pl. xxi. (third fisb in net).
e)
Or
PETROCHROMIS.
7. PETROCHROMIS.
Boulenger, Trans. Zool. Soc. xv. 1898, p. 20, and Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 479 (1901) ;
Pellegrin, Mém. Soc. Zool. France, xvi. 1904, p. 350.
Barely separable from Ti/apia, differing only in the broader bands of teeth in the
jaws, the teeth being all very slender with expanded tricuspid crowns bent inwards.
Two species from Lake Tanganyika, one from Lake Nyassa, and one from Lake
Albert.
Fig. 38.
TKKAK HN APRA AES
EG
wo eee se eww ene 4
Dentition of Petrochromis andersonit.
1, PETROCHROMIS ANDERSONII.
(Plate XCVI.)
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 13; Pellegrin, t. c. p. 351.
Depth of body twice and one-fifth in the total length, length of head three
times. Snout once and two-thirds the diameter of the eye, which is contained five
times in the length of the head and twice and one-fourth in the interorbital width ;
mouth with thick lips, extending to between the nostril and the eye; teeth extremely
numerous, all tricuspid; three series of scales on the cheek; large scales on the
opercle. Gill-rakers short, 25 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal fin with
16 spines and 13 soft rays ; spines very strong, increasing in length to the last, which
536 CICHLIDA,
measures about half the length of the head; longest soft rays a little longer than
the head. Anal fin with 3 spines and 10 soft rays; third spine shorter than the
last dorsal. Pectoral fin falciform, much longer than the head, reaching a little
beyond the origin of the anal. Ventral fin reaching the anal. Caudal fin truncate,
very slightly emarginate. Caudal peduncle slightly deeper than long. Scales not
denticulate, 32 a3 lateral lines a
Olive above, the scales darker at the base; yellowish beneath, mottled with brown
and mother-of-pearl ; a black opercular spot; spinous dorsal and anal with numerous
dark horizontal streaks; soft dorsal and caudal with round light spots on a dark
ground ; soft dorsal fin edged with bright yellow. 7
Measurements (in millimetres).
Total length We te a ee oe age AO
s oa « OU E CaMieielr) y= on tees he ee ee GRO
Gaaaiesiep a en eee. es See et. eatin tte) AD
ee ac ee oe eee) ee eb,
NUCL OL GONG Caren Santee Wate bone: eM age se! Be phe Gos 64
bemetheol pratt etree er he on as SE eS ke a
Pimrcner cot Oye ek Ree 2 es a, Eee ene ce 22
aie nO eit ete Wlease Veet shin eres ea ot eit a vate 50
ene nen ier COren spine ca. ss ae gk D3
- lomo cai eoi wm areal Pay ea ay et Se es oe AD
= Pre edca tal lea uitne aay. oar gi yg Se Al
‘ lomoeet Goleta wees hee wala ae 2 tO
& ec ieral ica nese Gomgamee <P iS ee BD
This fine fish, one of the largest of the family Cichlid, is described from a single
specimen obtained in Lake Albert by Mr. J. E. 8. Moore in 1900, and named in
memory of Dr. John Anderson. It is closely allied to P. tanganice, Gthr., from which
it differs in the last dorsal spine being much longer than the middle one.
ELEOTRIS. O37
GOBIIDZ.
Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. Lower pharyngeal
bones separate. Two nostrils on each side. Suborbital arch ligamentous or absent.
Gill-membranes more or less broadly attached to isthmus ; gills four, a slit behind the
fourth. Scapula and coracoid more or less reduced or even vestigial ; pterygials large,
4 or 5 in number, forming together a thin plate which is in contact with or narrowly
separated from the clavicle ; one or two of the pterygials in contact with the coracoid.
Ventral fins thoracic, with a feeble spine and four or five soft rays, sometimes united
to form a sucking-disk. Usually two distinct dorsal fins, the first formed of slender,
flexible, non-articulated, simple rays, the second similar to the anal. All or most of
the precaudal vertebre with transverse processes bearing the ribs. Air-bladder often
absent.
A large, almost cosmopolitan family of carnivorous fishes, mostly inhabitants of the
sea or brackish waters, or occurring in both salt and fresh water. The genus Heotris,
with which we have to deal here, consists principally of freshwater species. It may
be regarded as the most generalized type of the Gobiide, which include such remarkably
aberrant forms as the Walking-fish or Jumping-fish, Pertophthalmus, so common at the
mouths of tropical African rivers. ee
1. KLEOTRIS.
Gronovius, Zoophyl. p. 83, part. (1781) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. ii. p. 105 (1861).
Body moderately elongate, covered with ctenoid scales. No lateral line. Teeth
small. ‘Two dorsal fins, the anterior with 5 to 8 rays. Ventral fins distinct. Air-
bladder present.
This genus includes close upon a hundred species, mostly from the Tropics. Fourteen
species are known from the fresh waters of Africa. Until Mr. Loat’s discovery of
the species here described, no Gobiids were known from the Nile.
a
Cr
wo
io 2)
GOBIIDA,
1. ELEOTRIS NANUS.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) vii. 1901, p. 446.
Body cylindrical or a little compressed, its depth nearly equal to the length of the
head and contained four times in the total length. Head as broad as deep, naked ;
snout broad, rounded, as long as the eye, the diameter of which is contained four
times in the length of the head and nearly equals the interorbital width; lower jaw
projecting ; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the eye; no canine
teeth; no preopercular spine. Dorsal fins well separated from each other, the first
Fig. 39.
Eleotris nanus. x 2.
with 5 very slender rays, the second with 10 rays, the longest of which measure about
two-thirds the length of the head. Anal fin opposite to the second dorsal, with 8 rays.
Pectoral fin about three-fourths the length of the head, nearly as long as the ventral
fin. Caudal fin rounded, nearly as long as the head. Caudal peduncle twice as long
as deep. Scales strongly ciliated, 29 or 30 in a longitudinal series, 9 between the
origin of the second dorsal fin and the anal.
Measurements (in millimetres).
Gta eG gblba, ag hae ee eee ee ee tae tt 38
= cial WEtILOUNl COMI Ss) ae Sue ta ae a ee De al,
Length of head . 8
Width of head . Sn Ra a eae gee aig Se ee 6
PIU RMU Seo ea PR ae el hoe oe 2
Diameter of eye. 2
Interorbital width . oe | ee eees Pee 2
Thon gent -rawror COMA LY oh ee 8 ety ne ete 5}
Acie tli ot ieee igh Sa ae Se, ee Sie eae oe 6
3 9 ventral ° e e e e e e e e e e . e e “i e FS
ELEOTRIS. | 539
A coloured sketch by Mr. Loat represents the fish as greyish olive, with the belly
pinkish ; the body is dotted and marbled or irregularly barred with blackish, and there
are vertical dark bars on the sides of the head; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with small
blackish spots; a black bar at the base of the caudal fin.
The first specimen of this species was found by Mr. Loat in a pond left by the Nile
near the Third Cataract, three miles north of Kermeh, in April 1900. Four further
specimens were obtained by him at Fashoda in February and March 1901, and another
at the mouth of Lake No on February 5th, 1901.
E. nanus bears some resemblance to Z&. lebretoni, Stdr., from the Senegal, which is,
however, well distinguished by its longer anterior dorsal fin with 8 rays and its longer
pectoral fin. It is much more nearly related to EL. cyprinoides, C. & V., from the fresh
waters of Mauritius, which is only known to me from Valenciennes’s description, the
specimen referred to it by Giinther (Cat. Fish. iil. p. 118) belonging to a distinct
species (£. guentheri, Blkr.).
oh)
S
bb
540 MASTACEMBELIDA.
OPISTHOMI.
MASTACEMBELID.
Body more or less Hel-shaped; a series of short spines detached from the very
elongate dorsal fin, which is more or less confluent with the likewise very elongate
anal fin. A single nostril on each side. Mouth not protractile, bordered by the
premaxillaries, to the upper border of which the maxillaries are attached. Gill-
openings inferior; gills four; branchiostegal rays six; no pseudobranchie. Vertebre
numerous (72 or more), the preecaudals with transverse processes bearing the ribs.
Carnivorous fishes from fresh and brackish waters of Southern Asia and Tropical
Africa. ‘Two genera are known, one of which is represented in Africa.
These curious fishes, which stand to the Acanthopterygians much in the same
relation as the Eels to the Malacopterygians, were long believed to be characteristic of
the fresh waters of Southern Asia, At present, however, the African species far exceed
the Asiatic in number.
Little is known of their habits. Day observes of the Indian species that they are
fond of concealing themselves in mud, and that they require to occasionally breathe
atmospheric air, becoming drowned or asphyxiated if prevented from reaching the
surface of the water. ‘They are said to be excellent as food.
1. MASTACEMBELUS.
Gronovius, Zoophyl. p. 133 (1781), part. ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. iii. p. 540 (1864) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 490 (1901).
Snout ending in a trifid dermal appendage, which is not striated inferiorly. Jaws
with a band of cardiform teeth. ‘Scales very small. 7 to 39 spines in the dorsal fin,
1 to 3 in the anal.
Thirty-eight species are distinguished, thirteen inhabiting South-eastern Asia, one
Mesopotamia and Syria, and twenty-four Tropical Africa. One species is represented
in Lake Victoria.
MASTACEMBELUS. 541
1. MASTACEMBELUS VICTORLA.
Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xii. 1908, p. 218.
Depth of body eleven to fourteen times in the total length, length of head (without
rostral appendage) seven and a half to nine times. Vent nearly equally distant from
the end of the snout and from the base of the caudal fin; length of head three to three
and a half times in its distance from the vent and about three times as great as its
distance from the first dorsal spine. Snout three to four times as long as the eye,
ending in a trifid appendage which is as long as or longer than the eye; cleft of the
mouth extending to below the nostril; no preorbital or preeopercular spines. Vertical
fins united with the rounded caudal. Dorsal fin with 32 to 30 spines and about
100 soft rays; last spine nearly one-fourth the length of the head. Anal fin with
2 spines and about 100 soft rays. Scales very small, about 20 between the origin of
the soft dorsal fin and the lateral line.
Fig. 40.
Mastacembelus victoria.
nat. size,
[oC Ns)
Dark brown above, yellowish beneath, sides with small light spots; head pale brown,
spotted or marbled with darker and with a wavy dark lateral band, passing through
the eye; a series of large, round, dark brown spots may be present along the lower
edge of the caudal region ; dorsal and anal fins with black spots; pectoral fin uniform
white or with small black spots.
This species is known only from Lake Victoria. It was described from two
specimens in Col. Delmé Radcliffe’s collection. Four specimens were obtained at
Bunjako (5-14.11.05) and one at Buganga (15.11.05) by Mr. E. Degen. I have also
examined a young specimen purchased by the British Museum from Mr. Baxter in
O42 MASTACEMBELIDZ.
Measurements (in millimetres) and numbers of dorsal spines.
1 2 3 4, 9) 6 7 |
Total length ........ a Satan acti 330 | 300 | 290 | 285 | 260 | 210 | 180 |
PG Tea CsteGeRiN. Giang i oie as ao ee 25 ye 20 20 19 Aa ae |
Promasnonttowvenb . .awics <5 ease oi uy pelt Os, | Loses toe ie hao. 2a o | 86
i o> fest-qloraal lepitie 4.4.2 (ARS 50 48 49 42 AS 37 0 30
Eenot of fend 24s ree ee Ser 2Be' | Sera san eevee C28
Width of head. @-ce405 weg be ees ote we) Me re ete
Dien gt hy 26t BiO Ui sass iar ann cate es Veco gus ely 12 10 a en 9 8 7
$3 rostral appendage: i. i... 20.5... 9) 5 4 4 + 33 24
Diameter of eye ......... ats Seer Se eae: 4 3 3 3 3 3 24
Tempter pectoral “yates. ss bee es ess 10 8 8 8 is ij 6 :
Number of dorsal spines... (5). toqare cee. ot 35 34 33 34 83 32 33 |
1,4. L. Victoria.—Delmé Radcliffe. (Types.) - . 3. Buganga.—Degen.
2,5, 6. Bunjako.—Degen. 7. L. Victoria.—Baxter. (Type.)
1894, which had been provisionally referred by Dr. Giinther * to his MM. shiranus,
which differs in having fewer dorsal spines and soft rays.
This is no doubt the supposed Stickleback found by Grant? in pools at Ukuni,
south end of Lake Victoria, and known to the natives as “‘ Gogo.”
* Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) xvii. 1896, p. 397.
+ Journ. R. Geogr. Soc. xlii. 1872, p. 310.
TETRODON. 543
PLECTOGNATHI.
TETRODONTIDZ.
Teeth coalescent, forming a beak, with a median suture. Interoperculum a long
rod, attached to the inner face of the preoperculum, sometimes connected with the
operculum. First four or five preecaudal vertebre with bifid neural spine and closed
neural arch. Supraclavicle oblique, sometimes nearly horizontal; lower three pectoral
pterygials enlarged and immovably united to the corneo-scapular cartilage; upper
pterygial small, suturally united to the scapula. No spinous dorsal fin. Pelvis
absent. Gulls three. Skin naked or with movable spines, rarely with bony plates ;
belly inflatable.
1. TETRODON.
Linneus, Syst. Nat. 1. p. 410 (1766), part. ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. viii. p. 271 (1870) ;
Boulenger, Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 502 (1901).
Skin smooth or prickly. Dorsal and anal fins short, with less than 20 rays;
vertebre 17 to 22.
Fig.
; ary
aU
= 7
Lid iq
ey
ifs Ly
x es Ne
ie eis dy =
ful Coe
DY al
TH ety ~
LIT
fy
Skeleton of Zetrodon fahaka. % nat. size.
This genus comprises a large number of species, which are mostly marine. Four
species are represented in the fresh waters of Africa, viz.:—T. fahaka, L. (Nile,
944 TETRODONTIDZ.
L. Chad, Senegal, Niger), 7. mbu, Blgr. (Congo), 7. pustulatus, Murr. (Old Calabar,
Gaboon), and 7. miurus, Blgr. (Congo).
These fishes, called ‘‘ Puffers” or “ Globe-Fishes,” are remarkable for the manner
in whicn they inflate themselves with air. The flesh of most species is poisonous.
1. TETRODON FAHAKA.
(Plate XCVIT.)
Linneus, in Hasselquist, Reise Palast. p. 441 (1762) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. viii. p. 290 (1870).
Tetrodon lineatus, Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p, 411 (1766); Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 76 (1775) ;
Giinther, Petherick’s Trav. ii. p. 267 (1869).
Tetrodon physa, Geoffroy, Descr. Egypte, Poiss. p. 19, pls. i. & ii. (1809) ; Joannis, Mag. Zool,
1835, iv. pl. 11.
Bou Jérap, Rifaud, Voy. Egypte, pl. excix. (1830).
Tetrodon strigosus, Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1834, p. 46.
Crayracion fahaka, Steindachner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 572.
Head as long as broad or a little longer than broad, its length (to the gill-opening)
three to three and one-fourth times in the total length. Snout rounded, twice as long
as the eye, which is contained six to seven times in the length of the head ; interorbital
region feebly convex, twice to twice and a half in the length of the head; no nostril,
but two nasal tentacles on each side, measuring about half the diameter of the eye.
Dorsal fin rounded, with 12 to 14 rays. Anal fin rounded, with 10 or 11 rays,
originating below the middle of the dorsal. Pectoral fin rounded-subtruncate, two-
fifths to half the length of the head. Caudal fin rounded, as long as or a little
longer than the head. Caudal peduncle half to two-thirds the length of the head,
once and one-fourth to once and a half as long as deep. Head and body with minute
spines, except on the snout, round the base of the pectoral fin, and on the caudal
region ; lateral-line system represented by very distinct furrows.
According to a coloured sketch made by Mr. Loat at the mouth of Lake No, the
upper parts are dark olive-grey, the lower parts and the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins
yellow; the caudal is dark olive, with a broad orange posterior border; black stripes
run along the sides of the body and the caudal peduncle, converging towards their
fellow on the back; there are usually three stripes below the pectoral fin and three
on each side of the caudal peduncle; in some specimens the stripes are lost on the
back, which is of a uniform blackish olive, or with roundish lighter spots; some
specimens have dark vertical bars on the sides of the head. ‘The pupil is horizontally
oval and the iris orange.
Young specimens have the head and the eye much larger in proportion than in the
TETRODON.
adults described above, and the black stripes are not so well defined, or may be repla
by roundish spots.
430 millimetres is the length of the largest specimen examined by me.
Measurements (in millimetres).
045
ced
I 2 3 | 4, | i) 6 7 8
Total length (without caudal) .......... 340 | 290 | 225 | 160 | 120 | 95 | 57 | 35
Lene otijedd:. b.. pees) 6 arate mgr 112 86 74 | 57 | 4] | 34 23 16
Width of heads. asia ao care 100.0): BBL GB a8 ey Bord eal aie
ijeue bh OF -su0ml =. ae ste eee eee 33 25 20: P19 12 10 8 5
Diameber-@h eve sc sco g ese nn ees eee, i 12 aera SL) | 9 6 6 )
Interorbital width ..........0...00000. 60° 736. | BOR oe a8 * eat 8 |) 6
Eongest-ray of-dovsal- 4 .. 2... Aor. 55 45 35 2252 20 14 a ae
ewe eee dine pes Piste Beds ee oe Pree
Lenoth of pectetiale 25 ha ae ate 53 38. | 27 | 20 | Ey 12 ) | 6
Pas eer pore ne 908 GAL 62 | dB Slr Bich Lowe dese de
| | | |
1. Gondokoro.—Loat. 4, Abu Simbil.—Loat. 6. L. Chad.—Gosling.
2. Rosetta Nile.—Loat. 5. Niger.—Allen. (Type of 7. Goz-abu-Guma.—Loat. ©
3. Khartum.— Petherick. T’. strigosus.) 8. Fashoda.—Loat.
Tetrodon fahaka inhabits the Nile from the Delta to Gondokoro. It is also kno
from the Chad Basin, the Senegal, and the Congo.
List of specimens examined :— |
10 Freshwater pool near Ghet-el-Nassara, Lake Menzaleh.—Loat, 26.5-11.6.99.
4 Nile.—Old Collection.
5 Rosetta branch of Nile, downstream side of barrage.—Loat, 28-30.7.99.
1 Nile near Cairo.—Capt. Flower, 9.8.05.
1 Ata regulator near Luxor.—Loat, 10.11.01.
L Abu Simbril, Nubia.—Loat, '14.2.00.
2 Khartum:—Petherick, 1862.
1 Rosaires, Blue Nile-—Capt. Flower, 6.05.
3 Goz-abu-Guma, White Nile.—Loat, 1.5.01.
54 Fashoda.—Loat, 19.1-31.3.01.
1 Polkom, Baro R. (Sobat).—Zaphiro, 4.04. | -
wh
546 TETRODONTID &.
4 Mouth of Lake No.—Loat, 15.2-4.3.01.
11. Gondokoro.—Loat, 7.2-11.3.02.
6 Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1905.
1 Yo R., Lake Chad.—Capt. Gosling, 1904.
1 Senegal.
1 Niger.—Allen, 1833. (Type of 7. strigosus.)
1 Niger.—Dalion, 1864.
2 Niger Delta—Dr. W. H. Crosse, 1895.
Geofiroy St. Hilaire, who observed the habits of this curious fish at the end of the
18th century, says it rises to the surface in order to inflate its body, which may be so
swollen as to resemble a balloon, and is in fact used as such a plaything by the native
children, just as those of the Congo have been observed to do with Tetrodon mbu*.
This inflation is useful to the fish as, in that condition, with prickles erected, it is less
easily seized by predaceous fishes. The air-pouch, which communicates with the
branchial chambers, and its mechanism have been described by Geoffroy, and later by
Thilo f.
Several specimens have been kept in the tanks of the Gezira Aquarium.
Capt. Flower{ describes the adult as pugnacious and intolerant of any other fish
in its tank. These specimens are fed on pieces of raw meat; a small one did well
on meal and grain only. ‘“‘The Globe-Fish have never been seen to inflate themselves
in the Aquarium ; even when lifted out of the water they make no attempt to do so.
Lhe dorsal fin is usually not only depressed but hangs over on one side of the body,
the caudal fin is nearly always kept closed like a fan, only being spread for an especial
effort in swimming, and the pectoral fins are usually in a state of rapid vibration.”
Mr. Loat kept a specimen alive in a tank of water at Abu Simbel, Nubia, for a
week, changing the water once or twice daily. “Though often out of the water, it
showed no disposition to inflate itself. Fishermen, just after they have caught it, are
sometimes able to make the fish inflate itself by rubbing the ventral surface of the
body, or by taking up a small piece of the loose flesh in that region and moving it
backwards and forwards. In life the eye protrudes to a marked extent, and I noticed
this part was very sensitive when touched, causing the eye and the surrounding skin
to contract. When out of the water, even if other parts of the body are suddenly
touched, the eye contracts—in fact the fish winks,so tospeak. A pinch from the jaws
of even a small specimen is very painful.” A specimen taken at the mouth of Lake No
had the stomach full of short pieces of stick, + to 1 inch long, together with some river
mollusks. ‘‘ When dragged out of the water and landed in a net, it immediately began
* Cf. Boulenger, Poiss. Bags. Congo, p. 502.
y Anat. Anz, xvi. 1899, p. 73.
t Rep. Zool. Gard. Cairo, vi. 1905, p. 28.
TETRODON. : SAT
to distend itself with air, and in spite of the fact that it was closely enveloped by the
net, it continued to take in air, by its expansion breaking the meshes in all directions,
its eyes protruding out of their sockets, and the small spines on the body erected, at
the same time making a creaking noise with its teeth.”
Mr. Loat has recorded the following native names :— Fahaka” (4S\3), in the
vicinity of Lake Menzaleh, Cairo, Samannud; “ faha’a” (4&3) 1s the more common
name for this species near Lake Menzaleh, and is the fellaheen way of pronouncing
“fahaka”; “@a” (ale), at Lahoun in the Fayum; “daa” (al), at Rosetta;
“umarbyar” (ass | !), at Kafr-el-Zayat; ‘‘homar-el-bahr” ( ji! se), at Assiut,
Girga, Nag Hamadeh ; “ aboo tunfouk” (2,843 y!),at Assuan; “ ha’koo’gar” (3,665) or
«ka’koo” (+S), both names used between Shellal and Wady Halfa; “ka‘koo’bay'roo ”
(gn 5), at Kosheh; “ ab’bull’boosuce ” (Lemmy Oy I), at Luxor; “ tum’bare’ra”’
es e)» at Omdurman. |
The Fahaka is often represented in the mural paintings of the ancient Egyptians *.
* Fishing-scenes of the pyramids of Giza and Sapara (cf. Lepsius, Denkmaeler, Abth. ii. pls. ix. & xlvi.).
—Tomb of Ptah Hotep (cf. Quibell, The Ramasseum, 1898, pl. xxxii.)— Tombs of Deir el Gebrawi
(cf. N. de G. Davies, Deir el Gebrawi, 1902, i. pls. iv., v., i. pls. iv., v., Xv.).
4a 2
apt.
tea dinate mate seme
ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES,
abbreviatus (Mormyrops), 50.
Abrostomus, 160.
abyssinica (Dillonia), 191.
abyssinicus (Nemachilus), 274.
Acanthopterygi, 24, 446.
Acerina, zillii, 519.
acutidens (Alestes), 131.
Fe (Brachyalestes), 131.
e (Micralestes), 131.
acutirostris (Anguilla), 402.
adansonii (Bagrus), 306.
4 (Eutropius), 306.
» (Heterotis), 84.
ye (Sudis), 84,
eegyptia (Atherina), 424.
eeyptiaca (Anguilla), 402,
eegyptiacus (Salmo), 141, 143.
ethiopicus (Protopterus), 19.
affinis (Barbus), 216.
5, (Malapterurus), 395.
afro-fischeri (Synodontis), 364.
Alausa vulgaris, 89.
albula (Mugil), 429.
Alburnus alexandrinus, 262.
* niloticus, 262,
Alestes, 110.
» acutidens, 131.
», baremose, 117.
? dentex, 113.
a1 hasselquistii, 113.
5; kotschyi, 117.
» leuciscus, 122.
» macrolepidotus, 127.
sy Tse, OE2Z,
> rueppelli, 122,
i, - Badleri, 121,
,, sethente, 113.
» wytsi, 117,
SOSOS
alexandrinus (Alburnus), 262.
alluaudi (Astatoreochromis), 505.
» (Clarias), 296.
», (Haplochromis), 505.
Alosa finta, 89.
alosa (Clupea), 89.
altipinnis (Kutropius), 306.
Anabantide, 441.
Anabas, 441.
* muriel, 444,
» petherici, 442, 444.
Andersonia, 392.
2 leptura, 392.
andersonii (Petrochromis), 535.
andres (Chromis), 519.
anema (Barbus), 257.
Anguilla, 401.
ie acutirostris, 402.
= egy ptiaca, 402.
a latirostris, 402.
3 nilotica, 402.
» vulgaris, 402.
anguilla (Mureena), 402.
anguillaris (Clarias), 280.
: (Heterobranchus),
288.
99 (Macropteronotus),
280.
9 (Silurus), 280, 288.
Anguillide, 401.
anguilloides (Marcusenius), 29.
5 (Mormyrops), 29.
+ (Mormyrus), 29.
annectens (Lepidosiren), 19.
9 (Protopterus), 19.
Aphanius, 406.
= fasciatus, 407.
i nanus, 407.
Apodes, 23, 401.
arabi (Svnodontis), 353.
argentea (Neobola), 268.
arnaudii (Lepidosiren), 19.
» . (eorypreras); 11:
ashanteensis (Mugil), 430.
Astatoreochromis, 495,
* alluaudi, 505.
Astatotilapia, 495.
= desfontainesi, 501.
Atherina, 428.
= egy ptia, 424.
boieri, 423.
a bonapartii, 426.
sy caspia, 423.
5 hepsetus, 428.
hyalosoma, 424.
hé lacustris, 423.
« mochon, 423.
Af pontica, 423.
» iqueti, 424.
risso, 423.
sarda, 423.
5 sardinella, 424.
Atherinide, 422.
Auchenaspis, 344,
= biscutatus, 344,
347,
Auchenoglanis, 344.
3 biscutatus, 344,
347.
n occidentalis, 347.
auratus (Bagrus), 333.
5 (Chrysichthys), 333, 337.
» (Mugil), 432, 435.
., (Pimelodus), 333.
1. ( CPoreus 330%
5 (Schilbe), 311.
auritus (Schilbe), 318.
bP]
on
bachigua (Mormyrus), 61.
(Siluranodon), 318.
(Silurus), 318.
Bagrus, 323.
”
Baerin
bajad (
adansonii, 306,
auratus, 333.
bayad, 324.
capito, 333.
degeni, 331.
doemac, 327.
laticeps, 340.
nigrita, 340.
schilbeoides, 306.
2, 277.
Silurus), 324, 327.
bane (Mormyrus), 32.
», (Petrocephalus), 32.
Barbus, 195.
affinis, 216.
anema, 257.
beso, 191.
bibie, 271.
binny, 203.
brevibarbis, 219.
bynni, 203.
camptacanthus, 257,
carpio, 244.
degeni, 222.
dogyetti, 255.
duchesnii, 208.
eduardianus, 231.
elongatus, 237,
eumystus, 215.
fergussonii, 230,
sorguarl, 237.
eudaricus, 214.
bumilis, 250.
intermedius, 228.
lepidotus, 203.
leptosoma, 220.
loati, 265.
lobogenys, 210.
macropristis, 241.
magdalener, 256.
marequensis, 212.
minchini, 245.
miolepis, 253.
nedgia, 210, 223.
neglectus, 251.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
Barbus nummifer, 2389.
» pagenstecheri, 250.
», paludinosus, 241.
» perince, 246.
» plagiostomus, 232,
» platystomus, 234.
pleurogramma, 242.
. portal, 243.
5 punilus, 259.
» quadrimaculatus, 186.
5 radclin, 212.
» stigmatopygus, 258.
» surkis, 226.
» trimaculatus, 240.
,», trispilopleura, 249.
» Wwerneri, 255,
» zaphiri, 235.
baremose (Alestes), 117.
» (Myletes), 117.
Barilius, 261.
- niloticus, 262.
% thebensis, 262.
Barynotus, 195.
batensoda (Brachysynodontis),
380.
Ee (Synodontis), 380.
bayad (Bagrus), 324.
» (Poreus), 324,
bebe (Hyperopisus), 70.
» (Mormyrus), 70. |
beninensis (Malapterurus), 395.
berlandieri (Mugil), 429.
beso (Barbus), 191.
,, (Capoéta), 191.
, (Systomus), 191.
. (Varicorhinus), 191.
besse (Characinus), 134.
,, (Ichthyoborus), 134.
bibie (Barilius), 271.
» (Chelethiops), 271.
» (Leuciseus), 271.
»» (Pelecus), 271.
bichir (Polypterus), 5, 9, 11.
bicolor (Haplochromis), 479.
» (Paratilapia), 479.
bidorsalis (Heterobranchus),
300.
bifasciatus (Haplochilus), 419.
bimaculatus (Hemichromis), 461.
binny (Barbus), 203.
bisarre (Leuciscus), 270.
biscutatus (Auchenaspis), 344,
347,
5 (Auchenoglanis), 344,
347.
5 (Pimelodus), 344.
bloyeti (Hemichromis), 501.
» (Paratilapia), 501.
boieri (Atherina), 423.
bonapartii (Atherina), 426.
bovei (Mormyrus), 36.
», (Petrocephalus), 36.
Brachyalestes, 110, 131.
‘ acutidens, 131.
od nurse, 122.
: rueppellii, 122,
Brachysynodontis, 350.
batensoda,
380.
brevibarbis (Barbus), 219.
99
_ brevipinnis (Distichodus), 146.
brevis (Hydrocyon), 107.
»» (Mochocus), 390.
britannicus (Mugil), 482.
Brycinus, 110.
. macrolepidotus, 127.
bynni (Barbus), 203.
5 (Cyprinus), 203.
calaritana (Lebias), 407.
b (Peecilia), 407.
calaritanus (Cyprinodon), 407.
callarias (Silurus), 577.
camptacanthus (Barbus), 257.
Campylomormyrus, 48.
capensis (Clarias), 288.
capito (Bagrus), 333.
(Chrysichthys), 334.
» (Mugil), 432.
Capoéta, 190, 195.
beso, 191.
- dillonii, 191.
carpio (Barbus), 244.
carsonii (Clarias), 294.
caschive (Mormyrus), 59, 66.
caspia (Atherina), 423.
caudovittatus (Synodontis), 361.
cavifrons (Hemichromis), 485.
(Paratilapia), 485.
», (Pelmatochromis), 485.
Centriscus niloticus, 68.
Centropomus lupus, 447.
29
99
99
Centropomus niloticus, 452.
cephalus (Mugil), 429, 432.
Chaleeus guile, 122.
Characinide, 97.
Characinus besse, 134.
Re dentex, 100.
sg nefasch, 141, 145.
ir niloticus, 113.
_charmuth (Macropteronotus),
280, 288.
Cheilobarbus, 195.
Chelethiops, 271.
3 bibie, 271.
chelo (Mugil), 435.
chiarini (Discognathus), 186.
Chiloglanis, 386.
ey niloticus, 386.
Chondrostoma, 190.
5 dembeensis, 167,
181.
_ dillonii, 191.
Chromides, 459.
Chromidotilapia, 484.
Chromis, 513.
5 andrex, 519.
e destfontaini, 501.
re flavii-josephi, 501.
5 ealieus, 531.
+ euentheri, 523.
- menzalensis, 520.
- microstomus, 531.
is mossambicus, 520.
in multicolor, 497.
Pe niloticus, 520, 528,
529, 531.
mi nuchisquamulatus, 510.
5 obliquidens, 510.
? spilurus, 523.
a tiberiadis, 531.
i tristrami, 519.
1, SO:
Chrysichthys, 333.
” auratus, 3383, 337.
” capito, 334,
cranchii, 340.
9 macrops, 334,
a nigrita, 340,
“5 rueppelli, 337.
Cichlids, 459.
cinerea (Paratilapia), 478.
cir (Leuciseus), 270.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
ceiternii (Synodontis), 358.
Citharinine, 98.
Citharinus, 152.
sf citharus, 153.
a geotfroyi, 153.
re latus, 156.
citharus (Citharinus), 153.
»» (Serrasalmus), 153.
Cladistia, 1.
Clarias, 278.
» alluaudi, 296.
» anguillaris, 280.
» . capensis, 283.
» carson, 294.
» gariepinus, 280.
» guntheri, 285.
,, hasselquistii, 280.
55. lazera, 285, 280.
». macracanthus, 288.
» microphthalmus, 285,
296.
» moor, 283.
5, mossambicus, 285.
» ngamensis, 288.
» orontis, 288.
» parvimanus, 280.
» . Tobecchi, 285,
» smith, 285.
» syriacus, 288.
,» tsanensis, 292.
» werneri, 297.
5» xenodon, 288.
clarias (Pimelodus), 353.
» (Silurus), 377.
», (Synodontis), 353, 377.
Clariine, 277.
Clarotes, 339.
7 heuglini, 340.
ie laticeps, 340.
Clupea, 89.
» alosa, 89.
» linta, 89.
» nilotica, 89.
» Sprattus, 89.
Clupeidee, 89.
Cobitinez, 160.
Cobitis, 274.
Coptodon, 513.
= zillu, 519,
Coregonus niloticus, 150.
coubie (Labeo), 170.
551
cranchii (Chrysichthys), 340.
crassilabris (Haplochromis), 482.
- (Paratilapia), 482.
Crayracion fahaka, 544, —
Cromeria, 93.
* nilotica, 94.
Cromeriide, 93.
Crossochilus quadrimaculatus,
186. !
Crossopteryeu, 1.
eryptochilus (Mugil), 435.
Ctenochromis, 495.
- nuchisquamulatus,
510.
a obliquidens, 510.
53 sauvagil, 510.
= strigigena, 497.
Ctenopoma, 441.
3 petherici, 442, 444.
curtus (Mugil), 432.
cyanogaster (Cyprinodon), 407.
Cyprinide, 159.
Cyprinine, 159.
Cyprinodon, 406.
rr calaritanus, 407.
" eyanogaster, 407.
. dispar, 407, 411.
fe doliatus, 407.
5 fasciatus, 407.
p hammonis, 407.
53 lunatus, 411.
2 richardsonii, 412.
i stoliczkanus, 411.
Cyprinodontide, 406.
cyprinoides (Gnathonemus), 50.
3 (Mormyrops), 50.
: (Mormyrus), 32, 50.
Cyprinus bynni, 203.
Bs lepidotus, 203.
5 >> milotiens, 63,176:
degeni (Bagrus), 331.
» (Barbus), 222,
», (Petrocephalus), 39.
, (Platyteniodus), 493.
dejoannis (Petrocephalus), 32.
dembeensis (Chondrostoma), 167,
181.
ie (Discognathus), 181.
- (Gymnostomus), 181,
dendera (Mormyrus), 29.
dog
dentex (Alestes), 113.
,, (Characinus), 100.
» (Hydrocyon), 100.
3. (Salo) ,L00; T4354 7.
dequesne (Mormyrus), 32.
re (Petrocephalus), 32.
desfontainesi (Astatotilapia),
501.
e (Haplochromis),
S01.
‘a (Tilapia), 501.
desfontainii (Chromis), 501.
F (Labrus), 501.
5 (Sparus), dU1.
diacantha (Perca), 447.
* (Scizna), 447.
diacanthus (Labrax), 447.
Dicentrarchus, 446.
re elongatus, 447.
< labrax, 447.
Z orientalis, 450.
= punctatus, 450.
Dillonia, 190.
35 abyssinica, 191.
3 8 .aullonmtyOt.,
dillonii (Capoéta) 191.
» (Chondrostoma), 191.
5 4 Dallonia)i 191.
Diplophysa, 274.
Dipneusti, 18.
Discognathus, 180.
bs chiarinii, 186.
» dembeensis, 181.
s hirticeps, 186.
. johnstonii, 184.
Be quadrimaculatus,
186.
5 vinciguerre, 185.
discorhynchus (Mormyrus), 45.
dispar (Cyprinodon), 407, 411.
» (Lebias), 411.
dispila (Schilbe), 311.
Distichodontine, 98..
Distichodus, 139.
: brevipinnis, 146.
ss engycephalus, 148.
m= marnol, 153.
e martini, 143.
- nefasch, 141, 143.
- niloticus, 141.
= rodolphi, 141.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
Distichodus rostratus, 143.
docmac (Bagrus), 327.
4 (Fates), 2h.
docmak (Silurus), 327.
doggetti (Barbus), 255.
doliatus (Cyprinodon), 407.
Doradine, 277.
dorsalis (Mormyrus), 70.
»» (Phagrus), 70.
dubahra (Mugil), 482.
duchesnii (Barbus), 208.
eduardianus (Barbus), 231.
ehrenbergii (Heterotis), 84.
a (Mormyrus), 32.
5 (Petrocephalus), 32.
electricus (Malopterurus), 395.
Ee (Silurus), 395.
Eleotris, 537.
- nanus, 538.
elongata (Perca), 447.
elongatus (Barbus), 237.
= (Dicentrarchus), 447.
. (Labrax), 447.
» (Luciobarbus), 237.
$3 (Mormyrops), 50.
‘sh (Mormyrus), 50.
emini (Schilbe), 315.
endlicheri (Polypterus), 9.
Engraulicypris, 261.
engycephalus (Distichodus), 148.
Enteromius, 195.
eumystus (Barbus), 215.
eupterus (Synodontis), 369.
Eutropius, 306.
- adansonu, 306.
8 altipinnis, 306.
sg niloticus, 306.
ss obtusirostris, 306.
fahaka (Crayracion), 544.
» (Tetrodon), 544.
fasciata (Schilbe), 311.
fasciatus (Aphanius), 407.
- (Cyprinodon), 407.
» (Lebias), 407.
fasciolatus (Haplochilus), 418.
fergussonii (Barbus), 230.
filamentosus (Synodontis), 371.
finta (Alosa), 89.
», (Clupea), 89.
flava (Lebias), 407.
flavii-josephi (Chromis), 501.
- (Tilapia), 501.
flavipinnis (Pelmatochromis),
488.
forskalii (Hydrocyon), 100, 104
107.
»» (Labeo), 174, 176.
frontosus (Synodontis), 358.
Fundulus, 413.
- orthonotus, 413.
ce tenlopygus, 413.
?
galilea (Tilapia), 529, 531,
galileus (Chromis), 531.
» (Sparus), 53],
gariepinus (Clarias), 285.
geoffroyi (Citharinus), 153.
7 (Heterobranchus), 300.
f (Mormyrus), 66, 68.
gigliolii (Hemichromis), 501.
gille (Leuciscus), 270.
Glyphisodon zillii, 519.
Guathonemus, 48.
cyprinoides, 50.
rm longibarbis, 55.
A macrolepidotus,
53.
465 mooru, 49.
es niger, 57.
x pictus, 48.
Gobiide, 537,
Gobio hirticeps, 186.
» quadrimaculatus, 186. —
Gonocephalus, 339.
gorguari (Barbus), 237.
», (Luciobarbus), 237.
granti (Haplochromis), 476.
» (Paratilapia), 476.
eudaricus (Barbus), 214.
guentheri (Chromis), 523,
‘5 (Mugil), 429.
-. (Synodontis), 383.
guiarti (Paratilapia), 473.
guile (Chalceus), 122.
>, (Miyletes), 122.
cuntheri (Clarias), 285.
guttatus (Hemichromis), 461.
Gymnarchine, 29.
Gymunarchus, 74.
" niloticus, 74.
Gymnostomus, 190.
f dembeensis, 181.
Haligenes, 513.
63 tristrami, 519.
hammonis (Cyprinodon), 407.
Haplochilus, 415.
bifasciatus, 419.
fasciolatus, 418.
23 loati, 417.
¥ marni, 418.
pumilus, 420.
33 schoelleri, 415.
Haplochromis, 495.
alluaudi, 505.
bicolor, 479.
erassilabris, 482.
eranti, 476.
ishmaeli, 509.
nuchisquamula-
tus, 510.
percoides, 496.
stanleyi, 507.
i strigigena, 497.
Haplomi, 24, 406.
harringtoni (Marcusenius), 44.
hasselquistii (Alestes), 113.
(Clarias), 280.
(Mormyrus), 59.
ep]
be
99
i" (Schilbe), 306.
Helicobranchus, 83.
Hemichromis, 461, 466.
bimaculatus, 461.
bloyeti, 501.
cavifrons, 485.
gigliolii, 501.
euttatus, 461.
letourneuxiil, 461.
i longirostris, 467.
a retrodens, 480.
S rolandi, 461.
a saharee, 461.
* serranus, 471.
Hemisynodontis, 350.
a membranaceus,
383.
x nigrita, 366.
Ps schall, 353.
hepsetus (Atherina), 423.
INDEX TO
desfontainesi, 501.
(Myletes), 113, 117.
herse (Mormyrus), 59.
Heterobranchus, 300.
anguillaris, 288.
bidorsalis, 300.
geotfroyi, 300.
99
as intermedius, 300.
¥ laticeps, 303.
a longifilis, 303.
= senegalensis,
300.
Heteromormyrus, 40.
Heterotis, 83.
rs adansonii, 84.
bs ehrenbergii, 84.
“ niloticus, 84.
heuglinii (Clarotes), 340.
hirticeps (Discognathus), 126.
» (Gobio), 186.
Hoplotilapia, 466.
horie (Labeo), 167.
humeratus (Synodontis), 368.
humilis (Barbus), 250.
hyalosoma (Atherina), 424.
Hydrargyra, 413.
Hydrocinus, 98.
Hydrocyon, 98.
is brevis, 107.
6 dentex, 100.
forskaliu, 100, 104,
107.
r lineatus, 104.
‘ vittatus, 104.
Hydrecyonine, 97.
Hyperopisus, 70.
= bebe, 70.
a occidentalis, 70.
Hypophthalmus niloticus, 306.
Ichthyoborine, 97.
Ichthyoborus, 134.
9 besse, 134.
- microlepis, 134.
intermedius (Barbus), 228.
r (Heterobranchus),
300.
‘s (Schilbe), 311.
ishmaeli (Haplochromis), 509.
isidori (Marcusenius), 42.
» (Mormyrus), 42.
», (Petrocephalus), 42.
» (Schilbe), 315.
SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
593
joannisii (Mormyrus), 32.
johnstonii (Discognathus), 184.
kannume (Mormyrus), 61.
5 (Serophicephalus), 61.
keatingii (Petrocephalus), 38.
kotschyi (Alestes), 117.
Labeo, 160.
» coubie, 170.
» forskali, 174, 176.
5. OMe eG se
,, niloticus, 163, 167, 170.
yas ahelti, enw
» varicorhinus, 191.
» vietorianus, 174.
» Vulgaris, 163.
Labeobarbus, 195.
i nedgia, 223.
labiatus (Mormyrops), 50.
» (Mormyrus), 50.
Labrax, 446.
» diacanthus, 447.
» elongatus, 447.
» limnei, 447.
» lupus, 447.
» orientalis, 449.
. punctatus, 449.
» schoenleinii, 449.
» Vulgaris, 447.
labrax (Dicentrarchus), 447.
,, (Morone), 447.
», (Perea), 447.
», (Roccus), 447.
», (Seiena), 447.
Labrus desfontainii, 501.
» niloticus, 523.
lacrimosa (Tilapia), 514.
lacustris (Atherina), 423.
lateralis (Tilapia), 531.
Lates, 452.
», niloticus, 452.
laticeps (Bagrus), 340.
», (Clarotes), 340.
» (Heterobranchus), 303.
3 (Pimelodus), 340.
latirostris (Anguilla), 402.
latus (Citharinus), 156.
» (Perea), 452.
lazera (Clarias), 285, 288.
Lebias, 406.
AR
ood
Lebias calaritana, 407.
» dispar, 411.
. fasciatus, 407.
» flava, 407.
',, lineo-punctata, 407.
5 sarda, 407.
Leiosynodontis, 350.
is maculosus, 353.
Lepidosiren annectens, 19.
AP arnaudu, 19.
Lepidosirenide, 18.
lepidotus (Barbus), 203.
re (Cyprinus), 203.
Leptocephalus, 401.
2 brevirostris, 401.
leptosoma (Barbus), 220.
leptura (Andersonia), 392.
letourneuxii (Hemichromis), 461.
Leuciscus bibie, 271.
i bisarre, 270.
cir, 270.
gille, 270.
niloticus, 262.
= thebensis, 262.
leuciscus (Alestes), 122.
lineatus (Hydrocyon), 104.
» (Mugil), 429.
» (Tetrodon), 544.
lineo-punctata (Lebias), 407.
linnei (Labrax), 447.
loati (Barilius), 265.
», (Haplochilus), 417.
lobogenys (Barbus), 210.
longibarbis (Gnathenemus), 55.
a (Mormyrus), 55.
longifilis (Heterobranchus), 303.
longipinnis (Mormyrus), 66.
‘5 (Scrophicephalus), 66.
longirostris (Hemichromis), 467.
(Mormyrus), 66,
= (Paratilapia), 467.
Luciobarbus, 195.
elongatus, 237.
FA gorguari, 237.
lunatus (Cyprinodon), 411.
lupus (Centropomus), 447.
(Labrax), 447.
>)
39
99
macracanthus (Clarias), 288.
macrocentra (Tilapia), 531.
macrodon (Synodontis), 377.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
macrolepidotus (Alestes), 127.
s (Brycinus), 127.
i" (Gnathonemus),
53.
5 (Mormyrops), 53.
3 (Mormyrus), 53.
macropristis (Barbus), 241.
macrops (Chrysichthys), 334.
Macropteronotus, 278.
anguillaris,
280.
- charmuth, 280,
288.
maculosus (Leiosynodontis), 353.
= (Synodontis), 353.
maderensis (Mugil), 435.
magdalenze (Barbus), 256.
Malacopteryeu, 23, 26.
Malopterurine, 277.
Malopterurus, 394.
ne affinis, 395.
- beninensis, 395.
a electricus, 395.
is ogoensis, 395,
Marcusenius, 40.
‘i anguilloides, 29.
s harringtoni, 44.
a isidori, 42.
= nigricans, 40.
4 petherici, 45.
marequensis (Barbus), 212.
marni (Haplochilus), 418.
marnoi (Distichodus), 153.
martini (Distichodus), 148.
5 (Tilapia), 514,
Mastacembelide, 540.
Mastacembelus, 540.
= victoria, 541.
melanogaster (Synodontis), 380.
membranaceus (Hemisynodontis),
383.
- (Pimelodus), 388.
2 (Synodontis), 380,
383.
menzalensis (Chromis), 520.
a (Tilapia), 520.
mexicanus (Mugil), 430.
Micralestes, 131. :
se acutidens, 131.
microdon (Pelmatochromis), 490.
microlepis (Ichthyoborus), 134.
|
Micromugil, 406.
microphthalmus (Clarias), 285,
296.
microstomus (Chromis), 531,
minchini (Barbus), 245.
miolepis (Barbus), 253.
Mochocus, 388.
re brevis, 390.
-, niloticus, 388.
mochon (Atherina), 423.
mongallensis (Slatinia), 392.
moor (Clarias), 283.
», (Gnathonemus), 49.
Mormyride, 26,
Mormyrine, 28.
Mormyrodes, 59.
Mormyrops, 29.
e abbreviatus, 50.
ss anguilloides, 29.
= cyprinoides, 50.
= elongatus, 50.
53 labiatus, 50.
yi macrolepidotus, 53.
Mormyrus, 59,
» anguilloides, 29.
Ss bachiqua, 61.
., bane, 32.
a bebe, 70.
A bovei, 36.
a caschive, 59, 66.
sx cyprinoides, 32, 50.
5 dendera, 29.
3 dequesne, 32.
a discorhynchus, 45.
x dorsalis, 70.
. ehrenbergii, 32.
Fe elongatus, 50.
ee geoffroyi, 66, 68.
4 hasselquistii, 59.
herse, 59.
5 isidori, 42.
ra joannisii, 32.
:; kannume, 61.
‘ labiatus, 50.
“ys longibarbis, 55.
3 longipinnis, 66.
5 longirostris, 66.
» macrolepidotus, 53.
ne niger, 57.
ae niloticus, 68,
~! oxyrhynchus, 61.
Mormyrus petersii, 55.
Ps salahie, 50.
Morone, 446.
», labrax, 447.
3 + punctata, 449.
mossambicus (Chromis), 520.
rm (Clarias), 289.
Mugil, 427.
albula, 429.
ashanteensis, 430.
auratus, 432, 435.
berlandieri, 429. -
britannicus, 432.
capito, 432.
cephalus, 429, 432.
chelo, 435.
eryptochilus, 435.
curtus, 432.
dubahra, 482.
guentheri, 429.
lineatus, 429.
maderensis, 435.
mexicanus, 430.
octoradiatus, 432, 435.
,», petherici, 432.
plumieri, 429.
ramada, 432.
rammelsbergil, 429.
» Ssaliens, 435.
,, tang, 429.
Mugilide, 427.
multicolor (Chromis), 497.
s (Paratilapia), 497.
Murena anguilla, 402.
muriei (Anabas), 444.
Myletes, 110.
re baremose, 117.
ee guile, 122.
3 nurse, 122.
mystus (Schilbe), 311.
» (Silurus), 311.
Nanneethiops, 137.
ag uniteniatus, 137.
Nannocharax, 150.
2, niloticus, 150.
nanus (Aphanius), 407.
», (Hleotris), 538.
nedgia (Barbus), 210, 223.
»» (Labeobarbus), 223.
hasselquistii, 113, 117.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
nefasch (Characinus), 141, 143.
», (Distichodus), 141, 143.
neglectus (Barbus), 251.
Nemachilus, 274.
ms abyssinicus, 274.
Neobola, 268.
5 argentea, 268.
ngamensis (Clarias), 288.
niger (Gnathonemus), 57.
»» (Mormyrus), 57.
nigri (Notopterus), 80.
», (Xenomystus), 30.
nigricans (Marcusenius), 40.
a (Tilapia), 518.
nigrita (Bagrus), 340.
» (Chrysichthys), 340.
» (Hemisynodontis), 366.
», (Octonematichthys), 340.
» (Synodontis), 366.
nili (Notopterus), 80.
nilotica (Anguilla), 402.
» (Chromis), 523.
» (Clupea), 89.
» (Cromeria), 94.
» (Perca), 452.
» (Vilapia), 523.
niloticus (Alburnus), 262.
(Barilius), 262.
i (Centriscas), 68.
» (Centropomus), 452.
: (Characinus), 113.
5 (Chiloglanis), 386.
45>) = (Chrents) ee 020; 523,
529, 531.
» (Coregonus), 150.
a (Cyprinus), 163, 176.
= (Distichodus), 141.
ss (Eutropius), 306.
» (Gymnarchus), 74.
is (Heterotis), 84.
EA (Hypophthalmus), 306.
es (Labeo), 163, 167,
. 170.
4s (Labrus), 523,
e (Lates), 452.
sy (Leuciscus), 262.
ss (Mochocus), 388.
a (Mormyrus), 68.
as (Nannocharax), 150.
» (Salmo), 117, 141, 143.
» (Sudis), 34,
900
Nothobranchius, 413.
s teeniopygus,
413.
Notopteride, 79.
Notopterus nigri, 80.
5 nili, 80.
nubila (Tilapia), 517.
nuchisquamulata (Tilapia), 510.
nuchisquamulatus (Chromis),
510.
3 (Ctenochro-
mis), 510.
‘5 (Haplochro-
mis), O10,
nummifer (Barbus), 239.
nurse (Alestes), 122.
» (Brachyalestes), 122.
», (Myletes), 122.
obesus (Pelmatochromis), 491.
obliquidens (Chromis), 510,
2 (Ctenochromis), 510.
- (Tilapia), 510.
obscurus (Ophiocephalus), 438.
obtusirostris (Hutropius), 306.
occidentalis (Auchenoglanis),
347.
55 (Hyperopisus), 70.
= (Pimelodus), 347, |
Octonematichthys, 339.
ee nigrita, 340.
octoradiatus (Mugil), 432, 435.
ogoensis (Malapterurus), 395.
Ophiocephalide, 437.
Ophiocephalus, 437.
- obscurus, 438.
Opisthomi, 24, 540.
Opsaridium, 261.
Opsarius thebensis, 262.
Oreochromis, 513.
orientalis (Dicentrarchus), 450.
a (Labrax), 440.
orontis (Clarias), 288.
orthonotus (Fundulus), 413.
Ostariophysi, 23, 97.
Osteoglossidx, 83.
Oxyglanis, 344.
= sacchii, 347.
Oxymormyrus, 29.
oxyrhynchus (Mormyrus), 61.
ABZ
096
pagenstecheri (Barbus), 255.
paludinosus (Barbus), 241.
Paracara, 466.
Paratilapia, 466.
5 bicolor, 479.
i bloyeti, 501.
a cavifrons, 485.
a cinerea, 478.
‘; crassilabris, 482.
S granti, 476.
% eularti, 473.
zm longirostris, 467.
m multicolor, 497.
5 prognatha, 469.
ss retrodens, 480.
rs serranus, 469, 471.
FP victoriana, 474.
5 wingatil, 501.
parvimanus (Clarias), 280.
Pelecus bibie, 271.
pellucida (Physailia), 321.
Pelmatochromis, 484.
2 cavifrons, 485.
ve flavipinnis, 488.
a microdon, 490.
2 obesus, 491.
speki, 486.
Paletrophiy: 261.
Perca diacantha, 447.
», elongata, 447.
» labrax, 447.
, latus, 452.
», nilotica, 452.
»» punctata, 447, 449.
5 punctulata, 449.
sinuosa, 447.
HEL eeenene: 24, 422.
percoides (Haplochromis), 496.
perince (Barbus), 246.
petersii (Mormyrus), 55.
pene. (Anabas), 442, 444.
» (Ctenopoma), 442, 444.
», (Marcusenius), 45.
re (Mugil), 432.
Petrocephalus, 32.
x bane, 32.
oa bovei, 36.
nf degeni, 39.
= dequesne, 32.
3 dejoannis, 32.
o ehrenbergii, 32.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
Petrocephalus isidori, 42.
5 keatingil, 38.
5 pictus, 48.
Petrochromis, 535.
re andersonil, 535.
Phagrus, 70.
.; dorsalis, 70.
physa (Tetrodon), 544.
Physailia, 321.
A pellucida, 321.
pictus (Gnathonemus), 48.
» (Petrocephalus), 48.
Pimelodus auratus, 333.
- biscutatus, 344.
= clarias, 353.
a laticeps, 340.
a membranaceus, 383.
be occidentalis, 347.
synodontis, 377.
Heaisstonies (Barbus), ae
platystomus (Barbus), 23
Platyteniodus, 493.
Z degeni, 493.
Plectognathi, 24, 543.
pleurogramma (Barbus), 242.
pleuromelas (Tilapia), 531.
plumieri (Mugil), 429.
Poecilia calaritana, 407.
| Polypteridee, 1
Polypterus, 2.
93 arnaudu, 11.
. bichir, 5, 9, 11.
* endlicheri, 9.
‘ senegalensis, 9, 11.
4 senegalus, 11.
pontica (Atherina), 423.
Porcus auratus, 333.
» bayad, 324.
» docmac, 327.
portali (Barbus), 2438.
prognatha (Paratilapia), 469.
Protomelus, 19.
Protopterus, 19.
5 eethiopicus, 19.
35 annectens, 19.
Pseudobarbus, 195.
Pseudosynodontis, 350.
Pterocapoéta, 190.
pumilus (Barbus), 259.
», (Haplochilus), 420.
serratus, 372.
punctata (Morone), 449.
§ (Perca), 447, 449,
_ (Scizena), 449.
punctatus (Dicentrarchus), 450.
rs (Labrax), 449.
punctulata (Perea), 449.
Puntius, 195.
quadrimaculatus (Barbus), 186.
= (Crossochilus),
186.
és (Discognathus),
186.
“8 (Gobio), 186.
radcliffii (Barbus), 212.
Raja torpedo, 395,
ramada (Mugil), 432.
rammelsbergii (Mugil), 429.
retrodens (Hemichromis), 480.
» (Paratilapia), 480.
Rhinocryptis, 19.
Rhinoglanis, 388.
bs typus, 388.
- vannutellii, 388.
richardsonil (Cyprinodon), 412.
riqueti (Atherina), 424.
risso (Atherina), 423.
robeechii (Clarias), 285.
Roccus, 446.
» labrax, 447.
rodolphi (Distichodus), 141.
Rohitichthys, 160.
rolandi (Hemichromis), 461.
rostratus (Distichodus), 143.
rueppelli (Alestes), 122.
5 (Brachyalestes), 122.
» (Chrysichthys), 337.
sacchii (Oxyglanis), 347.
sadleri (Alestes), 121.
sahare (Hemichromis), 461.
salahie (Mormyrus), 50.
saliens (Mugil), 435.
Salmo egyptiacus, 141, 143.
, dentex, 100, 113, 117.
,, niloticus, 117, 141, 143.
Sandelia, 441.
sarda (Atherina), 423.
» (Lebias), 407.
sardinella (Atherina), 424.
Sarotherodon, 513.
i zillii, 519.
sauvagii (Ctenochromis), 510.
5 ~ > CEilapia), 510;
schall (Hemisynodontis), 353.
5 (Silurus), 353.
55 (Synodontis), 353.
Schilbe, 311.
» auratus, 311.
53 | P aUribRs OLS,
» dispila, 311.
Re emini, 315.
» tasciata, 311.
» hasselquistii, 306.
5 intermedius, 311.
» isidori, 315.
» mystus, 311.
5 senegallus, 311.
5» uranoscopus, 315.
schilbeoides (Bagrus), 306.
schoelleri (Haplochilus), 415.
schoenleini (Labrax), 449.
Scizna diacantha, 447.
» Jabrax, 447.
» punctata, 449.
Scrophicephalus, 59.
x kannume, 61.
3 longipinnis, 66.
selti (Labeo), 170.
senegalensis (Heterobranchus),
300.
m4 (Polypterus), 9, 11.
senegallus (Schilbe), 311.
senegalus (Polypterus), 11.
Serranide, 446.
serranus (Hemichromis), 471.
» (Paratilapia), 469, 471.
Serrasalmus citharus, 153.
serratus (Pseudosynodontis),
372. |
‘s (Synodontis), 372.
sethente (Alestes), 113.
Siluranodon, 318.
a auritus, 318,
Siluride, 276.
Silurine, 277.
Silurus anguillaris, 280, 288.
» auritus, 318.
» bajad, 324, 327.
» callarias, 377,
» clarias, 377.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
Silurus docmak, 327.
» €lectricus, 395.
» mystus, 311.
» schall, 353.
sinuosa (Perca), 447.
Slatinia, 392.
PY mongallensis, 392.
smithii (Clarias), 285.
» (Synodontis), 353.
Solenomormyrus, 59.
sorex (Synodontis), 375.
sparsidens (Tilapia), 501.
Sparus desfontainii, 501.
» galileus, 531.
speki (Pelmatochromis), 486.
spilurus (Chromis), 523.
Spirobranchus, 441.
sprattus (Clupea), 89.
stanleyi (Haplochromis), 507.
stigmatopygus (Barbus), 258.
stoliczkanus (Cyprinodon), 411.
strigigena (Ctenochromis), 497.
* (Haplochromis), 497.
strigosus (Tetrodon), 544.
Sudis, 83.
» adansonil, 84.
», niloticus, 84.
surkis (Barbus), 226,
Synedontis, 350.
= afro-fischeri, 364.
- arabi, 353.
a: batensoda, 380.
Ri caudovittatus, 361.
5 citerni, 358.
- clarias, 353, 371.
ir eupterus, 369.
Pk filamentosus, 371.
<a frontosus, 358.
A guentheri, 383.
» humeratus, 368.
fs macrodon, 377.
be maculosus, 353.
s melanogaster, 380.
of membranaceus, 380,
383.
e nigrita, 366.
3 . 7 esehtall, 353:
35 serratus, 372.
a smithii, 353.
= sorex, 370.
ts victoriz, 363.
d07
synodontis (Pimelodus), 377.
syriacus (Clarias), 288.
Systomus, 195.
- beso, 191.
teniopygus (Fundulus), 413.
‘s (Nothobranchius),
413.
tang (Mugil), 429.
tanganicanus (Auchenoglanis),
347. :
Teleostei, 23.
Tetrodon, 543.
A fahaka, 544.
is lineatus, 544.
Fs physa, 544.
a strigosus, 544.
Tetrodontide, 543.
thebensis (Barilius), 262.
5 (Leuciscus), 262.
ra (Opsarius), 262.
tiberiadis (Chromis), 531.
Tilapia, 495, 513.
», desfontainesi, 501.
», flavii-josephi, 501.
5. Salileea. 529. 051.
50 alacrimosa, old.
» lateralis, 531.
», macrocentra, 531.
» martini, 514.
», menzalensis, 520.
» migricans, 518.
» milotica, 523.
5p Ubi ven fe
» mnuchisquamulata, 510.
» Obliquidens, 510.
., pleuromelas, 531.
» sauvagii, 510.
;, sparsidens, 501.
, tristrami, 520.
5 variabilis, 529.
be will 51-9.
torpedo (Raja), 395.
trimaculatus (Barbus), 240.
trispilopleura (Barbus), 249.
tristrami (Chromis), 519.
» (Haligenes), 519,
» (Tilapia), 520.
tsanensis (Clarias), 292.
Tylognathus, 160,
typus (Rhinoglanis), 388.
598
—unitzniatus (Nannethiops), 137.
uranoscopus (Schilbe), 315.
vannutellii (Rhinoglanis), 388.
variabilis (Tilapia), 529.
Varicorhinus, 190.
_ beso, 191.
varicorhinus (Labeo), 191.
victorie (Mastacembelus), 541.
» (Synodontis), 368.
victoriana (Paratilapia), 474.
yictorianus (Labeo), 174.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
vinciguerre (Discognathus), 185.
vittatus (Hydrocyon), 104.
vulgaris (Alausa), 89.
» (Anguilla), 402.
i (Labeo), 163.
», (Labrax), 447.
werneri (Barbus), 253.
wo ne wlarins 207,
wingati (Paratilapia), 501.
wytsi (Alestes), 117.
xenodon (Clarias), 288,
Xenomystus, 80.
~ nigri, 80.
zaphiri (Barbus), 235.
zillii (Acerina), 519.
» (Chromis), 520.
» (Coptodon), 519.
,, (Glyphisodon), 519.
», (Sarotherodon), 519.
», (Tilapia), 519.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO VERNACULAR NAMES,
Abbullboosuce, 547.
Aboo raad, 400.
» raash, 400.
» friyala, 336.
Abou Crata, 333.
Aboué fué fé, 52.
Absee-see, 377.
Ab’ sheer, 8.
Abu bisheer, 8.
» boos, 60.
ss. Hara, 1220;
» Mesaeka, 343.
», seebaber, 377.
Shoe. 3.
» soomah, 398.
,, tunfouk, 547.
Affacul, 239.
Aigle, 457.
Ala, 248.
Aman uslungegar, 405.
Annuma, 65.
Anooma, 30, 44.
Ardat, 103.
Arminya, 39.
Armut, 283, 303.
Arrubrub, 314.
Ashoowa, 65.
Ashwa, 65.
Ashweet, 528.
Assa Baria, 239.
Baa, 547.
Bachiqua, 65.
Bagara Bachika, 324,
Baggar, 327,
Baggare, 327.
Bamesakar, 336.
Bana, 39.
SOVes
Baramoza, 126.
Barbel, 197.
Barbour, 336.
Barmesaker, 343.
Barmsaker, 343.
Batrich, 410.
Bayad, 327.
Bayada, 327.
Bazrameeta, 248.
Bed doiyar, 30.
Behbeyt, 73.
Berrader, 400.
Beso, 192.
Bessariya, 166.
Bessé, 136.
Betcoyya, 156.
Bibie, 264, 273.
Bibiea, 273.
Bibiz, 120.
Binné, 207.
Birbisa, 248.
Bissera, 166.
Bolte, 528, 534.
» abayad, 528.
» hannene, 523,
» Mmalowi, 534.
» Ssultane, 528.
Bolti, 528.
Bona, 385.
Booez, 65.
Boské, 65.
Bou Jérap, 544.
Bouri, 482,
Buana, 35,
Bugegar, 327.
Buggara, 327.
Bulti, 528.
Buma, 35,
Bynni, 208.
Cat-Fish, 276.
Cece, 457.
Chama, 432.
Chilbé cherissié, 311.
» Zérégé, 306,
Coubie, 173.
Cutti, 120.
Dashkoak, 327,
Dashowgar, 327.
Dakshowgar, 327.
Debib-el-hut, 22.
Debs el Hadziar, 179.
» merdzian, 173.
Docma, 330.
Docmac, 330.
Doug Majeq, 344.
Dubbis, 166.
Dungo, 207.
Duk Majek, 347.
Dups, 166.
Dups-el-hager, 1.79.
Dups-el-nusrane, 179,
Ebader, 327.
Eel, 402.
El metze, 432
Elver, 404.
Essin hannugar, 65.
» karg, 405.
,, tegar, 327.
Fabra, 248.
Fahaa, 547.
Fahada, 248.
Fahaka, 547.
560
Farfour, 330.
Farkh ishr, 457.
Fatelah bayada, 327.
Fekke, 440.
Fekkie, 440.
Foura, 166.
Frateha, 528.
Galmier, 73.
Gammer, 156.
Gammera, 156.
Gammor el lelleh, 156.
Gamona, 30.
Garafche, 87.
Garan, 436.
Gargour, 358.
‘ abu soomah, 358.
as abu smah, 358.
a beladie, 358.
ES fashagar, 358.
sa gelarby, 382.
e gowagie, 375.
ss trakey, 362.
= turque, 358.
Gariya, 179.
Garmout laséra, 288.
Garmut, 283.
Gela, 248.
Gelarby, 382.
Gischer, 87.
Globe-fish, 544.
Gogo, 542.
Gorgar, 358.
» shamie, 336.
,» zumar, 308.
Gorguari, 239.
Gourgar Chami, 382.
Gourgar-kebir, 368.
Gowagie, 375.
Grey Mullet, 428.
Gubberr, 457.
Gum-hurr, 30.
Gummuck, 283.
Guncharr, 528.
Hademer, 207.
Hager, 35.
Hakoogar, 547.
Hala, 303.
Hannash, 405.
Harara, 126,
INDEX TO VERNACULAR NAMES.
Harfoota, 120.
Harmel, 126.
Hasham nahasee, 65.
Hashmel banat, 65.
Helala, 207.
Herasha, 148.
Hie, 405.
» el bahr, 405.
Hinnima, 166.
Homar, 457.
Homar-el-bahr, 457, 547.
Homar-el-hut, 348.
Horie, 169.
Horrear, 179.
Hut, 283, 482.
Ishr, 457.
Jerfar, 75.
Kabberose, 330.
Kakoo, 547.
Kakoobayroo, 547.
Kan boot, 432.
Kannume, 65.
Karafchi, 347.
Karmut, 283, 303.
Kashive, 68.
Kashoué, 70, 73.
Kass, 1038.
Kelbumbo, 103.
Kellud, 120.
» iilchie, 126.
Kelp-el-Bahr, 103.
Kelp moluher, 103.
Kharneadar, 103.
Kiddé goré, 179.
Kilnoki, 347.
Kishuve, 68.
Kisinjo, 213.
Kowara, 117.
Kubbar, 457.
Kullu goré, 179.
Kurr, 283, 308.
Labiss, 166.
» eraie, 166.
» hasharbie, 166.
Labissa rhoubea, 179.
Latis, 457.
Kelp-el-moyar, 103, 120.
Lebt, 482.
Leffash, 148, 148, 457.
Lento, 225.
Lepidotus, 208.
Lhut, 22.
Libs-el-hagerea, 179.
Liento, 225.
Lips, 166.
Lissan, 143, 148.
» el buggarr, 143.
Loach, 274.
Loch, 65.
» gashoowa, 65.
Maghsell, 103.
Makaky, 166.
- Mergan, 267.
Migwar, 166.
Misht, 528.
Mislogar, 207, 330.
Mizdeh, 68.
Mizz, 65.
Moluher, 1038, 120.
Mons, 30.
Moon-fish, 156.
Mormyr, 27.
Musht, 528.
Nedgia, 225.
Nefash, 148.
Nelko, 103.
Nile Perch, 458.
Nimpz, 30.
Noag, 87.
Nurse, 126.
Okkar, 434.
Oom booez, 65.
Oommoo booez, 65.
Oomshefafer, 52.
Oomshiffa, 52.
Ouéd denné, 319.
Oxyrhynchus, 68.
Perch, 458.
Perince, 248.
Priest, 422.
Puffer, 544.
Raad, 400.
Raada, 398.
Raash, 400.
Rachis, 117.
Rahad, 395.
Rashala, 103, 120.
= moluher, 120.
Rhat-el-moose, 35.
Rhoaser, 35.
Rhoaster-el-hager, 35.
Rhoubea, 179.
Rhy, 117, 120.
River Dog, 103.
Roschal, 1038,
Ruenta, 65.
Saffsaffa, 130.
Sagboga, 92.
Samak-el-malch, 151.
Samak-el-malak, 65.
Samak taban, 405.
Samoose, 457.
Sarboura, 92.
Sardeena, 92, 120, 126.
Sava, 70.
Schal Abou Réal, 336.
Gemel, 382.
» Karafche, 347.
5» senen, 379.
Schall, 353.
Scheilan, 379.
Schilbe, 310.
Sea-Bass, 448.
Sedemaslow, 336.
See-see, 377.
Semutundu, 382.
33
Shabar, 528.
» abbied, 528.
» achdah, 528.
Shad, 92.
Shakarkh, 327.
Shal, 358.
» aboo riyala, 336.
» beladie, 358.
» shamie, 336.
Shall baten soda, 382.
Shan, 108.
Shanko, 108.
Sharrouk, 306.
Shefafer, 52.
Shibyer, 315.
Shiffa, 457.
Shiffag, 457.
Shilber, 806, 314.
5, nootie, 306.
Shilbya areanna, 320.
=. seefarea, 314.
Shirr, 528.
Shuakar, 207.
Silbyer, 314, 315.
Sillyer, 306.
Silver-side, 422.
Sow, 35.
Soweear, 73.
Stickleback, 542.
Surkis, 226.
Surrter, 303.
Syrr, 166.
arabie, 310, 314.
INDEX TO VERNACULAR NAMES.
Taban, 402, 405.
Teennarkar, 148.
Tobar, 434.
Trakey, 362.
Trembleur, 395.
Tumbarera, 547,
Tunga, 400.
T waite, 92.
Ullum tour, 348.
Umarbyar, 547.
Um dangis, 310.
» kettif, 317.
Ummayar, 73.
Umslaim, 327,
Widanah, 320.
Widnah, 320.
Wier, 75.
Wuscabash, 239.
Wuscafash, 239.
Xaxoung-roumi, 336,
Zaf loot, 283.
Zahlooma, 52.
Zalool, 283.
Zamar, 336, 347.
Zarmarr, 348.
Zazoo, 358.
Zerraygar, 306.
Zerrea, 310.
Zumar, 358. .
o6L
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PEATE i
Polypterus bichir, Geoffr., p. 5. Mansurah, Lower Nile. With upper and lower
views of head and anterior part of body. nat. size.
PLATE AL
Polypterus endlicheri, Heck., p. 9. Goz-abu-Gumah, White Nile. With upper and
lower views of head and anterior part of body, and skeleton. 4 nat. size.
PRAT 16.
Polypterus senegalus, Cuv., p. 11. Khartum. With upper and lower views of head
and anterior part of body, and skeleton. Nat. size.
PLATE LV.
Protopterus ethiopicus, Heck., p. 19. Lake Albert Edward. 4 nat. size. Adult and
skeleton.
PLATE V.
Fig. 1. Mormyrops anguilloides, L., p. 29. Sanhur. Nat. size.
Fig. 2. Hyperopisus bebe, Lacep., p. 70. Near Cairo. @ nat. size.
PLATE VI.
Fig. 1. Petrocephalus bane, Lacep., p. 30. Near Cairo. Nat. size.
Fig. 2. Gnathonemus cyprinotdes, L., p. 50. Lahun, Fayum. Nat. size.
403
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
8) DD it
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE VII.
. Marcusenius isidori, C. & V., p. 42. Rosetta Nile. Nat. size.
. Gnathonemus pictus, Marcus., p. 48. Fashoda. Nat. size.
. Gnathonemus cyprinoides, L., p, 50. Wasta. Skeleton. Nat. size.
PLATE VILLI.
. Petrocephalus bovet, C. & V., p. 36. Kafr-el-Zayat. Nat. size.
. Petrocephalus keatingii, Blgr., p. 38. Fashoda. (Type.) Nat. size.
. Marcusenius petherict, Blgr., p. 45. Khartum. (Type.) Nat. size.
Pio EX,
. Petrocephalus degeni, Blgr., p. 39. Katonga R., Lake Victoria. (Type.)
Nat. size.
. Marcusenius nigricans, Blgr., p. 40. Katonga R., Lake Victoria. (Type.)
Nat. size.
. Marcusenius harringtoni, Blgr., p. 44. Polkom, Baro River. (Type.) 2 nat.
sIZe,
PLATE X.
. Gnathonemus macrolepidotus, Peters, p. 53. Kavirondo Bay, Lake Victoria.
(From an example in the Paris Museum.) Nat. size.
. Gnathonemus longibarbis, Hilg., p.55. Buganga, Lake Victoria. Nat. size.
. Gnathonemus niger, Gthr., p. 57. Fashoda. Nat. size.
PLATE XI.
. Mormyrus hasselquistti, C. & V., p. 59. Fashoda. Nat. size.
. Mormyrus niloticus, Bl. Schn., p. 68. Between Beni Souef and Biba. 4} nat.
size.
PLATE XII.
. Mormyrus kannume, Forsk., p. 61. Cairo. 4% nat. size.
. Mormyrus caschive, L., p. 66. Khartum. # nat. size,
Or
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 56
PLATE XIII.
Gymnarchus niloticus, Cuv., p. 74. Kawa, White Nile. Adult and skeleton.
3 fet. site:
PLATE XIV.
Heterotis niloticus, Khrenb., p. 84. Gubt-el-Megahid, White Nile. With upper and
Fig. 1.
by
pte
a!
He 9
lower views of head. + nat. size.
PLATE XY.
Xenomystus nigri, Gthr., p. 80. Bahr-el-Gebel. Nat. size. (One of the
types of X. nilt.) :
. Clupea finta, Cuv., p. 89. Lower Nile. Nat. size.
. Cromeria nilotica, Blgr., p. 94. Fashoda. (Type.) xX 24.
PLATE XVI.
. Hydrocyon forskalii, Cuy., p. 100. Fergunt, Nubia. Nat. size.
. Hydrocyon brevis, Gthr., p. 107. Khartum. (Type.) Nat. size.
PLATE XVII.
. Hydrocyon forskalit, Cuv., p. 100. Abu Hor. # nat. size.
. Hydrocyon lineatus, Blkr., p. 104. Mouth of Lake No. # nat. size.
From coloured sketches by Mr. Loat.
PLATE XVIII.
. Alestes dentex, L., p. 113. Nile near Cairo. Nat. size.
. Alestes baremose, Joann., p. 117. Rosetta Nile. Nat. size.
PLATE XIX.
. Alestes nurse, Riipp., p. 122. ¢. Rosaires, Blue Nile. Nat. size.
. Alestes nurse, Riipp. ¢. Gondokoro. Nat. size.
. Micralestes acutidens, Peters, p.131. ¢. Lake No. Nat. size.
. Micralestes acutidens, Peters. 2. Lake No. Nat. size.
066 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PEATE AX
Alestes macrolepidotus, C. & V., p. 127. 4 nat. size. Upper specimen from
Gondokoro, lower from Rosaires.
PLATE XX,
Fig. 1. Lchthyoborus besse, Joann., p. 134. Fashoda. Nat. size. a. Upper view of
head, nat. size; 6. Open mouth, xX 2.
Fig. 2. Ichthyoborus besse, Joann. Mouth of Lake No. Nat. size.
Fig. 3, Nannethiops uniteniatus, Gthr., p. 137. Gaboon. (‘Type.) Nat. size.
Fig. 4. Nannocharasx niloticus, Joann., p. 150. Kaka, White Nile. xX 2.
PLATE XXII.
Distichodus niloticus, L., p. 141. Adult, Beni Souef, with upper view of head,
4 nat. size, and young, Fashoda, nat. size.
PLATE XXIII.
Fie. 1. Distichodus niloticus, L., p. 141. Skeleton, Nile. Nat. size. 1a. Upper
view of skull.
Fig. 2. Distichodus rostratus, Gthr., p. 143. Lower Nile. (Lype.) 3 nat. size.
2a. Upper view of head.
PLA PX XE.
Fig. 1. Distichodus brevipinnis, Gthr., p. 146. Fashoda. Nat. size. 1a. Upper
view of head.
Fig. 2. Distichodus engycephalus, Gthr., p. 148. Khartum. (Type.) Nat. size.
2a. Upper view of head. xX 1. |
PLATE XXYV.
Citharinus citharus, Geoffr., p. 153. Biba. 4 nat. ane
PLATE XXVI.
Citharinus latus, M. & T., p, 156. Gondokoro. ? nat. size.
=I
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. a6
PLATE XXVII.
Fig. 1. Labeo niloticus, Forsk., p. 163. Samannud. Nat. size. la. Upper view ot
head, nat. size; 1 6. Open mouth, x 2.
Fig. 2. Labeo forskalii, Riipp., p. 176. Korosko, Nubia. Nat. size. 2a. Upper
view of head, nat. size; 26. Open mouth, x 14.
PLATE XXVIII.
Labeo horie, Heck., p. 167. brim, Nubia. Nat. size. With upper view of head,
nat. size, and open mouth, x 2.
PLATE XXIX.,
Labeo coubie, Ripp., p. 170. Abu Hor, Nubia. 2 nat. size. With upper view of
head, # nat. size, and open mouth, nat. size.
| PLATE XXX.
Labeo coubie, Riipp., p. 170. Kosheh, Nubia. Skeleton. & nat. size. a, Upper
6
view of skull, 6. Back view of skull and pectoral arch, c. Lower jaw,
@ nat. size; d, Lower pharyngeal bones and teeth, x 3.
PLATE XXXI.
. Labeo horie, Heck., p. 167. Near Cairo. Young. Nat. size.
. Labeo coubie, Riipp., p. 170. Assuan. Young. Nat. size.
. Labeo forskalti, Riipp., p. 176. Luxor. Young. Nat. size.
. Liscognathus vinciguerre, Blgr., p. 185. Kermeh, Nubia. (Type) 29-28.
a. Upper view of head, 6. Lower view of head, x 5.
Fig. 5, Discognathus quadrimaculatus, Riipp., p. 186. Zegi, Lake Tsana. Nat. size.
a. Upper view of head, 6. Lower view of head, x 2.
cs
pa!
m0 0
Hm © DD et
PLATE XXXII.
Fig. 1. Labeo victorianus, Blgr., p. 174. Lake Victoria. (Type.) 2% nat. size.
a. Upper view of head, nat. size; 6. Open mouth, x ie
Fig. 2. Discognathus johnstonii, Blgr., p. 184. Lake ‘Victoria. (Type.) Nat. size.
a. Upper view of head, x 2; 6. Open mouth, x 2.
qn
cop)
os)
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE XXXIII.
Varicorhinus beso, Riipp., p. 191. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. +; nat. size. With lower
view of head, side view of skull, and mandible, nat: size.
PLATE XXXIV.
Barbus bynni, Forsk., p. 203. Korosko, Nubia. 2 nat. size.
Fig.
Fig.
| Fig
CO 1. © DP
PLATE XXXYV.
. Barbus duchesnii, Blgr., p. 208. Mogre R., Abyssinia. (Type.) 2 nat. size.
. Barbus brevibarbis, Blgr., p. 219. Zegi, Lake Tsana, (Type.) 2 nat. size.
PLATE XXXVI.
. Barbus lobogenys, Blgr., p. 210. Bunjako, Lake Victoria. (Type.) Nat. size.
. Barbus gudaricus, Blgr., p. 214. Metti R., Abyssinia. (Type.) Nat. size.
PLATE XXXVII.
. Barbus radeliffii, Blgr., p. 212. Lake Victoria. (Type.) # nat. size,
. Barbus nedgia, Riipp., p. 228. Lake Tsana. Skull. Nat. size.
. Barbus bynni, Forsk., p. 203. Lower pharyngeal bones and teeth. Nat. size.
. Barbus surkis, Ripp., p. 226. Lower pharyngeal bones and teeth. Nat. size.
. Barbus leptosoma, Blgr., p. 220. Lower pharyngeal bones and teeth. Nat. size.
PLATE XXXVIII.
. Barbus eumystus, Blgr., p. 215. Juju R., Abyssinia. (Type.) Nat. size.
. Barbus plagiostomus, Blgr., p. 232. Kassam R., Abyssinia. (Type.) Nat.
size. a. Lower view of mouth.
PLATE XXXIX.
. Barbus affinis, Riipp., p. 216. Zegi, Lake Tsana. 3 nat. size.
. Barbus intermedius, Ripp., p. 228. Zegi, Lake Tsana. 3 nat. size.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 569
PLATE XL.
Fig. 1. Barbus leptosoma, Blgr., p. 220. Zegi, Lake Tsana. (Type.) Nat. size.
Fig. 2. Barbus platystomus, Blgr., p. 234. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. (Type.) % nat. size.
PLATE XII.
Fig. 1. Barbus degeni, Blgr., p. 222. Zegi, Lake Tsana. (Type.) 4% nat. size.
a. Upper view of head.
9
Fig. 2. Barbus nedgia, Riipp., p. 223. Zegi, Lake Tsana. 3 nat. size. a. Upper
view of head.
PLATE XLII.
5
Barbus surkis, Riipp., p. 226. Zegi, Lake Tsana. 3 nat. size. With upper and
lower views of head.
PLATE XLII.
Fig. 1. Barbus fergussonii, Blgr., p. 230. Lake Albert Edward. (Type.) ¢ nat. size.
Fig. 2. Barbus eduardianus, Blgr., p. 231. Lake Albert Edward. (Type.) 3 nat. size.
PLATE XLIV.
Barbus gorguari, Ripp., p. 237. Two specimens from Zegi, Lake ‘sana: upper
nat. size, lower 3 nat. size.
PLATE XLY.
Fig. 1. Barbus zaphiri, Blgr., p. 235. Didessa River, Abyssinia. (T'ype.)
Fig. 2. Barbus portali, Bigr., p. 243. Near Fort Portal, Ruwenzori. (Type.)
3. Barbus carpio, Pfeff., p. 244. Unduassuma Bay, Lake Albert. (Type.)
4. Barbus minchint, Blgr., p. 245. Entebbe, Lake Victoria. (Type.)
Fig
Fig.
All nat. size.
4D
570 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE XLVI. |
. Barbus nummifer, Blgr., p. 239. Lake Victoria. (Type.)
. Barbus macropristis, Blgr., p. 241. Lake Victoria. (Type.)
. Barbus doggetti, Blgr., p. 255. Lake Victoria. (Type.)
. Barbus magdalene, Blgr., p. 256. Bunjako, Lake Victoria. (Type.)
. Neobola argentea, Pellegr., p. 268. Bunjako, Lake Victoria.
ex
° panto
dad
SO aces
se
Se aso
OW ee. 9
All nat. size. —
PLATE XEV A.
. Barbus pleurogramma, Blgr., p. 242. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. Evpes 26:
. Barbus perince, Rupp., p. 246. Rosetta Nile. Nat. size.
. Barbus trispilopleura, Blgr., p. 249. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. (Type.) x 14.
. Barbus humilis, Blgr., p. 250. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. (Type.) x 14.
. Barbus neglectus, Blgr., p. 251. Damietta Nile. (Type.) x 14.
. Barbus werneri, Blgr., p. 203. Lake No. (Type.) x 2.
. Barbus anema, Bler., p. 207. Gondokoro. (Type.) x 24.
ke
pe
2 I
LD
es
aie,
So Gr os os
rej
ped
08
~%
PLATE XLVITI.
. Discognathus dembeensis, Ripp., p. 181. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. Nat. size.
. Barbus pumilus, Blgr., p. 259. Mouth of Lake No. (Type.) x 34.
. Barilius niloticus, Joann., p. 262. Samannud. Nat. size.
. Barilius loati, Blgr., p. 265. Ibrim, Nubia. (Type.) Nat. size.
. Chelethiops bibie, Joann., p. 271. Assuan. xX 2.
. Nemachilus abyssinicus, Blgr., p. 274. Bahardar, Lake Tsana. (Type.) x 24.
ke
oe
oo
|
—
Ce ome!
oo Or Be OD
From coloured sketches by Mr. Loat and Mr. Degen.
PLATE XLIX.
Clarias anguillaris, L., p. 280. Cairo. % nat. size. a. Upper view of head,
; nat. size; 6. Dentition, nat. size; c. Branchial arches and superbranchial
apparatus, nat. size.
Pee es.
Clarias moortt, Blgr., p. 283. Lake Albert Edward. (Type.) 2nat. size. a. Upper
view of head, 2 nat. size; 8. Dentition, nat. size; ¢. First branchial arch,
nat. size.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. oe
“PLATE il,
1. Clarias robecchii, Vincig., p. 285. Unfras R., Lake Tsana. Nat. S1Ze.
a. Upper view of head, nat. size; 6. Dentition, nat. size.
Fig. 2. Clarias tsanensis, Blgr., p. 293. Zegi, Lake Tsana. (Type.) {$ nat. size.
a. Upper view of head, $ nat. size; 6. Dentition, nat. size.
PLATE LIL.
Clarias lazera, C. & V., p. 288.—1. Adult, Damietta, 3 nat. size; a. Upper view of
head, & nat. size; 6. Dentition, nat. size—2. Dentition of another
specimen from the same locality.x—s. Young, Ghet-el-Nassara, Lake
Menzaleh, nat. size.
PLATE LIII.
Fig. 1. Clarias carsonii, Blgr., p. 294. Lake Victoria. a. Upper view of head.
Fig. 2. Clarias alluaudi, Blgr., p. 296. Bunjako, Lake Victoria. (Type.) a@. Upper
: view of head.
Fig. 8. Clarias wernert, Blgr., p. 297. Bunjako, Lake Victoria. (Type.) @. Upper
view of head.
All nat. size.
PLATE LIV.
Fig. 1. Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Geofir., p. 300. | Goz Shebesha, White Nile.
& nat. size.
Fig. 2. Heterobranchus longifilis, C. & V., p. 303. Luxor. Nat. size.
PLATE LV.
Fig. 1. Eutropius niloticus, Riipp., p. 306. Debud, Nubia. 2 nat. size. —
Fig. 2. Schilbe uranoscopus, Ripp., p. 8315. Mouth of Lake No. 2 nat. size.
PLATE LVI.
Fig. 1. Schilbe mystus, L., p. 311. Barrage near Cairo. £ nat. size.
. Siluranodon auritus, Geoffr., p. 8318. Barrage near Cairo. Nat. size.
4p2
i?
OG
bo
O72 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE LYVII.
Bagrus bayad, ¥orsk., p. 324. Barrage near Cairo. 2 nat. size. With upper view of
head, $ nat. size, and preemaxillary and vomerine teeth, nat. size.
PLATE LVIII.
Bagrus docmac, Forsk., p. 327. Samannud. With upper view of head and
premaxillary and vomerine teeth. #4 nat. size.
PLATE LIX.
Bagrus degeni, Blgr., p.331. Entebbe, Lake Victoria. (Type.) With upper view
of head and preemaxillary and vomerine teeth. 4+ nat. size.
PLATE LX.
Fig. 1. Chrysichthys auratus, Geoffr., p.333. BeniSouef. Nat. size. 1a. Dentition.
Fig. 2. Chrysichthys rueppelli, Blgr., p. 337. Nile. (Type.) Nat. size.
PLATE LXI.
Fig. 1. Clarotes laticeps, Riipp., p. 340. Adult. Jebelain, White Nile. 2 nat. size.
a. Upper view of head, $ nat. size; 6. Dentition, = nat. size.
Fig. 2. Young. Goz-abu-Gumah. Nat. size.
PLATE LXII.
Auchenoglanis biscutatus, I. Geoffr., p. 344. Gondokoro. Nat. size. With upper
view of head and open mouth.
PLATE LXIII.
Auchenoglanis occidentalis, C. & V., p. 347. Mouth of Lake No. # nat. size. With
upper view of head, $ nat. size, and open mouth, nat. size.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. d13
PLATE LXIV.
Fig. 1. Synodontis schall, Bl. Schn., p. 353. Adult. Rosetta Nile. With upper view
of head (a) and open mouth (6).
Figs. 2& 3. Young. Samannud.
All nat. size.
PLATE LXV.
Synodontis frontosus, Vaill., p. 358. Mouth of Lake No. #2 nat. size. With upper
view of head, # nat. size, and open mouth, nat. size.
PLATE LXYI.
Synodontis caudovitiatus, Blgr., p. 361. Mouth of Lake No. (Type.) With upper
view of head and open mouth. Nat. size.
PLATE LXVII.
Fig. 1. Synodontis victorie, Blgr., p. 363. Buganga, Lake Victoria. (Type.)
a. Open mouth. Nat. size.
Fig. 2. Synodontis afro-fischeri, Hilg., p. 364. Bunjako, Lake Victoria. a. Open
mouth,< >: Nat. size, =.
PLATE LXVIII.
Synodontis eupterus, Blgr., p. 369. Goz-abu-Gumah, White Nile. (Type.) With |
upper view of head and open mouth. Nat. size.
PLATE LXIX.
Synodontis filamentosus, Blgr., p. 371. Gebelen, White Nile. (Type.) With upper
view of head, nat. size, and open mouth. x 14.
PLATE LXX.
Synodontis serratus, Riipp., p. 372. Ibrim, Nubia. # nat. size. With upper view of
head, $ nat. size, and open mouth, nat. size.
574 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE LXXI.
Fig. 1. Synodontis nigrita, C. & V., p. 366. . Tonga, White Nile. Nat. size. a. Open
mouth, x 14. |
Fig. 2. Synodontis serratus, Ripp., p.372. Abu Simbel, Nubia. Skeleton, 3 nat. size.
PLATE LXXII.
Synodontis sorex, Gthr., p. 375. Mouth of Lake No. # nat. size. With upper view
of head, # nat. size, and open mouth, nat. size.
PLATE LXXIII.
Synodontis clarias, L., p. 377. Mouth of Lake No. With upper view of head and
open mouth. Nat. size. — |
PLATE LXXIV.
Synodontis batensoda, Riipp., p. 380. Mouth of Lake No. With upper view of head,
nat. size, and open mouth, x 14.
PLATE LXXYV.
Synodontis membranaceus, Geoffr., p. 383. Khartum. $ nat. size. With upper
view of head, # nat. size, and open mouth, nat. size.
PLATE LXXVI.
Fig. 1. Chiloglanis niloticus, Blgr., p. 386. Arko. (Type.) Nat. size. a. Upper
view of head and anterior part of body, x 23; 6. Open mouth, X 2$.
Fig. 2. Mochocus niloticus, Joann., p. 388. Luxor. Nat. size. a. Upper view of
head and anterior part of body, x 2. | :
Fig. 3. Mochocus brevis, Blgr., p. 390. Fashoda. (Type.) Xx 14. @. Upper view of
head and anterior part of body, x 3. 3
Fig. 4. Andersonia leptura, Blgr., p. 392. Kosheh. (Type.) Nat.size. a. Side view
of head and anterior part of body, x 3; 6. Upper view of head and anterior
oO
part of body, x 8; ¢. Lower view of head and anterior part of body, x 3.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. O79
PLATE LXXVII.
Malopterurus electricus, Gm., p. 895. Upper figure, Lahun, Fayum, nat. size (body
foreshortened) ; lower figure, Barrage N. of Cairo, 3 nat. size.
PLATE LXXVIII.
Malopterurus electricus, Gm., p. 895. Skeleton, Nile, + nat. size, and two young from
Fig.
famed
Co ON & Ot FR OF DS Ee
bo
Luxor, nat. size.
PLATE LXXIX.
. Cyprinodon fasciatus, Val., p. 407. 3. Ghet-el-Nassara. Nat. size.
Do. ¢2. Ghet-el-Nassara. Nat. size.
. Cyprinodon dispar, Riipp., p. 411. 3. Abyssinia. (Type.) Nat. size.
Do. ¢?. Muscat. Nat. size.
. Lundulus teniopygus, Hilg., p. 413. ¢. Lake Victoria. “(Type.) Nat. size-
. Haplochilus schoelleri, Blgr., p. 415. Alexandria. (Type.) x 13.
. Haplochilus loati, Blgr., p. 417. Lake No. (Type.) x 23.
. Haplochilus marni, Stdr., p. 418. Mongalla. x 13.
. Haplochilus bifasciatus, Stdr., p. 419. Mongalla. x 12.
. Haplochilus pumilus, Blgr., p. 420. Entebbe. (Type.) x 13.
PLATE “UXX xX.
. Mugil cephalus, L., p. 429. Samannud. Nat. size.
. Mugil capito, L., p. 432. LL. Menzaleh. Nat. size.
PLATE LXXXI.
- Mugil capito, L., p. 432. Lower Nile. (Type of I. petherici, Gthr.)
bo
Nat. size.
- Mugil auratus, Risso, p. 435. L. Menzaleh. Nat. size.
PLATE LXXXII.
Ophiocephalus obscurus, Gthr., p. 438. Gondokoro. N at. size. With cpa view of
head and skeleton and upper view of skull.
O76 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE LXXXITT.
- Fig. 1. Anabas petherici, Gthr., p. 442. a. Gondokoro (Type.); 6. Upper view of
head; ¢. Younger specimen, Fashoda; e. Skeleton, Fashoda.
Fig. 2. Anabas muriei, Blgr., p. 444. Gharb-el-Aish. (Type.)
All nat. size.
PLATE LXXXIV.
Lates niloticus, L., p. 452. Young specimens: upper figure from L. Menzaleh,
nat. size; lower figure from Khartum, $ nat. size.
PLATE LXXXY.,
Lates niloticus, L., p. 452. a-c. Very young, Lake No, nat. size; d. Skeleton of
adult, $ nat. size; e. Upper view of cranium, + nat. size.
PLATE LXXXVI.
Fig. 1. Hemichromis bimaculatus, Gill, p. 461. Kaka, White Nile.
Fig. 2. Paratilapia longirostris, Hilg., p. 467. Bunjako, L. Victoria.
Fig. 3. Paratilapia prognatha, Pellegr., p.469. WKavirondo Bay, L. Victoria. (Type.)
Fig. 4. Paratilapia cinerea, Blgr., p. 478. Buganga, L. Victoria. (‘Type.)
All nat. size.
PLATE LXXXVII.
Fig. 1. Paratilapia serranus, Pfeff., p. 471. Lake Victoria. Nat. size.
Fig. 2. Paratilapia guiarti, Pellegr., p. 473. Entebbe, L. Victoria. 2 nat. size.
Fig. 3. Paratilapia victoriana, Pellegr., p. 474. Bunjako, L. Victoria. 4 nat. size.
Fig. 4. Paratilapia grant, Blgr., p. 476. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type.) Nat. size.
Fig. 5. Paratilapia crassilabris, Blgr., p. 482. Entebbe, L. Victoria. (Type.)
Nat. size.
PLATE LXXXVIII.
Fig. 1. Pelmatochromis cavifrons, Hilg., p. 485. Buganga, L. Victoria. Nat. size.
Fig. 2. Pelmatochromis spekii, Blgr., p. 486. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type.) Nat.
size. 2a, Gill-cavity. —
Fig:
IO Oo B®
Ot eB OO
iw)
CO wo =
DS
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. ow ere
PLATE LXXXIX.,
. Paratilapia bicolor, Blgr., p. 479. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type.) + nat. size.
. Paratilapia retrodens, Hilg., p. 480. Bunjako, L. Victoria. 3 nat. size.
. Pelmatochromis fiavipinnis, Blgr., p. 488. Buganga, L. Victoria. (Type.)
Nat. size.
_ Pelmatochromis microdon, Bigr., p. 490. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (‘Type.)
$ nat. size.
. Pelmatochromis obesus, Blgr., p. 491. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type.)
+ Nat. size.
PLATE XC.
. Haplochromis percoides, Bler., p. 496. Entebbe, L. Victoria. (Type.)
. Haplochromis strigigena, Pieff., p. 497. Alexandria.
. Haplochromis desfontainest, Lacep., p.501. Gondokoro. (Type of Paratilapia
wingati, Bler.)
. Haplochromis alluaudi, Pellegr., p. 505. Kavirondo Bay, L. Victoria. (‘Type.)
. Laplochromis stanley, Blgr., p. 507. Buganga, L. Victoria. (Type.)
. Haplochromis ishmaeli, Blgr., p. 509. Entebbe, L. Victoria. (‘Iype.)
. Haplochromis nuchisquamulatus, Hilg., p. 510. Entebbe, L. Victoria.
All nat. size.
PLATE XCI.
. Platyteniodus degeni, Blgr., p. 493. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type.)
. Lilapia martini, Blgr., p. 514. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type.)
. Lilapia lacrimosa, Blgr., p. 515. Bunjako, L. Victoria. (Type. )
. Tilapia nubila, Blgr., p. 517. Entebbe, L. Victoria. (Type.)
. Lilapia nigricans, Blgr., p. 518. Entebbe, L. Victoria. (Type.)
All nat. size.
PLATE XCII.
Tilapia zillit, Gery., p. 519. Adult, with open mouth, Lake Menzaleh, and young,
Giza. Nat. size.
PLATE XCIII.
Tilapia nilotica, L., p. 523. Cairo. 2 nat. size.
578 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE XCIY.
Tilapia nilotica, L., p.523. Skeleton. Nile. gnat.size. a. Upper view of cranium ;
i. Upper pharyngeal bones; c,d. Lower pharyngeal bones, upper and lower
views.
PLATE XCV.
Tilapia galilea, Art., p. 531. WKhartum. Nat. size.
PLATE XCVI.
Petrochromis andersoni?, Blgr., p. 535. Lake Albert. (Type.) Nat. size.
PLATE XCVII. 3
Tetrodon fahaka, ap p. 544. Khartum. Nat. size. With front view of head.
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