Belonoglanis tenuis is a species of freshwater catfish in the family Amphiliidae, order Siluriformes. The species was described by the Belgian-British zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1915. It belongs to the genus Belonoglanis, which comprises small, slender-bodied catfishes native to the river systems of Central Africa.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii (ray‑finned fishes)
- Order: Siluriformes (catfishes)
- Family: Amphiliidae (loach catfishes)
- Genus: Belonoglanis
- Species: Belonoglanis tenuis
Distribution and Habitat
Belonoglanis tenuis is known from freshwater habitats within the Congo River basin and adjacent river systems in Central Africa. Specific locality records are limited, and most occurrences are reported from museum specimens collected in the early 20th century.
Morphology
The species is characterized by an elongated, slender body shape, a feature reflected in the specific epithet “tenuis” (Latin for “thin” or “slender”). Detailed morphological measurements, coloration patterns, and meristic counts have not been widely published; available descriptions note a generally small size typical of amphiliid catfishes, with reduced adipose fins and a dorsal surface bearing a series of faint sensory barbels.
Ecology
Ecological information for B. tenuis is sparse. Like other amphiliids, it is presumed to be a benthic species inhabiting fast‑flowing streams and exhibiting nocturnal habits, feeding on small invertebrates. However, specific studies on its diet, reproductive biology, or population status are lacking.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Belonoglanis tenuis. Due to the paucity of recent field data, the conservation status of the species remains uncertain.
References
- Boulenger, G. A. (1915). Descriptions of new African fishes. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1915: 258‑262.
- Ferraris, C. J. Jr. (2007). Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Siluriformes, Ostariophysi). Zootaxa, 1418: 1‑628.
Note: Detailed biological and ecological data for Belonoglanis tenuis are limited; further research is required to fully elucidate its characteristics and conservation needs.
