''Pareutropius debauwi'' is a species that belong to the Order

Actinopterygii Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fish or actinopterygians, is a class (biology), class of Osteichthyes, bony fish that comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species. They are so called because of their lightly built ...

, ray-finned fishes, and can be placed in the

Schilbeidae Schilbeidae is a family of catfishes native to Africa and Asia. These fish tend to swim in open water. Schilbid catfishes usually have dorsal fins with a short base and a spine, but '' Parailia'' lack a dorsal fin altogether. Most species also p ...

family, Schilbid catfishes. This family includes 9 genera and 46 species. The common name for ''Pareutropius debauwi'' is the African glass

catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order (biology), order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Catfish are common name, named for their prominent barbel (anatomy), barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, though not ...

Etymology & Taxonomic History

The name of the

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

is derived from the Greek words ''par, eu,'' and ''tropis,'' which respectively translate to "beside or near", "well", and "keel". This is in reference to the families compressed body form. The

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

name is derived from the Latin work ''vittatus,'' which loosely translates to "covered with stripes". This refers to the color and pattern found on this species.

Physical Description

''Pareutropius debauwi'' are silver in color. A single dorsal spine is present with up to six total dorsal soft rays. Seven to eight branchiostegal rays are present on one side of the head. A single pair of mandibular

barbels In fish anatomy and turtle anatomy, a barbel is a slender, whisker like sensory organ near the mouth (sometimes called whiskers or tendrils). Fish that have barbels include the catfish, the carp, the goatfish, the hagfish, the sturgeon, the z ...

are present. A single mid-lateral band is present across the body. No dark spots on caudal fin lobes but band continues onto

caudal fin Fins are moving appendages protruding from the body of fish that interact with water to generate thrust and help the fish swim. Apart from the tail or caudal fin, fish fins have no direct connection with the back bone and are supported only ...

. The base of the

anal fin Fins are moving appendages protruding from the body of fish that interact with water to generate thrust and help the fish swim. Apart from the tail or caudal fin, fish fins have no direct connection with the back bone and are supported o ...

is marked by a small, dark line.

Distribution & Habitat

This species is native to Africa and is spread throughout

Angola Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-Central Africa, central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Portuguese-speaking world, Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) country in both total area and List of c ...

, the

Republic of the Congo The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo), is a country located on the western coast of Central ...

Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

, and

Gabon Gabon ( ; ), officially the Gabonese Republic (), is a country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, on the equator, bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and ...

. This species can be found in shallow water systems. ''Pareutropius debauwi'' are a freshwater species, specifically found in tropical waters. ''Pareutropius debauwi'' are a

riverine A river is a natural stream of fresh water that flows on land or inside caves towards another body of water at a lower elevation, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. A river may run dry before reaching the end of its course if it run ...

species that can be found in large and small moderate water systems.

Biology & Behavior

''Pareutropius debauwi'' are

omnivores An omnivore () is an animal that regularly consumes significant quantities of both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and animal matter, omnivores digest carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, and metabolize t ...

, with some being

carnivorous A carnivore , or meat-eater (Latin, ''caro'', genitive ''carnis'', meaning meat or "flesh" and ''vorare'' meaning "to devour"), is an animal or plant whose nutrition and energy requirements are met by consumption of animal tissues (mainly mu ...

for insects. Mating behavior includes distinct pairing. Reproduction cycles coincide with flood periods. Females tend to be larger than males and have a rounded, short genital papilla. ''Pareutropius debauwi'' are an

oviparous Oviparous animals are animals that reproduce by depositing fertilized zygotes outside the body (i.e., by laying or spawning) in metabolically independent incubation organs known as eggs, which nurture the embryo into moving offsprings kno ...

species. Eggs are unguarded and have no parental care. Are strongly diurnal and are a

schooling A school is the educational institution (and, in the case of in-person learning, the building) designed to provide learning environments for the teaching of students, usually under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of fo ...

species. Members within this species can reach up to 15 cm in length. The expected lifespan for this species is around eight years.

Aquarium Life

''Pareutropius debauwi'' should be kept in a large group, with up to at least ten other ''debauwi''. This species is extremely active and requires a spacious environment with dimmed lighting. The water should resemble a moderate current with temperatures between 23°C to 26°C. The species are most comfortable in neutral waters consisting of a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. The diet should consist of a mixture of flakes, granulate and frozen foods.

Daphnia ''Daphnia'' is a genus of small planktonic crustaceans, in length. ''Daphnia'' are members of the Order (biology), order Anomopoda, and are one of the several small aquatic crustaceans commonly called water fleas because their Saltation (gait), ...

mosquito larvae Mosquitoes, the Culicidae, are a family of small flies consisting of 3,600 species. The word ''mosquito'' (formed by '' mosca'' and diminutive ''-ito'') is Spanish and Portuguese for ''little fly''. Mosquitoes have a slender segmented body, ...

brine shrimp ''Artemia'' is a genus of aquatic crustaceans also known as brine shrimp or ''Sea-Monkeys, sea monkeys''. It is the only genus in the Family (biology), family Artemiidae. The first historical record of the existence of ''Artemia'' dates back to t ...

are ideal foods. Breeding ''Pareutropius debauwi'' in a home aquarium is not recommended but can be done under specific conditions.

Conservation & Threats

''Pareutropius debauwi'' is widespread and faces no serious threats.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3758128 Pareutropius Fish described in 1900