Auchenoglanis

Auchenoglanis is a genus of relatively large, up to SL, claroteid catfishes native to various freshwater habitats in Africa.
Auchenoglanis is a primitive member of the subfamily Auchenoglanidinae and represents a stem group.
Species of this genus occur predominantly in the Nilo-Sudan region and Western Africa, but also in the Congo River, Lakes Albert (Africa)|Albert] and Tanganyika.
Auchenoglanis species mainly feed on insect aquatic larvae and eventually on small mollusks, alevin, and swimming insects. These feeding habits should also enable them to stand a relatively wide range of ecological conditions.

Living species

Following a taxonomic review in 1991, only two living species were recognized in this genus. This is followed by FishBase and Catalog of Fishes. However, review in 2010 suggested that there are six additional species, which would bring the total to eight. Genetic studies indicate that additional, currently unrecognized species exist.

Auchenoglanis acuticeps Pappenheim, 1914
Auchenoglanis biscutatus*
Auchenoglanis occidentalis*
Auchenoglanis sacchii
Auchenoglanis senegali Retzer, 2010
Auchenoglanis tanganicanus Boulenger, 1906
Auchenoglanis tchadiensis Pellegrin, 1909
Auchenoglanis wittei Giltay, 1930

Fossil species

Auchenoglanis is rare in the fossil record compared to other African catfishes. Auchenoglanis includes an extinct species, Auchenoglanis soye from Western Chad. A few other fossils are also attributed to Auchenoglanis with no specific species described.