Porochilus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Plotosidae |
Genus: | Porochilus Weber, 1913 |
Type species | |
Porochilus obbesi Weber, 1913 |
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Binomial name | |
Porochilus meraukensis |
Porochilus is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Plotosidae. It includes two species, P. meraukensis and P. obbesi.[1] These two species are found in Southern Papua New Guinea in the area that was formerly known as Irian Jaya.[1] P. meraukensis grows to 24 centimetres (9 in) TL, while P. obbesi grows to 12 cm (5 in) TL.[2][3] P. meraukensis is found in quiet backwaters or in well vegetated, swampy lagoons and lakes.[2] P. obbesi lives in slow-flowing streams, backwaters, swamps and lily lagoons, usually among aquatic weeds such as eelgrass; it is also found in lakes. P. obbesi feeds on insects, prawns and mollusks.[3]