Citharinus citharus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire)

Oladipo, Segun Olayinka, Everett, Amaya, Atofarati, Olabisi Tawakalit, Smith, Kennedy K., Nneji, Ifeanyi C., Adelakun, Kehinde Moruf & Nneji, Lotanna Micah, 2025, An updated ichthyofaunal checklist for the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon with notes on nomenclatural changes and the conservation status of species, Zootaxa 5646 (1), pp. 38-62 : 54

Citharinus citharus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire) ;

Moon fish ( Figure 2L )

Remarks: Previously, two subspecies of C. citharus were recognized: Citharinus citharus citharus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire) and Citharinus citharus intermedius (Worthington) . However, the specimens collected in our study could not be confidently assigned to a subspecies. Further molecular identification is recommended to resolve this. Pending that, we refer to them at the species level. Other synonyms for this species include Citharinus citharus intermedius (Worthington) , Citharinus geoffroyi (Cuvier) , Distichodus marnoi (Steindachner) , and Serrasalmus citharus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire) . Citharinus citharus was a common catch in the Epe and Ikorodu sampling locations, and this study reports its occurrence in the lagoon. C. citharus is a silvery, deep-bodied species with an eye protected by a small adipose eyelid. The dorsal fin contains 17–21 branched rays, while the anal fin comprises 26–30 branched rays.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Representative pictures (A–L) of some newly collected fish species from the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon (A) Fontitrygon margaritella (Compagno & Roberts); (B) Strongylura senegalensis (Valenciennes); (C) Caranx fischeri (Smith- Vaniz & Carpenter); (D) Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Linnaeus); (E) Selene dorsalis (Gill); (F) Trachinotus falcatus (Linnaeus); (G) Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus); (H) Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier); (I) Marcusenius brucii (Boulenger); (J) Coptodon zillii (Gervais); (K) Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus); and (L) Citharinus citharus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire). Photo credit and Identification: Dr. S.O. Oladipo.