UG/CSBD F644, 65.63 mm SL, Guyana, Mazaruni-Potaro, Oung Creek (Chenapou Creek - Potaro River drainage), about a one hour hike from mouth of Chenapou Creek, mouth of Chenapou Creek at 04°58í26" N, 59°34í41"W, col. by L.M. Page, J.W. Armbruster, M. Hardman, J.H. Knouft, and W.S. Prince,1 November 1998.

AUM 28163 (2, 1 cleared and stained, 48.3 ? 48.5 mm SL), INHS 49583 (2, 26.2 ? 70.0 mm SL), FMNH 108246 (1, 47.6 mm SL), same data as holotype.

Corymbophanes kaiei is distinguished from C. andersoni by the presence of vermiculations on the abdomen in adults, the presence of bands on the caudal fin, anal fin I5 (vs. I4), a wide (vs. narrow) caudal peduncle, and three to four plates below the adpressed pectoral-fin spine (vs. five).  See diagnosis of C. andersoni for morphometric differences.  Corymbophanes kaiei can not be diagnosed by any derived osteological characteristics.

See genus description for more details.  Color pattern dark brown to black with large cream-colored spots on dorsal and lateral body surfaces; spots combining to form bars and vermiculations in larger specimens, light areas concentrated on anterior and posterior edges of lateral plates.  Head with small, irregularly-sized spots.  Ventral surface dark brown with distinct, cream-colored vermiculations.  Fin rays and spines with rectangular markings that form distinct bands.  Fin membranes usually entirely dark, but darkest basally and along fin rays and spines. Juveniles almost entirely dark brown, faint spots visible on head, faint bands present on caudal fin, midlateral surface slightly darkened to form a thick, faint stripe, abdomen mostly white with some dark markings laterally.  Teeth 44-68 per jaw ramus (average = 57.4 ± 5.9; N = 20 rami, 5 individuals).

 Compared to C. andersoni: head short, eyes and nares set far apart, orbits large, snout long, mouth narrow and short (Table 1).  Body widest at insertion of pectoral fin, tapering to caudal fin, but not to the extent as in Corymbophanes andersoni.  Caudal peduncle comparatively wide, roughly oval in cross section, flattened ventrally and peaked dorsally.  Pectoral fin not overlapping pelvic fin when adpressed; three to four plates below adpressed pectoral-fin spine.  Anal fin I5.

Specimens of Corymbophanes kaiei were collected amongst cobble and submerged logs in sun-lit, swift riffles of a small, clear, forested creek.

Known only from the type locality, Oung Creek, a tributary of Chenapou Creek, a southern tributary of the Potaro River above Kaiteur Falls in Guyana.  On the maps of Eigenmann (1912), Oung Creek is referred to as Wong River.  Red star = C. andersoni, Blue circle = Corymbophaneskaiei, 1 = the village of Chenapou, 2 = the former location of Holmia, 3 = Chenapou (Aruataima) Falls.  Map by M.H. Sabaj and J.W. Armbruster.

Armbruster, J.W., M.H. Sabaj, M. Hardman, L.M. Page, and J.H. Knouft.  2000.  The Loricariid Catfish Genus Corymbophanes with Description of One New Species: C. kaii. Copeia.

Eigenmann, C. H.1912. The freshwater fishes of British Guiana, including a study of the ecological grouping of species and the relation of the fauna of the plateau to that of the lowlands. Mem. Carnegie Mus. 5:1?578.