From Catalog of Fishes, 09/2009:

Microstomatichthyoborus bashforddeani Nichols & Griscom 1917. Fresh-water fishes of the Congo basin obtained by the American Museum Congo expedition, 1909-1915. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History v. 37 (art. 25): 653-756, Pls. 64-83. Bomokandi River, Poko, Congo. Holotype (unique): AMNH 6329. •Valid as Microstomatichthyoborus bashforddeani Nichols & Griscom 1917 -- (Daget & Gosse 1984:199 [ref. 6185], Poll & Gosse 1995:155 [ref. 24781]). Current status: Microstomatichthyoborus bashforddeani Nichols & Griscom 1917 Distichodontidae: . Distribution: Africa. Habitat: freshwater.

Microstomatichthyoborus bashforddeani is the only described representative of this genus.

From original description, Nichols & Griscom 1917:

Description of genus:

Upper jaw freely movable upwards; gill-membranes free from the isthmus; scales small, ciliated; lateral line along the middle of the side; a single series of small, broad hicuspid teeth in each jaw; dorsal origin-slightly in advance of origin of ventral; snout pointed, jaws even, mouth not nearly reaching eye; a scaly process at the base of the ventrals; body elongated, compressed.

Description of species:

The type, our only specimen, No. 6329, American Museum of Natural History, from Poko, August 1913, measures 63 mm. in length to base of caudal; depth 4½ times in this measure; head 3 4/5 times; snout pointed; jaws equal; maxillary extending 2/3 of the way to eye; snout equaling eye, which is 3 1/2 times in length of head and greater than interorbital width; about 12 teeth on each side in each jaw, equal in size; gill rakers moderately short and slender, few and widely spaced, 10 on lower limb of anterior arch. Dorsal II 11, originating at equal distance from end of snout and root of caudal, longest ray 2/3 length of head; anal 12; pectoral and ventral fins equal, ½ length of head. Caudal deeply forked, with pointed lobes, half covered with scales. Caudal peduncle 1½ times as long as deep. Scales 67, 8 between lateral line and root of ventral. Lobes of the caudal with oblique black bars. Alcoholic specimen otherwise unmarked.

This species is named for Prof. Bashford Dean of the American Museum of Natural History.

widespread within Congo River basin

• Freshwater