Taxonomy & naming
Parakneria cameronensis was described by Boulenger in 1909 as Kneria cameronensis from the Ja River, a Congo system tributary in southern Cameroon, and was later moved to Parakneria; the parentheses around the authority record that move. It belongs to Kneriidae, the African shellears. Stores sell it as Parakneria cf. cameronensis, a label that marks a fish close to but not confirmed as the species.
Morphology
FishBase gives a maximum of 3.5 in SL. Kneriids are small, slender, elongate fishes with a flattened underside, and they are among the less familiar African fishes in the trade.
Habitat
FishBase has no habitat entry for this species beyond its place in the Congo system of southern Cameroon. Parakneria in general are fishes of flowing, well-oxygenated streams.
Feeding
FishBase records it as a microphagous feeder, taking very small items. Kneriids graze on the bottom and surfaces.
Mating
Courtship and spawning behaviour have not been described for this species.
Breeding
FishBase has no reproduction entry for this species.
In the aquarium
The species is sold in small numbers as an oddball. Keepers of related kneriids use a long tank with strong flow, clean well-oxygenated water, rockwork and a lid, since the fish jump, and offer fine foods. Temperature, pH and hardness are not recorded for the species.
Conservation
The IUCN Red List assessed Parakneria cameronensis as Least Concern in 2009.