| Family: |
Polypteridae (Bichirs) |
| Max. size: |
32.1 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: lower and middle Congo River basin (Ref. 28149, 46409) in Cameroon, Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-14; Vertebrae: 50-56. Cylindrical body (Ref. 28149, Ref. 46409). Upper jaw a little longer than lower jaw (Ref. 28149). Number of dorsal finlets: 5-7 (Ref. 28149, Ref. 51884); used to distinguish Polypterus palmas polli from P. p. palmas and P. p. buettikoferi (Ref. 28149). Pectoral fin not reaching dorsal fin origin (Ref. 28149). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 52-55 lateral line scales, 32-39 scales around body, 22-28 predorsal scales (Ref. 28149, Ref. 51884). Dorsal surface and flanks with large black blotches, forming a dense reticulate pattern, ventral surface uniform pale (Ref. 28149). The fleshy base of the pectoral fin with a large grey to black spot (Ref. 28149, Ref. 46409). Dorsal fin spotted, pectoral fin with a striped pattern in some specimens, pelvic fin pale and anal fin sometimes slightly colored (Ref. 28149). |
| Biology: |
This entomophagous fish lives in swamps and zones of flood (Ref. 41580). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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