| Family: |
Polypteridae (Bichirs) |
| Max. size: |
28 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: The species is described from the Corubal River in Guinea Bissau (Ref. 2835, 81263); and it has been reported recently from the Niger basin in Guinea and in lake Kainji and the Ogun River in Nigeria (Ref. 2835, 81263). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Diagnosis: Polypterus ansorgii is distinguished from other species of the genus by its two jaws of equal length and its dorsal fin set forward, only separated from the head by 11 to 13 scales (Ref. 2835, 81263).
Description: Subcylindrical body (Ref. 2756, 42908); body height comprised 7,5 to 8 times in total length and head length 4 to 4,8 times (Ref. 81263). Upper and lower jaw of equal length (Ref. 2835, 3032, 42908). Dorsal fin with 13 to 15 deeply notched rays (Ref. 2835, 3032, 81263). Pectoral fin longer than vertical through first dorsal ray (Ref. 2756). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 55-62 in longitudinal line; 42-46 around body; 11-13 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, 3032, 42908, 81263).
Colouration: The colour is greenish-black with large black blotches on the flanks (Ref. 3023). Body mottled with black on preserved specimens (Ref. 2835, 81263). |
| Biology: |
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 April 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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