Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Long narrow snout. Olivaceous brown above and white below. Dark spots on median fins and on body (Ref. 37032). Scales ganoid: thin bony scutes on leading edges of unpaired fins, and on both edges of caudal fin (Ref. 4639).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Holostei
Order: Lepisosteiformes
Family: Lepisosteidae
Genus: Lepisosteus
Species: Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Climate Zone
Biology
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Adults occur in sluggish pools, backwaters and oxbows of medium to large rivers, and lakes (Ref. 10294). Usually found near vegetation. Occasionally found in brackish waters. Spawning occur in freshwater and possibly slightly brackish water (Ref. 4639). Migrate up rivers during the spawning season (Ref. 4639). Eggs and larvae are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 4639). Voracious predator, feeding on various fishes and crustaceans. The roe is poisonous.
Habitat
brackish
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Threat to Humans
Other
Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus, 1758)