Polypterus endlicherii Heckel, 1847
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 14; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 18; Vertebrae: 53 - 57. Diagnosis: lower jaw longer than upper jaw; pectoral fin reaching first dorsal ray (Ref. 2835, 42908, 81263). 11-14 dorsal finlets (Ref. 28714, 122071), the first situated above the pectoral fins; head flat or slightly concave between the eyes but not convex (Ref. 28714). Third dorsal scale row the first to reach ventral midline; predorsal length short, 21.7-27.4 % SL; few (4-5, rarely 6), broad (more than 3 scale rows wide), dark transverse bars extending from dorsum to middle of flank by confluence of dorsal and lateral blotches sometimes including ventrolateral markings (Ref. 122071).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Cladistii
Order: Polypteriformes
Family: Polypteridae
Genus: Polypterus
Species: Polypterus endlicherii Heckel, 1847
Climate Zone
Biology
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Inhabits swamps and rivers. Essentially piscivorous (Ref. 9695, 28714). Diet includes snails and crustaceans (Ref. 30488).
Habitat
demersal
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Threat to Humans
Harmless
Polypterus endlicherii Heckel, 1847