Description

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Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 14; Vertebrae: 110 - 113. Diagnosis: The dorsal fin is composed of a series of well-separated spines each supporting one or several articulated rays and a membrane (Ref. 42791). Erpetoichthys calabaricus is distinguished from all Polypterus species by its very elongated, anguilliform body and the absence of ventral fin and subopercle (Ref. 2835, 42768, 81263).

Common Names

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Bichir kalabarský , Czech , Czechia

Bichirek úhořovitý , Czech , Czechia

Panserål , Danish , Denmark

Mujanjé , Duala , Cameroon

Munjonjô , Duala , Cameroon

Muyonjô , Duala , Cameroon

Reed , English , USA

Reedfish , English , USA

Reedfish , English , Global

Ropefish , English , USA

Sailfin , English , Nigeria

Snake Fish , English , USA

Snakefish , English , USA

Putkkala , Estonian , Estonia

Käärmekala , Finnish , Finland

Flösselaal , German , Germany

Bano , Hausa , Nigeria

Agbaroko , Ijo , Nigeria

Ogboro , Ijo , Nigeria

Korotuwugboru , Ijo (Ijaw) , Nigeria

苇栖多鳍鱼 , Mandarin Chinese , China

葦棲多鰭魚 , Mandarin Chinese , China

Fenål , Swedish , Sweden

Öronål , Swedish , Sweden

Adagba , Yoruba , Nigeria

Lakisa , Yoruba , Nigeria

Woyi , Yoruba , Nigeria

Taxonomic Hierarchy

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Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Cladistii

Order: Polypteriformes

Family: Polypteridae

Genus: Erpetoichthys

Species: Erpetoichthys calabaricus Smith, 1865

Climate Zone

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Tropical

Location

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Africa: coastal species, inhabiting river estuaries from Ouémé River in Benin to Sanaga River in Cameroon (Ref. 53784, 81628). Also reported from the Chiloango River (Ref. 1878, 2835, 3188, 42870, 43033, 81263), but this record needs confirmation and needs to be supported by additional material evidence (Ref. 53784, 81628).

Biology

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Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Found in slow flowing rivers and standing waters (Ref. 557). Apparently restricted to reedy habitats (Ref. 42768). It moves snake-wise over the bottom, but it can also side-wind quite rapidly through the water (Ref. 42873). Feeds at night on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Able to breathe air and thus can tolerate low oxygen concentrations. Larvae have external gills and resemble salamander larvae (Ref. 557). The maximum size of 90 cm TL (Ref. 3188) is probably erroneous; the largest size in collections is 37 cm (Ref. 78138).

Habitat

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brackish

Conservation Status

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Near Threatened

Threat to Humans

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Harmless