Description

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 8 - 10; Anal soft rays: 10 - 13; Vertebrae: 25 - 26. Diagnosis: snout blunt; jaws weakly protrusible (ascending process of premaxilla short, not reaching anterior border of orbit) (Ref. 57414). Pelvic fins very lightly pigmented (Ref. 57414, 81650, 93191) or unpigmented (Ref. 81650). Labyrinth composed of a complex, multiple folded plate (Ref. 57414, 81650, 93191). Adults larger than 75 mm SL; body depth into SL usually fewer than 3 times; spot at base of caudal fin without pale ring in adults; lachrymal never serrated (Ref. 57414). Body and head grey or tan (Ref. 81650), flanks without faint mottling (Ref. 57414, 81650, 93191). 3-3.5 scales in upper and 8-8.5 in lower vertical series (Ref. 93191). 4 scales from last pored scale in upper lateral line to dorsal-fin base (counting pored scale) (Ref. 57414). 10-18 pored scales in upper lateral line (Ref. 81650), 9-14 in lower (Ref. 93191). 11-16 scales on right operculum; interorbit into head length 2.3-3.0 (Ref. 93191).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Anabantiformes

Family: Anabantidae

Genus: Ctenopoma

Species: Ctenopoma kingsleyae Günther, 1896

Climate Zone

Location

• Africa: Senegal (Ref. 57414) to Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 93897), including the basins of the Senegal, Volta, Niger (Ref. 57414) and Congo (Ref. 81650). Also reported from Mauritania (Ref. 55783). Widespread in Lower Guinea but known from relatively few localities (Ref. 81650).

Biology

Obligate air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Prefers forest regions (Ref. 7393, 57414).

Habitat

benthopelagic

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless