Polypterus retropinnis

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Polypterus retropinnis
Systematics
Class : Ray fins (Actinopterygii)
Subclass : Cladistia
Order : Polypteriformes
Family : Pike (Polypteridae)
Genre : Common pike ( Polypterus )
Type : Polypterus retropinnis
Scientific name
Polypterus retropinnis
Vaillant , 1899

Polypterus retropinnis is a freshwater fish from the family of the pike fish (Polypteridae), which occurs in the Ogooué and the central Congo basin.

features

Polypterus retropinnis becomes a maximum of 34 cm long. The body, covered with ganoid scales , is elongated and approximately round in cross-section. The body height is 8.3 to 10.4 times included in the standard length , the head length 5.6 to 6.7 times. The length in front of the first raft is 55.7 to 63.2% of the standard length. The distance between the nostrils is 14.3 to 18% of the length of the head. Both jaws are of the same length in most cases, the lower jaw can also be a little longer in some cases. The number of vertebrae is 57 to 58. The upper side of the body is gray or brownish, shows a pattern of irregular olive-colored to brownish-black spots, and clearly demarcated from the yellowish to light beige underside. A lower jaw underside with black spots distinguishes the type of Polypterus palmas . The fins are spotted brown. The pectoral fins have yellow fin bases and are spotted black on their outer edge. The number of dorsal fin is 7 to 9. The first dorsal fin ray is narrow and short and reaches 4.6 to 6.1 & the length of the head. The number of anal fin rays is 12 to 15, that of the caudal fin rays 13 to 16. The pectoral fins do not reach to the base of the first flipper. They are supported by 30 to 32 fin rays. Polypterus retropinnis has 56 to 58 scales in a row along the sideline , 30 to 38 scales in a row around the body, 26 to 34 scales in front of the first flipper, and 40 to 46 scales in front of the pelvic fins.

Way of life

Polypterus retropinnis inhabits small rivers, swamps and flooded areas. Like all pike, it feeds predatory on a variety of prey.

literature

  • Melanie Stiassny, Guy Teugels & Carl D. Hopkins: The Fresh and Brackish Water Fishes of Lower Guinea, West-Central Africa, Volume 1. ISBN 978-9-0747-5220-6

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