Shortfin bichir (Polypterus palmas palmas) fish species and information / pictures of Shortfin bichir - Polypterus palmas palmas

Shortfin bichir (Polypterus palmas palmas) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Polypterus palmas palmas

Common Name
Shortfin bichir

Biology
Dorsal spines : 7 9; Anal spines: 1214; Vertebrae: 56 - 59. Cylindrical body. Upper jaw prominent, a little longer than lower jaw. Number of dorsal finlets: 7-9. Pectoral fin not reaching dorsal fin origin. Ganoid scales : 55-58 lateral line scales, 33-39 scales around body, 25-32 predorsal scales. Dorsal surface of the body is grey colored, with dark grey to black irregular blotches forming a dense and reticulate pattern, ventral surface uniform pale. The fleshy base of the pectoral fin with small spots on the posterior part. Dorsal fin spotted, no dark coloration on pelvic and anal fin.

Classification

Classified By

Ayres, 1850

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Bichirs (Polypteriformes)

Family

Bichirs (Polypteridae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Cavally River basin in C?te d'Ivoire and the river basins of eastern Liberia up to the St. John River.

Range

7°N - 10°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

26 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: ? - 7.0; dH range: ? - 10 demersal

Trophic Level

2.91 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5010 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=5)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated