African Reedfish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) fish species and information / pictures of African Reedfish - Erpetoichthys calabaricus

African Reedfish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Common Name
African Reedfish

Biology
Found in slow flowing rivers and standing waters. Apparently restricted to reedy habitats. It moves snake-wise over the bottom, but it can also side-wind quite rapidly through the water. Feeds at night on worms, crustaceans and insects. Able to breathe air and thus can tolerate low oxygen concentrations. Larvae have external gills and resemble salamander larvae. The size of 90 cm TL is not confirmed; largest size in collections is 37 cm.

Classification

Classified By

Smith, 1865

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Bichirs (Polypteriformes)

Family

Bichirs (Polypteridae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Ogun River mouth in Nigeria to Chiloango River in Congo Brazzaville.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 demersal; depth range 0 - ? m

Trophic Level

3.26 s.e. 0.40 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

37.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0005 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 (30 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=20; Fec

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Near Threatened (NT)