Scientific Name
Polypterus bichir bichir
Common Name
Nile bichir
Biology
Dorsal
spines
: 14 - 18;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 13 - 16;
Vertebrae: 61 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.8-10.3 times in its length; head length 4.1-5.5 times in body length. Head width 1.7-2.3 times in head length, eye-diameter 8.5-13.0 times in head length. Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw. Number of dorsal finlets: 14-18 ; dorsal finlets overlapping when folded down. Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 19-21. Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine. Ganoid scales : 63-70 lateral line scales; 46-54 scales around body; 11-16 predorsal scales. Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border. The color is olive, but white on the ventral side, with three darker longitudinal bands on the lateral side, which are more visible in young than adults; pectoral and pelvic