Reticulate (arowana) knifefish (Papyrocranus afer) fish species and information / pictures of Reticulate (arowana) knifefish - Papyrocranus afer

Reticulate (arowana) knifefish (Papyrocranus afer) fish species information

Scientific Name
Papyrocranus afer

Common Name
Reticulate (arowana) knifefish

Biology
Dorsal spines : 0; Dorsal soft rays : 2; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 113 - 141. With 35-45 ventral spines; head 5.0-5.1 times SL; eye diameter 4.6-5.3 times head length; length of nasal tentacle twice the eye diameter. Caudal vertebrae 63-69.

Classification

Classified By

G?nther, 1868

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Bony tongues (Osteoglossiformes)

Family

Featherbacks or knifefishes (Notopteridae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Niger basin , most coastal river basins from Senegal and Gambia eastward to include the Tano and Prah basins in Ghana, and the Cross and Sanaga basins east of the Niger delta. It does not occur in the Volta basin, Chad, Ogoou?, Kwilu-Niari or Chiloango basins.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

30 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.5 - ? ; dH range: 10 - ? demersal

Trophic Level

3.59 s.e. 0.54 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

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

80.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7510 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.29)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)