West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens annectens) fish species and information / pictures of West African lungfish - Protopterus annectens annectens

West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens annectens) fish species information

Scientific Name
Protopterus annectens annectens

Common Name
West African lungfish

Biology
Prominent snout; small eyes, its diameter 9-15 times in the head length (Ref. 2834). Paired fins long and filamentous (Ref. 367). Pectoral fins with a basal fringe are about 3 times the head length; pelvic fins are about 2 times the head length (Ref. 2834). In general 3 external gills inserted posterior to the gill slits and above pectoral fins (Ref. 2834). 40-50 scales between operculum and anus, 36-40 around the body before dorsal-fin origin (Ref. 2834). 34-37 pairs of ribs (Ref. 41467). Cycloid scales embedded in the skin (Ref. 3023). Dorsal side olive or brown colored, ventral side lighter; great blackish or brownish spots on the body and fins except on the belly (Ref. 367).

Classification

Classified By

Owen, 1839

Class

Lobe-finned fishes (Sarcopterygii)

Order

South American and African Lungfishes (Lepidosireniformes)

Family

African lungfishes (Protopteridae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Volta and Chad basins, also in temporary tributaries of Chari River in Western Sudan (Ref. 3498); Bandama and Como? basins in C?te d'Ivoire and certain basins of Sierra Leone and Guinea (Ref. 2834).

Range

22°N - 30°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

25 °C

Water Temperature To

30 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.83 s.e. 0.64 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

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6602 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax = 23 (in captivity); Fec

Threat To Humans

  Harmless

IUCN Red List Status