Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) fish species and information / pictures of Ornate bichir - Polypterus ornatipinnis

Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Polypterus ornatipinnis

Common Name
Ornate bichir

Biology
Dorsal spines : 9 ; 11; Anal spines: 1415. Subcylindrical body. Upper and lower jaw of equal length. Number of dorsal finlets: 9-11. Dorsal fin origin well behind pectoral fin. Ganoid scales : 58-65 lateral line scales, 38-44 scales around body, 22-27 predorsal scales. Dorsal side grey-brown colored, marbled with clear whitish spots , the belly is white to yellowish. Head finely reticulated. Fins with white spots alternating with dark spots, forming a continuous bar.

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1902

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Bichirs (Polypteriformes)

Family

Bichirs (Polypteridae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Congo River basin ; Lake Rukwa drainage and Lake Tanganyika.

Range

Unknown

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; demersal

Trophic Level

3.69 s.e. 0.60 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

60.0 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: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=200-300)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)