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