African pike-characin (Phago loricatus)

Scientific name: Phago loricatus G?nther, 1865

The African pike-characin (Phago loricatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–27°C (72–81°F). Native range: Africa, basins Lower Niger, B?nou?, Ou?m?, Ogun and Wouri.

African pike-characin care at a glance

Temperature
22–27°C (72–81°F)

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Body depth 6.5-8.7x SL, head length 3.7-4.5x SL. Head 2.9-3.8 x longer than wide. Eye 4-5.3x, snout 2.4-2.8x head length. Anterior cuspid of external bicuspid row well developed, internal conical row smaller than external row of teeth. Caudal peduncle 6.1-8.6 x longer than high. Thick scales vertically elongated. 3-5 vertical black stripes on dorsal formed by small black spots. 2-3 brown-black oblique stripes on caudal fin. Sides uniformly colored or marked with vertical spots on lateral line generally joint on posterior end.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Phago loricatus
Family
Distichodontidae
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
16.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.2; dH range: ? - 15 demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: basins Lower Niger, B?nou?, Ou?m?, Ogun and Wouri.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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