Reticulate (arowana) knifefish (Papyrocranus afer)

Scientific name: Papyrocranus afer G?nther, 1868

The Reticulate (arowana) knifefish (Papyrocranus afer) is a freshwater fish of the family Notopteridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–30°C (75–86°F).

Reticulate (arowana) knifefish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F)

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Papyrocranus afer
Family: Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes)
Order: Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 80.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - ?; dH range: 10 - ? demersal
Climate: Tropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.29)