Polypterus ornatipinnis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Polypterus ornatipinnis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ornate bichir | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Subclass: | Chondrostei |
| Order: | Polypteriformes |
| Family: | Polypteridae |
| Genus: | Polypterus |
| Species: | P. ornatipinnis |
| Binomial name | |
| Polypterus ornatipinnis Boulenger, 1902[1] | |
The ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) is a bony fish found in Lake Tanganyika and the Congo River basin in Central and East Africa.
Description
P. ornatipinnis has black and yellow patterning on its body, head, and fins, with 9 to 11 dorsal spines. It is the largest of the Polypterus species, with a protruding upper jaw,[1] reaching 24 in (61 cm) in length. This fish can range in colour from dark brown to brownish grey, and is very common in the aquarium trade, like many other bichirs. This fish has a primitive pair of lungs, enabling it to survive out of water for a short time. It has eyes on the sides on its head and two pectoral fins, and is one of the more attractive of the bichirs.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Evans, Sean. "Polypterus ornatipinnis". Polypterus.info. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ↑ From the exhibit caption at the New England Aquarium, 2008.
External links
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