Polypterus endlicherii Heckel, 1847
Saddled bichir
photo by van Uitert, K.

Family:  Polypteridae (Bichirs)
Max. size:  65.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,400.0 g
Environment:  demersal; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Africa: Nile River, Chad basin, Niger River, Volta River, Bandama River, Comoé River and Ouémé River (Ref. 2835, 81263).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-18; Vertebrae: 53-57. Diagnosis: lower jaw longer than upper jaw; pectoral fin reaching first dorsal ray (Ref. 2835, 42908, 81263). 11-14 dorsal finlets (Ref. 28714, 122071), the first situated above the pectoral fins; head flat or slightly concave between the eyes but not convex (Ref. 28714). Third dorsal scale row the first to reach ventral midline; predorsal length short, 21.7-27.4 % SL; few (4-5, rarely 6), broad (more than 3 scale rows wide), dark transverse bars extending from dorsum to middle of flank by confluence of dorsal and lateral blotches sometimes including ventrolateral markings (Ref. 122071). Description: Body dorso-ventrally depressed, non subcylindrical, the height of which is comprised 7.1-9.1 times in body length and head length 4.1-5.5 times (Ref. 367, 2756, 2835, 42908, 81263). Head flattened, 1.3-1.7 times longer than broad; lower jaw longer than upper jaw; eye diameter 9.4-13 times in head length (Ref. 367, 2756, 2835, 81263). Dorsal fin with 11-14 rays followed by 20-26 dorsal and caudal articulated rays; anal fin with 15-18 rays; pectoral fin rounded getting behind the level of the first dorsal ray (Ref. 2835, 81263). Scales ganoid (Ref. 42904), 50-60 in lateral line, 39-48 around the body, 11-16 predorsal scales (Ref. 367, 2835, 42908, 81263, 122071), 39-45 prepelvic scales. Lateral line scales grooved with a posterior notched border (Ref. 367, 2835, 42908, 81263). Coloration: In alcohol, body yellowish or greenish on the upper parts, belly clearer, sides with characteristic and irregular vertical black bands; head and fins spotted with black (Ref. 2835, 3069, 81263).
Biology:  Inhabits swamps and rivers. Essentially piscivorous (Ref. 9695, 28714). Diet includes snails and crustaceans (Ref. 30488).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.