Biology:Heterobranchus bidorsalis

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of fish

Heterobranchus bidorsalis
Zoologie. Poissons du Nil. 1. L'Hétérobranche harmout (Heterobranchus anguillaris); 3. Myologie de l'épaule du Harmout, 4. Myologie de l'os furculaire; 2. L'Hétérobranche halé (NYPL b14212718-1268515).jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Clariidae
Genus: Heterobranchus
Species:
H. bidorsalis
Binomial name
Heterobranchus bidorsalis
É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809
Synonyms
  • Heterobranchus geoffroyi Valenciennes, 1840
  • Heterobranchus senegalensis Valenciennes, 1840
  • Heterobranchus intermedius Günther, 1864

Heterobranchus bidorsalis, the African catfish or eel-like fattyfin catfish, is an airbreathing catfish found in Africa.[1][2] It is closely related to the vundu catfish, which is well-known among fishermen.

Description

The head of Heterobranchus bidorsalis is shaped like an oval and has a rectangular dorsum. The snout is round and the eyes are lateral. The frontal fontanelle is long and narrow while the occipital fontanelle is relatively long and is shaped like an oval. The postorbital bones are completely united. The suprabranchial organ is well developed. The pectoral spine is smooth. The body and fins may have spots. It can reach a length of 150 cm (59.0 inches) TL. The maximum recorded weight for this species is 30.0 kg. The species has 40-46 dorsal (in the back) soft rays, 49-58 anal soft rays, and 62-63 vertebrate.[2]

Relationship to humans

This fish is commercially fished for human consumption.[2]

Habitat and distribution

This catfish is a demersal fish and inhabits freshwater.[2] It lives in waters of 22.0-28.0 °C (71.6-82.4 °F).[3] It is found widely in the northern half of Africa between Senegal and Ethiopia, as well as the Nile.[1] It can be found in the Niger River, Gambia River, Senegal River, Baro River, Benue River, Volta River and Lake Chad.[1][2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Azeroual, A.; Entsua-Mensah, M.; Getahun, A.; Lalèyè, P. (2010). "Heterobranchus bidorsalis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) 2010: e.T181917A7763801. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T181917A7763801.en. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). "Heterobranchus bidorsalis" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  3. "Heterobranchus bidorsalis". Planet Catfish. http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=1439. 

Wikidata ☰ Q1108861 entry