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Region: Africa Class: Osteichthyes Order: Perciformes Family: Anabantidae Genus: Ctenopoma Scientific Name: Ctenopoma acutirostre
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Description:
Length to 15 cm. The deepest-bodied species of Ctenopoma; the body-depth is about half the standard length (without caudal). The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are completely separate but present a uniformly broad surface when erected. The head is large and pointed. The throat-chest profile is convex; the forehead-nape profile is concave. The mouth is very large. Colour is camouflaged brown-yellow, olive-brown or yellow-brown with numerous dark blotches which also extend onto the fins and often appear almost black. A black blotch, rimmed with yellowish to orange, is on the caudal peduncle. Fins are olive-green to green-yellow and the edges of the soft dorsal and anal, and of the caudal, glass clear. The pectoral fins have orange leading edges.
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Distribution:
Middle and Upper Congo Basin.
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Habitat:
Weedy forest streams, quiet backwaters of large rivers also ponds, swamps and irrigation ditches.
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Food:
Predator. Chiefly feeds on other fish and insect larvae
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Reproduction and Development:
They lay their eggs in a bubble nest and give little care to the young hatchlings.
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Adaptations:
Air breather.
During drought this fish moves across the flat land using its pectoral fins.
Well camouflaged in its leafy habitat.
Note the dot at the rear end to confuse predators – it is like an eye.
Slow swimmer, prefers to stay perched in the vegetation
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Status:
common
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Zoo Diet:
Worms, fish gel and fish fillets
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Store
Animal Fact Sheet
The New Tundra Trek