Reedfish Identification Guide
Spotting the snake-like body, fringed dorsal finlets, and missing pelvic fins that mark this African bichir relative.
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Key identification features
- Extremely elongate, cylindrical, snake-like body with no visible waist between head and trunk
- A row of small, separate dorsal finlets running along the back, each with a short spine
- Thick, ganoid (bony, diamond-shaped) scales giving a slightly armored sheen
- No pelvic fins at all, distinguishing it from true bichirs, which retain small pelvic fins
- Olive-brown to gray coloration, paler belly, small rounded pectoral fins used for "walking" along the substrate
Common look-alikes
- Bichirs (Polypterus spp.) — nearly identical body plan but always show a pair of small pelvic fins near the vent
- Freshwater eels — smooth scaleless skin and a continuous fin fringe, lacking the separate spiny dorsal finlets
- Spiny eels (Mastacembelidae) — have a long pointed snout and lack ganoid scales
Where you'll see one
Native to slow, swampy rivers, floodplains, and vegetated backwaters of West and Central Africa, from Nigeria to the Congo basin. It tolerates low-oxygen water by gulping air with a modified lung and is most active after dark, resting hidden among roots and debris by day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I distinguish a reedfish from a true bichir?
Check behind the head near the belly — bichirs have a small pair of pelvic fins there, while reedfish have none.
What fin feature best identifies a reedfish at a glance?
The row of small separate spiny finlets running down the back instead of one continuous dorsal fin.