freshwater
Reedfish
Erpetoichthys calabaricus
Elongated, snake-like body covered in thick, interlocking ganoid scales. Olive to brownish-gray coloration, paddle-like pectoral fins, and a series of small dorsal finlets running along the back. It lacks pelvic fins.
- Habitat
- Slow-moving freshwater rivers, swamps, and floodplains w…
- Size & weight
- Typically grows to 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 inches) in leng…
- Diet
- Carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans, aquatic insec…
Identified More freshwater →
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Physical characteristics
Elongated, snake-like body covered in thick, interlocking ganoid scales. Olive to brownish-gray coloration, paddle-like pectoral fins, and a series of small dorsal finlets running along the back. It lacks pelvic fins.
Habitat & distribution
Slow-moving freshwater rivers, swamps, and floodplains with dense vegetation and muddy bottoms in West and Central Africa.
Behavior
Nocturnal and generally peaceful, often secretive and spends daylight hours hiding in dense vegetation, caves, or under substrate. Known for its ability to breathe atmospheric air using a modified lung.
Diet
Carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans, aquatic insects, worms, and small fish, primarily detected using its keen sense of smell.
Reproduction
Egg-scatterer that breeds during the rainy season, laying eggs among aquatic plants where they hatch into larvae that possess external gills.
Ecological role
Acts as an opportunistic benthic predator and scavenger, helping to control invertebrate and small fish populations in its native aquatic ecosystem.
Similar species
Bichirs (Polypterus species), which are closely related and have similar elongated bodies, but can be distinguished by specific scale counts, fin structures, and overall proportions.
Identification tips
Look for the distinct snake-like eel body, small external pectoral fins right behind the head, a row of separate dorsal spines, and ganoid scales.
Interesting facts
Reedfish are famous for their ability to survive out of water for extended periods as long as they stay moist, using their primitive lungs to breathe atmospheric air. They are also notorious escape artists in aquariums due to their ability to squeeze through tiny gaps.