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Polypterus ansorgii
Scientific name: Polypterus ansorgii (Boulenger, 1910)
Synonyms: Polypterus ansorgei
Common name(s): Guinean bichir
Origin: West Africa (Guinea). Possibly distributed from Ogun River (Nigeria) to Corbal River (Guinea Bissau), although this wider
distribution is unconfirmed and may arise from misidentification of P. bichir.
Max reported size (TL): 280mm (11")
Description: Greenish-black colouration with large dark blotches on the flanks. The jaws are of similar length, though
the lower jaw is likely to protude slightly on mature specimens.
The 12-15 dorsal finlets extend forward to the rear of the pectoral fins.
Comments: A rare bichir which appears to have a restricted natural distribution and is not generally exported for the
aquarium trade. It is likely that it has been confused with other species (e.g. p47 of the Aquarien-Atlas vol. 6 shows P. palmas).
The available description of this species is based on only a small number of museum specimens, and it is possible that characters such
as the maximum size may be innacurate.
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