Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Elongated and robust body, its height 3.5-5 times in SL (Ref. 2920). Relatively short head, its length 3.5-5 times in standard length (Ref. 2920, 5156). Dermal bones of cranium deeply carved by large sensory pits (Ref. 1878, 2920). Lips thick; dermal flap on border of gill cover (Ref. 13851). Teeth conical (Ref. 5156). Dorsal and anal fins spineless, elongated and posteriorly positioned, ending close to the small, rounded caudal fin (Ref. 3032, 13851, 28714, 30488). Caudal peduncle very short (Ref. 2756, 3054, 3069). Scales strong, thick, large (Ref. 28714, 30488), oval, with exposed portion thick and corrugated, with a more or less vermiform sculpture (Ref. 53264). 34-40 lateral-line scales, 2.5/6 scales on lateral side of body before pelvic fin, 5-6 scales between dorsal and anal fin (Ref. 367, 2756, 2920, 5156). Lateral line a straight line from above operculum to middle of caudal peduncle (Ref. 1878). Number of gill rakers increases with size: 33 (young) to 98 on ceratobranchial and 21 (young) to 76 on epibranchial (Ref. 2920). Young specimens with external gills (Ref. 30488). Coloration a uniform gray, brown or bronze (Ref. 2920), darker during period of reproduction (Ref. 367). Young specimens often with dark longitudinal bands and scales with an oval spot in posterior zone of anal and dorsal fins (Ref. 2920).
Diseases and Parasites
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Tenuisentis Infection. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Sporozoa-infection (Myxobolus sp.). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Breeds in the wet season in swamps and floodplains (Ref. 28714), building a circular nest about 1 m in diameter and 20 to 60 cm deep (Ref. 26281). The rim of the nest is a high wall formed out of plant chunks, about 15-20 cm thick and projecting above the water surface; the bottom is a clean platform of clay or mud; after spawning the fish leave by way of a hole in the wall through which, 5 days later, the young leave the nest and are guarded by the male (Ref. 26281). Also Ref. 3074, 10609, 36900.
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 32 - 37; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 34 - 39; Vertebrae: 66 - 69
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Heterotis niloticus inhabits open water, fringing vegetation and swamps (Ref. 28714). It is predominantly microphagous (Ref. 13851, Ref. 30488) and feeds on mud, phytoplankton, vegetable debris and small invertebrates (Ref. 28714). This fish is a non-specialized bottom-feeder (Ref. 45895).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Obligate air-breathing (Ref. 126274), able to survive in deoxygenated waters; the hardiness of this fish, together with its great growth rate make it a candidate for aquaculture in Africa and it has been transported to a number of countries for this purpose (Ref. 1739, 50623). Escapees from ponds into the wild resulted in established populations, which form the basis for fisheries (Ref. 1739). Maximum observed length in Lake Kainji: 100 cm, observed weight: 10000 g (Ref. 3034, 3799). Young found in swampy places among aquatic vegetation (Ref. 5156, 30488). Adults live in open water of rivers and lakes, in both the pelagic and littoral zone (Ref. 5156). Feeds on mud (Ref. 6160, 28714), phytoplankton (Ref. 3023, 28714, 31256), vegetable debris and small invertebrates (Ref. 28714). The only plankton-feeder of the Osteoglossidae (Ref. 13851). Suprabranchial organ has a sensory function and a mechanic function in concentrating little food particles (Ref. 3012, 50624). During breeding, mature adults create a circular nest in swamps (Ref. 13851, 26281, 41544). Young leave the nest after a few days and are guarded by the male (Ref. 26281).
- Recorder
- Crispina B. Binohlan
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
- Recorder
- Crispina B. Binohlan
African arowana
provided by wikipedia EN
Heterotis niloticus -
MHNT
The African arowana or Nile arowana (Heterotis niloticus) is a species of bonytongue. Despite being called an "arowana", the African arowana is more closely related to arapaimas, the only other members in the subfamily Arapaiminae, than the South American, Asian, and Australian arowanas in the subfamily Osteoglossinae (Arapaiminae is sometimes considered to be a separate family from Osteoglossidae).[2][3] Compared to these, the African arowana has a more terminal mouth and is the only one that feeds extensively on plankton.[4]
Description
The African arowana is a long-bodied fish with large scales, long dorsal and anal fins set far back on the body, and a rounded caudal fin. Its height is 3.5 to 5.0 times standard length. It has been reported to reach up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long and weigh up to 10.2 kg (22 lb).[4]
This fish is gray, brown, or bronze in color. Coloration is uniform in adults, but juveniles often have dark longitudinal bands.
African arowanas have air-breathing organs on its branchiae, enabling them to survive in oxygen-depleted water. A suprabranchial organ allows it to concentrate small planktonic food particles and also has a sensory function.
Range
This species is widespread throughout Africa, where it is native to all the watersheds in Sahelo-Sudanese region, Senegal, and Gambia, as well as parts of eastern Africa. This range includes the basins of the Corubal, Volta, Ouémé, Niger, Bénoué, and Nile Rivers, as well as those of Lake Chad and Lake Turkana. It has been successfully introduced to Côte d'Ivoire, the Cross River in Nigeria, the Sanaga and Nyong Rivers in Cameroon, and the Ogooué River in Gabon, as well as the lower and middle Congo River basin, including Ubangui and Kasaï Rivers. It has also been introduced in Madagascar. In some cases, introduction is reported to have had a negative impact on the local ecology.[4]
Human use
African arowana is used locally as a food fish and has been collected in the past for the aquarium trade. It is not aggressive like its relatives.[5] It is aquacultured in its native range, being a very successful culture due to its tolerance for crowding and ease of feeding.[6]
References
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^ Diouf, K.; Akinyi, E.; Azeroual, A.; Entsua-Mensah, M.; Getahun, A.; Lalèyè, P.; Moelants, T. (2020). "Heterotis niloticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T182580A134764025. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T182580A134764025.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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^ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2021). "Osteoglossidae" in FishBase. July 2021 version.
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^ Hilton, E. J.; Lavoué, S. (2018). "A review of the systematic biology of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha (Actinopterygii: Teleostei)". Neotropical Ichthyology. 16 (3). doi:10.1590/1982-0224-20180031.
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^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Heterotis niloticus" in FishBase. July 2014 version.
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^ Nanconnection (2003). (แอบ)คุยเรื่องปลาตู้ โครงการ 2 : ปลาอโรตัวเป็นวาน่าเลี้ยง [(Secretly) talk about the aquarium fish. Project 2: Aro fish is a Wana] (in Thai). Bangkok: SE-ED Book Center. ISBN 9789745348653.
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^ "Aquaculture of Heterotis niloticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: Potentials and Perspectives". Genetics and Biodiversity Journal. doi:10.46325/gabj.v6i1.195. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
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African arowana: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Heterotis niloticus -
MHNT The African arowana or Nile arowana (Heterotis niloticus) is a species of bonytongue. Despite being called an "arowana", the African arowana is more closely related to arapaimas, the only other members in the subfamily Arapaiminae, than the South American, Asian, and Australian arowanas in the subfamily Osteoglossinae (Arapaiminae is sometimes considered to be a separate family from Osteoglossidae). Compared to these, the African arowana has a more terminal mouth and is the only one that feeds extensively on plankton.
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- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
