Parachanna africana (Steindachner, 1879)
African snakehead
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Channidae (Snakeheads)
Max. size:  32 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: south Benin (lower Ouémé River) to Nigeria (lower Cross River)(Ref. 57290, 81648). Reports from Cameroon (Ref. 3575, 51193) unconfirmed and questionable (Ref. 57290, 81648). Report from Gabon dubious (Ref. 81648).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 45-48; Anal spines: -0; Anal soft rays: 32-35. Diagnosis: body elongate, tapering backwards; lateral-line scales medium-sized, numbering 73-83; head depressed anteriorly and covered with larger scales; lower jaw slightly longer than upper, with 3-4 well developed canines; dorsal and anal fins not touching caudal fin; dorsal fin with 45-48, anal with 32-35 rays; 8-11 chevron-shaped dark bars on sides (Ref. 57290, 81648). Coloration: body light to dark grey, back and top of head darker, underside lighter; dark lateral band on head, broadening between hind margin of eye and hind margin of gill cover, followed by a large, rounded, black spot; small, rounded black spot at base of caudal fin; all fins covered with small dark spots forming more or less distinct oblique bands; ground colour of juveniles ochre, and a long, black lateral band extending from tip of snout to hind margin of caudal fin (Ref. 57290, 81648).
Biology:  Maximum SL reported is 17.2 cm (Ref. 57290).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 April 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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