Parachanna obscura
| Obscure snakehead | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Channidae |
| Genus: | Parachanna |
| Species: | P. obscura |
| Binomial name | |
|
Parachanna obscura (Günther, 1861) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Ophiocephalus obscurus Günther, 1861 |
|
Ophiocephalus obscurus Günther, 1861
The obscure snakehead, Parachanna obscura, is a medium-sized carnivorous fish that has an elongated shape tapered on both ends and is covered in medium circular scales (cycloid). The head, resembling a snake, is long and depressed anteriorly and covered with cycloid scales slightly larger than those scales on the body. This species is found in central Africa along the western coastline from as far north as Senegal to as far south as Zaire and into central Africa into southwest Sudan.
Four identified Parachanna species originate within the continent of Africa. They include P. fayumensis (fossil), P. africana, P. insignis, and the most common, P. obscura.P. africana is restricted to Benin, Nigeria, and into Gabon, P. insignis is found throughout the Congo River basin in Congo and into Gabon, and P. obscura is the most widespread of the African species, being found in the Lake Chad basin, and the Nile, Zaire, Cross, Niger, and Senegal River basins.
Parachanna obscura is a medium-sized carnivorous fish with an elongated shape tapered on both ends, and is covered in medium circular scales (cycloid). The head, resembling a snake, is long and depressed anteriorly and covered with cycloid scales slightly larger than those scales on the body. The eyes are laterally located, large, and help the fish to locate its prey quickly. Two pairs of nostrils occur on either side of the head. The mouth is large, and because the lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper jaw, the fish is able to thrust out its lower jaw (protract) to catch its prey. The fish has two rows of teeth. The outer row consists of small, sharp, conical teeth, and the inner row consists of four to six large canines.P. obscura has a single lateral line. The coloration of P. obscura adults and juveniles consists of dark blackish, rounded spots found along the flanks. The ventral side of the fish has a yellowish, reddish, and brownish marbling coloration. Dark spots on the back and lateral dark bands on the head help to define the fish. A baby fish initially has an ochre base coloration with a black stripe down its flank from the snout to the caudal fin.P.obscura larvae are yellow in color.
...
Wikipedia