Bichir Thread #54

[Schmike]

Originally Posted by Ong88

What's this?

Dennis & Schmike : where are you guys?

Originally Posted by Ong88

was told it's a Dabola sp.
is that a PBB sub sp?

There is no such thing as PBB sub sp. PBB is already a sub species of Polypterus bichir which only contains Polypterus bichir bichir and Polypterus bichir lapradei

I have no idea on how to ID those whatever sp dabola, sp koloton, sp koliba. Some just look like one another to me. But the above piece is definitely not a PBB.

When I first got my WC PBB I was also told that "7" is the key to ID a PBB. But there were others who debated and challenged on this method and there are indeed laps that have "7" and being confirmed not PBB. The key to PBB ID is still highly on the skull and jaw structure. Finlets is just an "assurance" but a finlet count of 14-16 can also possibly be lap. Only 17-18 is definite PBB. Unless someone want to be more challenging and go for more technical ID on these 2 species.

PBB (http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Poly...ir+bichir.html):

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 16; Vertebrae: 61 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.8-10.3 times in its length; head length 4.1-5.5 times in body length (Ref. 2835). Head width 1.7-2.3 times in head length, eye-diameter 8.5-13.0 times in head length (Ref. 2835). Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Number of dorsal finlets: 14-18 (Ref. 42908); dorsal finlets overlapping when folded down (Ref. 31439). Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 19-21 (Ref. 367). Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine (Ref. 367). Ganoid scales (Ref. 36900, Ref. 42904): 63-70 lateral line scales; 46-54 scales around body; 11-16 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border (Ref. 2835). The color is olive, but white on the ventral side, with three darker longitudinal bands on the lateral side, which are more visible in young than adults; pectoral and pelvic fins have greenish and yellowish transversal bands (Ref. 367, Ref. 2835).

PBL (http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Poly...+lapradei.html):

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 60 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.6-11.2 times in its length; head length 4.3-5.6 times in body length (Ref. 2835). Head width 1.5-2.2 times in head length; eye-diameter 8-12 times in head length (Ref. 2835). Lower jaw longer than upper jaw (Ref. 2835). Number of dorsal finlets: 13-15 (Ref. 42908). Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 20-21 (Ref. 2835). Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine (Ref. 2835). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 58-68 lateral line scales, 46-52 scales around body, 11-15 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border (Ref. 2835). Yellowish or greenish colored on the dorsal side, ventral side more clear; darker longitudinal bands on lateral side (Ref. 2835). Dark spots and blotches are sometimes present on caudal, ventral and pelvic fins and underside of the belly (Ref. 13851).