Polypteruspt

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  1. [gallery640x480] [album]4959[/album] [/gallery]
  2. Boa noite, Manuel Vieira Vieirinha Capa tenho 35 anos e estou no bobbie desde miúdo como muitos daqui, primeiro com os famosos conetas e peixes de agua fria passando pelos bettas, mais tarde a onda dos ciclídeos durante anos e anos com os meus nigro faciatus, mais tarde os comunitários ate chegar aos monsters e dar de frente com a espécie de peixes que mais me esta a marcar ate aos dias de hoje que são os polyptetidae em especial os Polypterus, no qual mantenho a pouco mais de 1 anos mas já com mais de 30 polys e varias estripes... tenho uma pagina/ grupo de FB onde partilho eu e outros membros diariamente varias fotos, informações e experiencias com tudo que esteja relacionado com os Polypteridae... Estou neste forum desde 2010 se bem que mais na parte de pesquisa que propriamente na parte da discussão e partilha, a ideia desta minha vinda aqui é para tentar dar a conhecer estes fantásticos peixes que existem no planeta a mais de 200 milhões de anos.... #polypterusPT
  3. African countries list of where living Polypterids are found. I did not bother listing the body of water where they catch Polypterids. Way too many to list and some I don't really know and can't say 100%, as we keep on getting many different unknown species. Can be a variant of a known species, a subspecies from an existing complex or a new species. Hopefully I'll have more time to do that someday with pictures. However not at this moment due to busy life of mine and lack of financials.

    Northern Africa
    1. Egypt
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)

    2. Sudan
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    3. South Sudan
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    Western Africa
    1. Benin
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    2. Burkina Faso
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    3. Cameroon
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
    -Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir)
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterud tuegelsi (Cross river bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus polli (Marble bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    4. Gambia
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

    5. Ghana
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    6. Guinea
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Goldust bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    7. Guinea-Bissau
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    8. Ivory Coast
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    9. Liberia
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Golddust bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)

    10. Mali
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    11. Niger
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

    12. Nigeria
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    13. Senegal
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Golddust bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

    14. Sierra Leon
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Golddust bichir)

    15. Togo
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)

    16. Mauritania
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)

    Central Africa
    1. Chad
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    2. Central African Republic
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    3. Democratic Republic of the Congo
    -Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir)
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis (Oranate bichir)
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus mokelembembe (Mokele-mbembe bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus meridionalis (Southern bichir)
    -Polypterus polli (Marble bichir)
    -Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir)
    -Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)

    4. Equitoral Guinea
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)

    5. Gabon
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)

    6.Republic of the Congo
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
    -Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir)
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
    -Polypterus mokelembembe (Mokele-mbembe bichir)
    -Polypterus polli (Marble bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus meridionalis (Southern bichir)
    -Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir)
    -Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)

    7. Republic of Rwanda
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)

    Eastern Africa
    1. Burundi
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)

    2. Ethiopia
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus meridionales (Southern bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

    3. Kenya
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus meridionales (Southern bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)

    4. Tanzania
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    -Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)

    5. Uganda
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

    Southern Africa
    1. Angola
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)

    2. Zambia
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
    -Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)
    ------------------------------------------
    Polypterids Breeding Season

    -Erpetoichthys Calabaricus = September to October
    -Polypterus Bichir Bichir = November to March
    -Polypterus Bichir Lapradei = November to July
    -Polypterus Congicus = October to May
    -Polypterus Endlicheri = November to March
    -Polypterus Ansorgii = No records
    -Polypterus Delhezi = November to April
    -Polypterus Polli = November to April
    -Polypterus Palmas Palmas = No records
    -Polypterus Palmas Beuttikoferi = No records
    -Polypterus Senegalus Senegalus = November to March
    -Polypterus Senegalus Meridionales = No records
    -Polypterus Mokelembembe = October to May
    -Polypterus Tuegelsi = No records
    -Polypterus Retropinnis = November to April
    -Polypterus Ornatipinnis = October to May
    -Polypterus Weeksii = October to May
    ------------------------------------------
    Ever wonder the native names of our beloved Polypterids came from their respected countries in Africa? Here are the list, not complete but just what I know for now. There are probably more that I still don't know about.

    -Polypterus ansorgii
    Sadjegé - Guinea
    Saié - Guinea-Bissau
    Kouagna - Mali
    Gondo - Mali
    Adagba - Nigeria
    Akata - Nigeria
    Gwando - Nigeria
    Kusakpa - Nigeria

    -Polypterus endlicheri
    Khotum - Benin
    Nigbo - Benin
    Oli - Benin
    Kuilwaafo - Burkina Faso
    Sajige - Burkina Faso
    Ake - Cameroon
    Bangaw - Cameroon
    Bange - Cameroon
    Garza - Cameroon
    Gondo - Cameroon
    Nakerla - Cameroon
    Robaï - Cameroon
    Wange - Cameroon
    Tsodou - Cameroon
    Gong mofol - Chad
    Gouon - Chad
    Gong agusum - Chad
    Gong mapual - Chad
    Gong mopol - Chad
    Sadjegé - Guinea
    Deka - Ghana
    Norsta - Ghana
    Sangmeki - Ghana
    Sanmeki - Ghana
    Tsamina - Ghana
    Tsimina - Ghana
    Saié - Guinea-Bissau
    Saieu - Guinea-Bissau
    Zèpô - Ivory Coast
    Nagir - Kenya
    Agada - Nigeria
    Akata - Nigeria
    Adagba - Nigeria
    Gwando - Nigeria
    Gwando dua - Nigeria
    Kufana - Nigeria
    Kusakpa - Nigeria
    Robai - Nigeria
    Abshire - Sudan
    Abushir - Sudan
    Agwer - Sudan
    Emsir - Sudan
    Dabib el hut - Sudan
    Ding - Sudan
    Gbaranga - Sudan
    Juath - Sudan
    Kuku - Sudan
    Otwel - Sudan

    -Polypterus congicus
    Elonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Ilolonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Mbuni - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Mokunga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Mokututa - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Nkungi angandu - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Weuma - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Konga - Republic of Congo
    Djokala - Republic of Congo
    Munkunga - Zambia

    -Polypterus bichir bichir
    Ake - Cameroon
    Am'korkor - Chad
    Gong dongââl - Chad
    Gong gââl - Chad
    Gong koïn - Chad
    Abushir - Egypt
    Tsimina - Ghana
    Nagir - Kenya
    Adagba - Nigeria
    Akata - Nigeria
    Gwando - Nigeria
    Kusakpa Nigeria
    Abshire - Sudan
    Agwer - Sudan
    Dabib el hut - Sudan
    Ding - Sudan
    Emsir - Sudan
    Gbaranga - Sudan
    Juath - Sudan
    Kuku - Sudan
    Otwel - Sudan

    -Polypterus bichir lapradei
    Ake - Cameroon
    Khotum - Benin
    Kuilwaafo - Burkina Faso
    Sajige - Burkina Faso
    Ake - Cameroon
    Am'korkor - Chad
    Sannka - Gambia
    Sadjegé - Guinea
    Saié - Guinea-Bissau
    Adagba - Nigeria
    Akata - Nigeria
    Gwando - Nigeria
    Kusakpa Nigeria
    Khâb - Senegal
    Abshire - Sudan
    Agwer - Sudan
    Dabib el hut - Sudan
    Ding - Sudan
    Emsir - Sudan
    Gbaranga - Sudan
    Juath - Sudan
    Kuku - Sudan
    Otwel - Sudan

    -Polypterus delhezi
    Nkonga - Democratic Republic of Congo

    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus
    Khotum - Benin
    Kuilwaafo -Burkina Faso
    Sajige - Burkina Faso
    Ake - Cameroon
    Gong kakerte - Chad
    Gong kekerte - Chad
    Kambanioka - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Otel - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Abushir - Egypt
    Sannka - Gambia
    Sayo - Gambia
    Adeke - Ghana
    Alidekae - Ghana
    Deka - Ghana
    Sanmeki - Ghana
    Sadjegé - Guinea
    Saié - Guinea-Bissau
    Nagir - Kenya
    Nagiri - Kenya
    Adagba - Nigeria
    Agada - Nigeria
    Akata - Nigeria
    Gwando - Nigeria
    Kusakpa - Nigeria
    Khâb - Senegal
    Khabé - Senegal
    Jeyei - Sierra Leone
    Keskla - Sierra Leone
    Keskia - Sierra Leone
    Kutenkellie - Sierra Leone
    Abshire - Sudan
    Abshir - Sudan
    Agwer - Sudan
    Emsir - Sudan
    Dabib el hut - Sudan
    Ding - Sudan
    Gbaranga - Sudan
    Juath - Sudan
    Kuku - Sudan
    Otwell - Sudan
    Dégé - Togo
    Mtonta - Uganda
    Otell - Uganda

    -Polypterus senegalus meridionalis
    Kambanioka - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Otel - Democratic Republic of Congo

    -Polypterus palmas palmas
    Adeke - Ghana
    Sadjegé - Guinea
    Saié - Guinea-Bissau

    -Polypterus palmas buettikoferi
    Sadjegé - Guinea

    -Polypterus polli
    Akwa - Cameroon
    Boonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Elonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Shongonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Songonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Foonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Nkonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Igogo - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Konga - Republic of Congo

    -Polypterus retropinnis
    Khotum - Benin
    Akwa - Cameroon
    Adeke - Ghana
    Mopolu - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Mokuta - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Monga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Moonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
    Moposse - Democratic Republic of Congo

    -Polypterus mokelembembe
    ?

    -Polypterus weeksii
    Mokoi - Democratic Republic of Congo

    -Polypterus ornatipinnis
    Mimbambala - Angola
    Mumbambala - Angola
    Tshikanga - Angola
    Akwa - Cameroon
    Konga - Republic of Congo
    Mukunga - Republic of Congo
    Mukungo - Republic of Congo
    Nkunga ya moja bato - Republic of Congo
    Samaki magamba - Tanzania

    -Polypterus teugelsi
    Akwa - Cameroon
    Mobangobe - Cameroon

    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus
    Mujanjé - Cameroon
    Munjonjô - Cemeroon
    Muyonjô - Cameroon
    Adagba - Nigeria
    Agbaroko - Nigeria
    Bano - Nigeria
    Korotuwugboro - Nigeria
    Lakisa - Nigeria
    Ogboro - Nigeria
    Woyi - Nigeria
    ---------------------------------------
    For the new Polypterid keepers that need to update on the names of known Polypterids of today. Many forums, websites, books and google search, will show you the old literature. Many experience bichir keeper are also not aware that in 2010, there were some changes. So here are the list of currently known Polypterids.

    Superclass: Osteichthyes

    Class: Actinopterygii

    Subclass: Chondrostei
    Cladistia

    Order: Polypteriformes

    Family: Polypteridae

    Genera: Erpetoichthys
    Polypterus

    Genus: Erpetoichthys
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish/Reedfish)

    Genus: Polypterus
    Bichir group:
    -Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
    --Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir/ Laprade's bichir)
    -Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir/Congo bichir)

    Endlicheri group:
    -Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir/ Tiger bichir)
    -Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)

    Senegalus group:
    -Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Grey bichir/ Senegal bichir/ Cuvier bichir)
    --Polypterus senegalus meridionalis (Southern bichir/ Meridionalis bichir)
    -Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir/ Palmas bichir)
    --Polypterus palmas beuttikoferi (Golddust bichir/ Beuttikofer's bichir)
    -Polypterus polli (Marble bichir/ Poll's bichir)
    -Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir/ Barred bichir)

    Weeksii group
    -Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir/ Fathead bichir/ Weeks's bichir)
    -Polypterus ornatippinis (Ornate bichir)
    -Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir/Zaire green bichir)
    -Polypterus teugelsi (Cross river bichir/ Tuegels' bichir/ Cameroon bichir)
    -Polypterus mokelebhembe (West african bichir/ Mokele-bhembe bichir)

    Others from genus Polypterus that have no valid scientific names yet and possible a new unknown species, subspecies or just a variant of a known species.

    -Polypterus sp. "Dabola" (Dabola bichir)
    People used debate if they are wild natural occurring hybrid or not. Study are now on going, as they are separate species that connects the Bichir group and Endlicheri group. This polypterus would be group together with the Bichir group though. Due to its similar holotype and with DNA that is closer to Polypterus bichir lapradei.

    -Polypterus sp. "Faranah"
    Do not confuse this with Polypterus bichir lapradei "Faranah". Yet another unknown species from the Bichir group. Used to be called as Polypterus sp. "Dabola" before as it was one of a contaminant. Another possible transitional species that connects the Endlicheri group from Bichir group. Possible even more earlier form compare to Polypterus sp. "Dabola".

    -Polypterus sp. "Guinea"
    Was also a contaminant from Polypterus sp. "Dabola", yet this one has the holotype from the Endlicheri group.

    -Polypterus sp. "Tinkisso"
    Another unknown Polypterid that has the holotype from the endlicheri group.

    -Polypterus sp. "Koloton"/Polypterus sp. "Koliba".
    Both of these Polypterids are just probably the same Polypterid variants, only caught in different locations. Possible a subspecies from a Polypterus bichir complex. Would be better if this two species are called Polypterus sp. cf. "lapradei". Both are part of the Guinea lapradei variant or better yet, Western type lapradei.

    -Polypterus sp. aff. "Lapradei"
    This bichir is posible a crossbreed of Polypterus bichir bichir and Polypterus bichir lapradei. Or just a Polypterus bichir lapradei variant.

    -Polypterus sp. "Onigo"
    This particular polypterid is the first ever recorded of a Polypterus bichir lapradei on the east side of Africa. This is just a Polypterus bichir lapradei.

    -Polypterus sp. cf. "Palmas"
    An unknown Polypterid that resembles from a Palmas complex but with only 6-7 dorsal spines and are set way back. Similar to Polypterus polli, Polypterus retropinnis and polypterus teugelsi. It also have similar color to Polypterus teugelsi but body of palmas complex and with banding similar to Polypterus palmas.

    -Polypterus sp. "Golddust"
    Just a patternless variant of Polypterus palmas beuttikoferi.

    -Polypterus sp. "Liberia"
    Just a variant of Polypterus Palmas Palmas. However the stripes are set vertically compare to Polypterus palmas palmas that the stripes are set on an angle.

    -Polypterus sp. aff. "Endlicheri" (Golden bichir)
    A possible subspecies of Polypterus endlicheri yet to be describe.

    -Polypterus sp. aff. "Congicus" (Gesilas bichir)
    Possible a subspecies of Polypterus congicus yet to be described. Also have some thought, that this could be the one they called Polypterus bichir katangae.

    -Polypterus sp. "Cotto"
    No further info on this one. Possible a new species

    -Polypterus sp. "Nigeria"
    Almost similar to Polypterus sp. "Dabola", but found in Nigeria. With different headshape and pattern.

    -Polypterus sp. "Lagone"
    Just an old name of Polypterus bichir bichir found in Lagone River, Cameroon. When Polypterus bichir bichir was not introduced yet to the hobby.

    There are probably more "spp" or unknown species out there. Just place them in the comment if I don't know or not aware of.
    ------------------------------------------
    Living and extinct Polypterids (Polypteriformes)
    Family: †Uncertain? (Incomplete polypterid fossils)

    genus: † Dagetella (***et and Meunier 1992)
    -† Dagetella sudamericana - Lower Creta locality: South America: Bolivia; Brazil; Afrika: Niger

    genus: † Latinopollia (Meunier & ***et, 1998)
    -† Latinopollia suarezi - Creta locality: Pjacha Pata Bolivia

    genus: † Serenoichthys (Dutheil, 1999)
    -† Serenoichthys kemkemensis - Lower Creta locality: Africa; Antarctica; Argentina; Australia: New South Wales, AU

    genus: † Bartschichthys - Lower Creta locality: South America: Bolivia; Brazil; Afrika: Niger
    -† Bartschichthys arnoulti
    -† Bartschichthys napatensis
    -† Bartschichthys tubularis

    genus: † Sudania - Lower Creta locality: Wadi Milk In Becetem Formation, Sudan, Niger
    -†Sudania gracilis
    -†Sudania oblonga

    genus: † Saharaichthys - Lower Creta locality: Africa
    -†Saharaichthys nigeriensis
    -†Saharaichthys africanus

    genus: † Sainthilaria - Palaeogen locality: Tanzania, Africa
    -†Sainthilaria falciformis
    -†Sainthilaria intermedia
    -†Sainthilaria beccussiformis
    -†Sainthilaria elongata
    -†Sainthilaria grandis

    genus: † Inbecetemia - Lower Creta locality: Wadi Milk Fm.; In Becetem Formation; Sudan; Niger
    -†Inbecetemia torta
    -†Inbecetemia tortissima

    genus: † Nagaia - Lower Creta locality: Wadi Milk Fm.; In Becetem Formation; Sudan; Niger
    -†Nagaia extrema

    >Family: Polypteridae

    genus: † Serenichthys
    -†Serenichthys kernkemensis
    ~dwarf polypterus

    genus: Erpetoichthys (Smith, 1865)
    -Erpetoichthys calabaricus ~ropefish/reedfish (Smith, 1865)

    genus: † Bawitius
    -†Bawitius bartheli (exPolypterus bartheli)
    ~giant polypterus (Schaal 1984) Creta locality: Bahariya Formation, in the Bahariya Oasis of western Egypt

    genus: Polypterus (Lacépède, 1803)
    -†Polypterus dageti
    ~daget's bichir (Gayet and Meunier, 1996) Lower Creta locality: Becetem Formation, Niger
    -†Polypterus sudanensis
    ~sudan bichir (Werner and Gayet, 1998- Lower Creta locality: Becetem Formation, Niger
    -†Polypterus faraou
    ~farou bichir (Otero & Vignaud & Brunet, 2006) Miocene locality: western Djourab, Chad
    -Polypterus ansorgii
    ~guinean bichir (Boulenger, 1910)
    -Polypterus endlicheri
    ~saddled bichir/tiger bichir (Heckel, 1847)
    -Polypterus congicus)
    ~giant bichir/congo bichir (Boulenger, 1898)
    -Polypterus bichir (Lacépède, 1803)
    ---(Polypterus bichir bichir)
    ~nile bichir (Lacépède, 1803)
    ---(Polypterus bichir lapradei)
    ~niger river bichir/laprade's bichir (Steindachner, 1869)
    -Polypterus delhezi
    ~armored bichir/barred bichir (Boulenger, 1899)
    -Polypterus senegalus (Cuvier, 1829)
    ---(Polypterus senegalus senegalus
    ~gray bichir/senegal bichir/curvier bichir/nigerian bichir (Cuvier, 1829)
    -(Polypterus senegalus meridionalis)
    ~meridionalis bichir/southern bichir? (Poll, 1941)
    -Polypterus palmas (Ayres 1850)
    ---(Polypterus palmas palmas)
    ~shortfin bichir/palmas bichir (Ayres, 1850)
    ---(Polypterus palmas buettikoferi)
    ~golddust bichir/buettikofer's bichir (Steindachner, 1891)
    -Polypterus polli
    ~marble bichir/poll's bichir (Gosse, 1988)
    -Polypterus retropinnis
    ~retro bichir/zaire green bichir (Vaillant, 1899)
    -Polypterus mokelembembe
    ~west african bichir/mokele-mbembe bichir (Schliewen & Schäfer, 2006)
    -Polypterus weeksii
    ~fathead bichir/mottled bichir (Boulenger, 1898)
    -Polypterus ornatipinnis
    ~ornate bichir (Boulenger, 1902)
    -Polypterus teugelsi
    ~cross river bichir/cameroon bichir tuegels' bichir (Britz, 2004)
    ------------------------------------------
    Ever wonder how they gave scientific names to Polypterids or where they got their names from? Here you go, did a little bit of research. Just correct me if I'm wrong. I placed the two genus of the Ropefish as of right now both are being use.

    -Erpetoichthys = Herpet(reptile)+ichthys(fish): Meaning, "reptile fish." Refers to the reptilian look or snake like appearance.
    -Calamoichthys = Calamus (quill or spadix of reed) Refers to the ganoid scales that resemble the flowering spadix of reeds. Hence the name reedfish.
    -Calabaricus = Calabar (named after Calabar River in Nigeria)+icus (usually added to the name of the place where it came from.
    -Polypterus = Poly(many)+pteron(wing): Meaning, "many wings." Refers to the multiple hard dorsal spines and finlets of the bichir.
    -Bichir = The word bichir came from the word "Abu Shir." An Arabic dialect refers to any fish in the Nile River, Egypt that resembles a spiny armoured fish. Was later mispronounced by French naturalist. They thought the "A" was referred to a single fish. Which is use to refers by English to describe a single object. So they only thought about "Bu Shir". Thus we end up with the word "Bichir" or else we probably have the word "Abichir".
    -Lapradei = Named after Émile Pinet-Laprade. Former governor of Senegal from 1822-1869. To honor his death the year this fish was describe.
    -Congicus = Congo (named after Congo river basin)+icus (usually added to the name of where it came from)
    -Endlicheri = Named after a botanist, Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher. Who discovered this fish in the fish collection of Natural History Museum in Vienna.
    -Ansorgii = Named after William John Ansorge. A physician and zoologist who collected in Africa.
    -Delhezi = Named after Paul Delhez. His collection and field observation helped prepared Boulenger's book of Congo fishes.
    -Polli = Named after Max Fernand Leon Poll. A Belgian ichthyologist. He proposed the name, but did not describe the fish. The name was supposed to be Polypterus palmas congicus but the name congicus was already occupied by Polypterus endlicheri congicus at that time.
    -Palmas = Named after Cape Palmas. A locality in Liberia.
    -Beuttikoferi = Name after Dr. Johann Büttikofer. A Swiss zoologist, best known as a "Father of Liberian Natural History."
    -Senegalus = Named after Senegal river basin.
    -Meridionalis = Meridies (south)+aris. Meridional. Meaning, native to southern area or a creature of the southern area.
    -Mokelembembe = Named after a cryptic creature called "Mokele-mbembe" in the Congo basin that was thought to be a sauropod. A type of long neck dinosaur. We normally refers to dinosaurs as old, so it was given that name. Mokele-mbembe was thought to be existing today in our modern times. The name was given to this fish as Polypterus mokelembebe, considered as the sister group to all Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish). Or the grand father of ray-finned fish.
    -Tuegelsi = Named after Guy Tuegels. Curator of fishes at the Royal Museum of Central Africa, for his “myriad influential contributions to the systematics of African freshwater fishes”
    -Retropinnis = Retro(back)+pinnis or pinna(fins). Referring to the dorsal fins of the fish that are set way back of the body.
    -Ornatipinnis = Ornatus or Ornate (decorated with complex pattern)+pinnis or pinna(fins). Referring to the well decorated patterns of this fish on all fins.
    -Weeksii = Named after Rev. J. H. Weeks. He collected this fish on his mission station at Monsembe upper Congo River, Zaire.
    ------------------------------------------
    Ok time to learn the proper way of writing latin/scientific names of Polypterids or any fish in particular. Also the proper way of adding the location it was caught from. As many seems are still confuse and been asking repeated questions on what's the differences of this certain fish to this certain fish. Even though they are just the same fish.

    A good example of many people's mistakes that will confuse many are when they wrote down:
    -Dabola lap
    -Dabola endli
    -Sp. dabola.
    To many this is just similar species. However, they are actually not. So it's best to write them down properly to prevent confusion.

    Dabola lap should be Polypterus bichir lapradei "Dabola" or lap "dabola" for short. Which is a lapradei caught in Dabola. It is not an endlicheri nor sp. dabola. It's a lapradei caught somewhere in dabola. Same thing with Dabola endli, it's should be Polypterus endlicheri "Dabola" or endli "dabola for short. It's an actual endlicheri caught somewhere in Dabola area. Now for the sp. dabola. It's should be Polypterus sp. "dabola" just sp. "dabola". It's not an endlicheri, it's not a lapradei. But an unknown species caught somewhere in Dabola. That's why it was labeled "sp." or "species". Always place the location where it was caught from at the end of the latin name. Regardless you place the full latin name or without the genus name. As long as you place the location it was caught in "quotation marks".

    Another example would be koliba lap. Many people been asking me, "What's are the difference between Koliba lap and sp. koliba?". They are just the same fish. If people or seller just write down the proper latin names this will stop many of the confusion. So it's best to write it down as Polypterus sp. "koliba" or if you want it short. Sp. "koliba". Or best yet, Polypterus bichir lapradei "Koliba" or Polypterus sp. cf. "Lapradei". Not just Koliba lap. Always place the location caught at the end. Yes sp. "koliba" is a western type lapradei but it's still place as unknown species.

    So normally we label them in Genus name first. Then the latin name that was given to that certain species. Fallowed by the location it was caught from in quotation marks.
    Genus: Polypterus
    Species: Endlicheri
    Location: "Tinkisso"
    Polypterus Endlicheri "Tinkisso" Or endli "tinkisso".

    If the species is unknown we normally place "sp.", "spec." which means "species". Then place the location it was caught from or the characteristic of the fish.
    -Polypterus sp. "Dabola"
    -Polypterus sp. "Golddust"
    -Polypterus sp. "Zaire Green"

    Example would be Polypterus sp. "Dabola". An unknown Polypterus found in Dabola area. Another example would be. Polypterus sp. "goldust". Meaning, it's an unknown Polypterus that have some Gold dust characteristic or gold in general. However, we all know this was just a variant of Polypterus palmas beuttikoferi which now became the common name for this fish. Also another great example would be Polypterus sp. "Zaire green". They both place the location and the characteristic of the species. Meaning, an unknown Green looking polypterus in Zaire. Polypterus sp. "Zaire green" is actually now, Polypterus retropinnis.

    So if the unknown species looks similar to an existing species. We usually place "cf." means confer or compare. Another one is "aff.", "affin." means affinis or affinity. Using this two actually confuses some people on how cf. and aff. works.
    -Polypterus sp. cf. "Lapradei"
    -Polypterus sp. cf. "Bichir"
    -Polypterus sp. cf. "Retropinnis" 'Pool Malebo.
    -Polypterus sp. aff. "Congicus"

    How "cf" works, would be comparing an unknown species to an existing species. This usually being use in the same group of Polypterus. So example would be Polypterus sp. cf. "lapradei". Means, an unknown Bichir complex that have similarities to a Polypterus bichir lapradei. This would be a good example of Polypterus sp. "Koliba", Polypterus sp. "Faranah" or any of the Western type Lapradei unknown variants in particular. Now with Polypterus sp. cf. "Bichir" would probably be a bit confusing. However, this normally applies to an unknown variants of Eastern type Lapradei. Since both Polypterus bichir bichir have similar marking to that many of the Eastern type lapradei. So this would refer to Polypterus sp. "Onigo" and Polypterus sp. "Yobe". Both are just Polypterus bichir Lapradei. Now with Polypterus sp. cf. "Retropinnis"'Pool Malebo". The location point is also added. So it means it's an unknown Polypterus that have similar look to a Polypterus retropinnis or a variant that is found in Pool Malebo. Another example would be Polypterus sp. cf. "Lapradei"'Koliba", which we already stated previously. Meaning it's an unknown bichir complex that looks similar to a Polypterus bichir Lapradai found in Koliba area.

    Now we go to on how "aff." works. "Aff." can be a bit tricky to use properly on unknown species. It's usually use to an unknown species that have similar characteristic to a known species but is thought to be a separate species. Example would be Polypterus sp. aff. "Congicus". This particular species was thought to be just a Polypterus Congicus in Lake Tanganyika in Zambia. However upon closer looks with more detail, it's thought to be a separate species but the markings are very closely the same. Or these two species are more related to each other. That's why it was labels as sp. aff. "Congicus" as it's the closest known species that can be compare to Polypterus Congicus.

    Now hope for the new Polypterid Fanatics and those that are still learning would clear some confusion. For those that already know, please feel free to add or correct my mistakes.

    Happy Polypterids Keeping, Polypterus Fanatics!

    Work and research conducted by Master Earl Pigar.

    PolypterusPT