Difference between sp. dabola, koliba, koloton

[Caveden]

Seeing more sp. dabolas in the market and posts nowadays. Sp. dabola and endlicheri, aren’t they both the same? What the difference?
Same goes for polypterus bichir “lapardei”. I cannot tell the difference between sp. koliba and sp. koloton lapardeis. I can only tell the difference between Nigerian lapardei and kolibas due to the head shape, Nigerians have a larger, flatter head shape, and perhaps a skinner build?
Anyone can help me to identify better? Thanks! Picture below of my Guinean endli to capture more attention

giseok jung Hao Polypterus_36

 

[Hao]

Regarding the koloton and koliba. Those are basically the same thing now days. They used to have minor “differences” but over time African exporters started to mix and matching them. So now it doesn’t matter anymore just pretend they are the same thing to make things simple.

As for the sp. “Dabola”, I actually hate talking about this since it’s kind of controversial. But what I’m about to say it’s just my opinion and how I see it. I will provide examples of what I consider are sp. “Dabola” at the end.
Buckle your seatbelt, things are about to get confusing…

For starters, you might be confusing Endlicheri from “Dabola” and sp. “Dabola”. Those two are not the same. Sp. “Dabola” refers to an undescribed species from “Dabola” somewhat like sp. “Nigeria” (that’s another topic). As to what an sp. “Dabola” is, nobody can say for sure since there is not enough scientific studies done on them. For the longest time (even now), Japanese have been calling them Lapen (wild hybrid of lap and endli). So there are some people who believe sp. “Dabola” is a wild hybrid between Guinean Polypterus endlicheri and Guinean Polypterus bichir (lapradei). There are also others who think they are their own species. Anyway Sp. “Dabola” are actually quite rare, as you might or might not find one mixed in an import of Guinean Endlicheri/Lapradei. They almost never come in as a batch of “sp. Dabola”. Side note that pisses me off is the Nigerian exporters who recently (probably since 2020/2021) started exporting sp. “Nigeria” as sp. “Dabola”/ Dabola endlicheri which adds fuel to the confusion.

The term sp. “Dabola” was started by Toyin of Rehoboth Aquatics back in early 2008. Originally, he said that they have 14-15 finlets but over time I have found that they have similiar finlet count like Endlicheri (11-13 usually). Btw Finlet count is not reliable when it comes to IDing bichirs .
Originally people often said sp. Dabola has a Lapradei head with endli body/markings.
But personally I feel like they have their own headshape that closer resembles Endlicheri. Their body and markings also typically resemble more of Endlicheri. The main difference I’ve noticed that sets them apart from Endlicheri is their distinct facial markings/head markings which resembles more of a Lapradei. They also have colors more similiar to Lapradei. Personally I consider those with lapradei head and endlicheri markings more of an oddball/unique Guinean Polypterus bichir (Lapradei).
Basically to me, the very first few so called sp. Dabola back in 2008 were just Lapradei (I’m sure there were some true sp. “Dabola” mixed in the batch too).
Again, this is just how I usually identify them and what I consider sp. “Dabola”.
If in the future, they actually get genetic testing done on multiple sp. “Dabola”, as well as multiple lapradei with endlicheri stripes, and they turn out to be hybrids then I guess it’ll be more confusing. There’s a high chance of sp. Dabola being a wild hybrid based on the captive bred Lap x Endli I’ve seen but who knows. I’ve also seen CB lap x endli that resemble Ghana endlicheri too…
An interesting thing I want to note is Endlicheri from Ghana look very similiar to sp. “Dabola” since they generally have heavy facial marking/head markings as well. But in the future, Ghana endlicheri potentially could be their own species since giseok jung did some DNA testing on them and found that they are quite different in comparison to the Endlicheri population.

Hopefully I didn't make any writing errors haha. But yeah seeing the photos below should help clear it up a bit too.
anyway here are bunch of photos of what I consider true sp. “Dabola” (few of them were my old fish, most of them belong to other bichir keepers in Asia)
Keep in mind, there are also minor variation among sp. "Dabola" in terms of color and pattern.

 

[Caveden]

Regarding the koloton and koliba. Those are basically the same thing now days. They used to have minor “differences” but over time African exporters started to mix and matching them. So now it doesn’t matter anymore just pretend they are the same thing to make things simple.

As for the sp. “Dabola”, I actually hate talking about this since it’s kind of controversial. But what I’m about to say it’s just my opinion and how I see it. I will provide examples of what I consider are sp. “Dabola” at the end.
Buckle your seatbelt, things are about to get confusing…

For starters, you might be confusing Endlicheri from “Dabola” and sp. “Dabola”. Those two are not the same. Sp. “Dabola” refers to an undescribed species from “Dabola” somewhat like sp. “Nigeria” (that’s another topic). As to what an sp. “Dabola” is, nobody can say for sure since there is not enough scientific studies done on them. For the longest time (even now), Japanese have been calling them Lapen (wild hybrid of lap and endli). So there are some people who believe sp. “Dabola” is a wild hybrid between Guinean Polypterus endlicheri and Guinean Polypterus bichir (lapradei). There are also others who think they are their own species. Anyway Sp. “Dabola” are actually quite rare, as you might or might not find one mixed in an import of Guinean Endlicheri/Lapradei. They almost never come in as a batch of “sp. Dabola”. Side note that pisses me off is the Nigerian exporters who recently (probably since 2020/2021) started exporting sp. “Nigeria” as sp. “Dabola”/ Dabola endlicheri which adds fuel to the confusion.

The term sp. “Dabola” was started by Toyin of Rehoboth Aquatics back in early 2008. Originally, he said that they have 14-15 finlets but over time I have found that they have similiar finlet count like Endlicheri (11-13 usually). Btw Finlet count is not reliable when it comes to IDing bichirs .
Originally people often said sp. Dabola has a Lapradei head with endli body/markings.
But personally I feel like they have their own headshape that closer resembles Endlicheri. Their body and markings also typically resemble more of Endlicheri. The main difference I’ve noticed that sets them apart from Endlicheri is their distinct facial markings/head markings which resembles more of a Lapradei. They also have colors more similiar to Lapradei. Personally I consider those with lapradei head and endlicheri markings more of an oddball/unique Guinean Polypterus bichir (Lapradei).
Basically to me, the very first few so called sp. Dabola back in 2008 were just Lapradei (I’m sure there were some true sp. “Dabola” mixed in the batch too).
Again, this is just how I usually identify them and what I consider sp. “Dabola”.
If in the future, they actually get genetic testing done on multiple sp. “Dabola”, as well as multiple lapradei with endlicheri stripes, and they turn out to be hybrids then I guess it’ll be more confusing. There’s a high chance of sp. Dabola being a wild hybrid based on the captive bred Lap x Endli I’ve seen but who knows. I’ve also seen CB lap x endli that resemble Ghana endlicheri too…
An interesting thing I want to note is Endlicheri from Ghana look very similiar to sp. “Dabola” since they generally have heavy facial marking/head markings as well. But in the future, Ghana endlicheri potentially could be their own species since giseok jung did some DNA testing on them and found that they are quite different in comparison to the Endlicheri population.

Hopefully I didn't make any writing errors haha. But yeah seeing the photos below should help clear it up a bit too.
anyway here are bunch of photos of what I consider true sp. “Dabola” (few of them were my old fish, most of them belong to other bichir keepers in Asia)
Keep in mind, there are also minor variation among sp. "Dabola" in terms of color and pattern.
View attachment 1541642
View attachment 1541643
View attachment 1541644
View attachment 1541645
View attachment 1541646
View attachment 1541647
View attachment 1541648
View attachment 1541649
View attachment 1541650
View attachment 1541651
View attachment 1541652
View attachment 1541653
View attachment 1541654
View attachment 1541655
View attachment 1541656

Thanks a lot, this clears up a lot of doubts I had. So in reality sp. dabola is most likely a WC polypterus bichir “lapardei” x endlicheri (lapen), and dabola endli is just a Guinean endli found in the dabola region.
yeah, I can’t distinguish between koloton and koliba, I’ve always wondered how experts do it, I guess they can’t really too

 

[Hao]

Thanks a lot, this clears up a lot of doubts I had. So in reality sp. dabola is most likely a WC polypterus bichir “lapardei” x endlicheri (lapen), and dabola endli is just a Guinean endli found in the dabola region.
yeah, I can’t distinguish between koloton and koliba, I’ve always wondered how experts do it, I guess they can’t really too

Yeah the possibility is high but can't say for sure.
As for the koloton/koliba, there used to be "clear" rules to differentiate them but eventually Kolotons were imported as Koliba and vice versa so it got super confusing and most of us have just concluded they are the same variant despite them being from different rivers.

 

[Caveden]

Yeah the possibility is high but can't say for sure.
As for the koloton/koliba, there used to be "clear" rules to differentiate them but eventually Kolotons were imported as Koliba and vice versa so it got super confusing and most of us have just concluded they are the same variant despite them being from different rivers.

Hi, just another question that came to me, now that Lawrence passed up some sp. Nigeria and dabola to JZX.

I know that sp.dabola are most likely WC specimens of lap x endli, lapens.
what about sp. Nigeria? Are they also WC lap x endlis? But from a diff region, Nigeria instead of dabola? Or are they just polypterus bichir ‘lapradei’ ?

I think you saw, hilmi went to ask you if it was cnfm dabola
I wanted to buy the congi… then I noticed the under gill plate had bichir worms. Didn’t want to risk my tank getting infected so I didn’t buy.

 

[Hao]

Hi, just another question that came to me, now that Lawrence passed up some sp. Nigeria and dabola to JZX.

I know that sp.dabola are most likely WC specimens of lap x endli, lapens.
what about sp. Nigeria? Are they also WC lap x endlis? But from a diff region, Nigeria instead of dabola? Or are they just polypterus bichir ‘lapradei’ ?

I think you saw, hilmi went to ask you if it was cnfm dabola
I wanted to buy the congi… then I noticed the under gill plate had bichir worms. Didn’t want to risk my tank getting infected so I didn’t buy.

View attachment 1554255

Some Polypterus sp. "Nigeria" are probably natural hybrids. Some are probably new variant of Polypterus bichir "lapradei". Those sp. "Nigeria" always come in mixed (generally different looking from one another). Most of the ones I've seen look like variant of lapradei. Not true sp. like Sp. Dabola. Only some of them out there, I would consider true sp. "Nigeria". But yeah sp. "Nigeria" is a really broad term, which would include anything that doesn't look like a typical Nigerian endlicheri or typical Nigerian lapradei.

side notes:
Polypterus sp. "Dabola" describes a specific population of Polypterus within Guinea.
There are other sp. in Guinea (besides sp. "Dabola"), which we could call sp. "Guinea".
Koloton/Koliba used to be referred to as sp. as well since they did not look like typical Guinean Lapradei or Guinean Endlicheri but over time we accepted that they are probably a variant of Polypterus bichir.

 

[Hao]

Regarding the koloton and koliba. Those are basically the same thing now days. They used to have minor “differences” but over time African exporters started to mix and matching them. So now it doesn’t matter anymore just pretend they are the same thing to make things simple.

As for the sp. “Dabola”, I actually hate talking about this since it’s kind of controversial. But what I’m about to say it’s just my opinion and how I see it. I will provide examples of what I consider are sp. “Dabola” at the end.
Buckle your seatbelt, things are about to get confusing…

For starters, you might be confusing Endlicheri from “Dabola” and sp. “Dabola”. Those two are not the same. Sp. “Dabola” refers to an undescribed species from “Dabola” somewhat like sp. “Nigeria” (that’s another topic). As to what an sp. “Dabola” is, nobody can say for sure since there is not enough scientific studies done on them. For the longest time (even now), Japanese have been calling them Lapen (wild hybrid of lap and endli). So there are some people who believe sp. “Dabola” is a wild hybrid between Guinean Polypterus endlicheri and Guinean Polypterus bichir (lapradei). There are also others who think they are their own species. Anyway Sp. “Dabola” are actually quite rare, as you might or might not find one mixed in an import of Guinean Endlicheri/Lapradei. They almost never come in as a batch of “sp. Dabola”. Side note that pisses me off is the Nigerian exporters who recently (probably since 2020/2021) started exporting sp. “Nigeria” as sp. “Dabola”/ Dabola endlicheri which adds fuel to the confusion.

The term sp. “Dabola” was started by Toyin of Rehoboth Aquatics back in early 2008. Originally, he said that they have 14-15 finlets but over time I have found that they have similiar finlet count like Endlicheri (11-13 usually). Btw Finlet count is not reliable when it comes to IDing bichirs .
Originally people often said sp. Dabola has a Lapradei head with endli body/markings.
But personally I feel like they have their own headshape that closer resembles Endlicheri. Their body and markings also typically resemble more of Endlicheri. The main difference I’ve noticed that sets them apart from Endlicheri is their distinct facial markings/head markings which resembles more of a Lapradei. They also have colors more similiar to Lapradei. Personally I consider those with lapradei head and endlicheri markings more of an oddball/unique Guinean Polypterus bichir (Lapradei).
Basically to me, the very first few so called sp. Dabola back in 2008 were just Lapradei (I’m sure there were some true sp. “Dabola” mixed in the batch too).
Again, this is just how I usually identify them and what I consider sp. “Dabola”.
If in the future, they actually get genetic testing done on multiple sp. “Dabola”, as well as multiple lapradei with endlicheri stripes, and they turn out to be hybrids then I guess it’ll be more confusing. There’s a high chance of sp. Dabola being a wild hybrid based on the captive bred Lap x Endli I’ve seen but who knows. I’ve also seen CB lap x endli that resemble Ghana endlicheri too…
An interesting thing I want to note is Endlicheri from Ghana look very similiar to sp. “Dabola” since they generally have heavy facial marking/head markings as well. But in the future, Ghana endlicheri potentially could be their own species since giseok jung did some DNA testing on them and found that they are quite different in comparison to the Endlicheri population.

Hopefully I didn't make any writing errors haha. But yeah seeing the photos below should help clear it up a bit too.
anyway here are bunch of photos of what I consider true sp. “Dabola” (few of them were my old fish, most of them belong to other bichir keepers in Asia)
Keep in mind, there are also minor variation among sp. "Dabola" in terms of color and pattern.
View attachment 1541642
View attachment 1541643
View attachment 1541644
View attachment 1541645
View attachment 1541646
View attachment 1541647
View attachment 1541648
View attachment 1541649
View attachment 1541650
View attachment 1541651
View attachment 1541652
View attachment 1541653
View attachment 1541654
View attachment 1541655
View attachment 1541656

Just thought I’d add some more examples of perfect/beautiful adult specimens (55+ cm) of Polypterus sp. “Dabola” from hobbyist in China. Some of these were shared on my Instagram story so I just screenshot it.

 

[Caveden]

Just thought I’d add some more examples of perfect/beautiful adult specimens (55+ cm) of Polypterus sp. “Dabola” from hobbyist in China. Some of these were shared on my Instagram story so I just screenshot it.

View attachment 1554256

View attachment 1554257

View attachment 1554258

View attachment 1554259

definitely have amazing markings. love their flat headshape as well.

 

[Caveden]

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

 

[Caveden]

---------------------------------------

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 (***et and Meunier, 1996) Lower Creta locality: Becetem Formation, Niger

-†Polypterus sudanensis

~sudan bichir (Werner and ***et, 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)