You made me feel old for a second there, lmao
PBB from Chad
- Thread starter Alexkoj
- Start date
These are not my pictures. I found the online and they are credited by a ¨WashyWashy¨ i cannot remember if any of you posted this already?
This is a great thread and i believe there is something to the ¨Turkana hype¨
This is a great thread and i believe there is something to the ¨Turkana hype¨
Comments by king El on turkana pbb :
Regarding Polypterus bichir bichir morphology in Turkana basin. To better understand their biology. We must first take a closer look on their environment on why such specimen have thicker bodies and some don’t. Some have spoony heads while some have bullet heads or whatever head shapes they have.
Lake Turkana itself have plenty of variations on shorelines. From marginal swamps, to deltas, sandy beach and high rocky shorelines. The main river that flows in Lake Turkana is the Omo river in the North which most of the water comes from. Another two more rivers that feeds the Lake Turkana are Turkwel River and Kerio River from the South East. The Northern part of Lake Turkana is mostly sand or muddy shorelines with some marginal swamps. These are closer to the Omo River Delta. The Northern areas are also where mainly the locals are and the tribal war are happening. These are the area where most Polypterus bichir bichir are being caught or any fishes in that matter. The Western area shoreline is at a lower elevation which is a vast dry dessert. Not really the best area to go after fishing due to vast dunes and fast strong winds. Not many of the locals would venture out to the Southern and Eastern areas as it’s a tourist spots and many are not being allowed in the area unless they work there. Also it’s not accessible as it got a high rocky shorelines. Not the best way to enter or come out either, when it’s infested with crocodiles. The outcrops are filled with deadly vipers and scorpions. Lake Turkana has the highest amount of Nile Crocodiles in the world.
Now back to the Polypterus bichir bichir morphology. We see some that are skinny, thick, spoon head, bullet head, super green, brownish etc. According to the McGill University researchers, lead by Emily Standen. A Polypterid biology can be altered by it’s environment that it lives in during its growing stage. These Polypterus bichir bichir from Omo River, Turkwel River, Kerio River and Lake Turkana are actually all related. Afterall, it’s called the Turkana basin. However, some of these Polypterus bichir bichir will look different from each other regardless if they are even siblings. It would just depends on which area of the Turkana basin they grew up. Most of the skinnier Polypterus bichir bichir are found in rivers, deltas and marginal swamps in Turkana basin. While the heavily bodies much thicker Polypterus bichir bichir are caught within the deeper areas of the Lake Turkana itself. One of the reason why these Polypterus bichir bichir in deltas, rivers, marginal swamps are much skinnier due to the fast flow of the current and shallow areas. They acquired a slimmer body build to slide through the flow of the currents and aquatic vegetations. Also giving them a quick dash when escaping predators. By forming an “S” shape and launch itself much quicker. Since the shallows have more predators. While those in the deeper areas of the lake have thicker bodies to withstand the pressure of the bottom of the lake. Since Polypterid are benthic swimmers. Meaning they need to stay at the bottom most of the time. Will only go to the surface to breath atmospheric air or to hunt. Also these deep dwelling Polypterus bichir bichir will eventually migrate up rivers to breed starting from November all the way to March. However, catching these Polypyerus bichir bichir are not easy and are often by-catch among fishermen when they fish. Even much harder to catch in the middle of the Lake. They are much more easier to collect in rivers. So for those Polypterus bichir bichir that stays in rivers, deltas and marginal swamp till its fully grown will not attain the thicker heavy body. For those however, that venture to the deeper areas of the Turkana basin will get the heavier thicker body as it grows. This does not just apply to Lake Turkana but to Lake Chad as well and other deeper areas. The heavier thicker spoony head can also happen in Lake Chad with deeper green color. While those found in rivers and deltas will have a much thinner body profile as many are commonly available. As for how the spoony head developed is still unclear. One theory is that to maximize it vacuum force to catch prey. Since most prey items in the lake are benthopelagic swimmers.
On the the difference between Chad and turkana :
It would be very hard to tell which is which especially if both were caught in the deep of both Lakes. Too many factors from both basins.
Regarding Polypterus bichir bichir morphology in Turkana basin. To better understand their biology. We must first take a closer look on their environment on why such specimen have thicker bodies and some don’t. Some have spoony heads while some have bullet heads or whatever head shapes they have.
Lake Turkana itself have plenty of variations on shorelines. From marginal swamps, to deltas, sandy beach and high rocky shorelines. The main river that flows in Lake Turkana is the Omo river in the North which most of the water comes from. Another two more rivers that feeds the Lake Turkana are Turkwel River and Kerio River from the South East. The Northern part of Lake Turkana is mostly sand or muddy shorelines with some marginal swamps. These are closer to the Omo River Delta. The Northern areas are also where mainly the locals are and the tribal war are happening. These are the area where most Polypterus bichir bichir are being caught or any fishes in that matter. The Western area shoreline is at a lower elevation which is a vast dry dessert. Not really the best area to go after fishing due to vast dunes and fast strong winds. Not many of the locals would venture out to the Southern and Eastern areas as it’s a tourist spots and many are not being allowed in the area unless they work there. Also it’s not accessible as it got a high rocky shorelines. Not the best way to enter or come out either, when it’s infested with crocodiles. The outcrops are filled with deadly vipers and scorpions. Lake Turkana has the highest amount of Nile Crocodiles in the world.
Now back to the Polypterus bichir bichir morphology. We see some that are skinny, thick, spoon head, bullet head, super green, brownish etc. According to the McGill University researchers, lead by Emily Standen. A Polypterid biology can be altered by it’s environment that it lives in during its growing stage. These Polypterus bichir bichir from Omo River, Turkwel River, Kerio River and Lake Turkana are actually all related. Afterall, it’s called the Turkana basin. However, some of these Polypterus bichir bichir will look different from each other regardless if they are even siblings. It would just depends on which area of the Turkana basin they grew up. Most of the skinnier Polypterus bichir bichir are found in rivers, deltas and marginal swamps in Turkana basin. While the heavily bodies much thicker Polypterus bichir bichir are caught within the deeper areas of the Lake Turkana itself. One of the reason why these Polypterus bichir bichir in deltas, rivers, marginal swamps are much skinnier due to the fast flow of the current and shallow areas. They acquired a slimmer body build to slide through the flow of the currents and aquatic vegetations. Also giving them a quick dash when escaping predators. By forming an “S” shape and launch itself much quicker. Since the shallows have more predators. While those in the deeper areas of the lake have thicker bodies to withstand the pressure of the bottom of the lake. Since Polypterid are benthic swimmers. Meaning they need to stay at the bottom most of the time. Will only go to the surface to breath atmospheric air or to hunt. Also these deep dwelling Polypterus bichir bichir will eventually migrate up rivers to breed starting from November all the way to March. However, catching these Polypyerus bichir bichir are not easy and are often by-catch among fishermen when they fish. Even much harder to catch in the middle of the Lake. They are much more easier to collect in rivers. So for those Polypterus bichir bichir that stays in rivers, deltas and marginal swamp till its fully grown will not attain the thicker heavy body. For those however, that venture to the deeper areas of the Turkana basin will get the heavier thicker body as it grows. This does not just apply to Lake Turkana but to Lake Chad as well and other deeper areas. The heavier thicker spoony head can also happen in Lake Chad with deeper green color. While those found in rivers and deltas will have a much thinner body profile as many are commonly available. As for how the spoony head developed is still unclear. One theory is that to maximize it vacuum force to catch prey. Since most prey items in the lake are benthopelagic swimmers.
On the the difference between Chad and turkana :
It would be very hard to tell which is which especially if both were caught in the deep of both Lakes. Too many factors from both basins.
Here’s my spoonheaded chad with a greenish hue. Who’s to say it won’t grow up to look like a Turkana? But jokes aside, I think both chads and Turks have their own draw, if you can tell them apart. For me, I honestly can’t say I can tell the difference between the two.
A little off topic but holy cow guys... this has gotta be a turkana senegalus meriondalis! Check out that spoonhead and that thickness.. impressive. @jaws7777 @Vancouver_98683 @Polyaddict86 @the fine flip @kewpiefishypewpie @Troy1015 @shookONES
Idk if that is a sen, has to much finlets for a sen and it look more like a volta endli.A little off topic but holy cow guys... this has gotta be a turkana senegalus meriondalis! Check out that spoonhead and that thickness.. impressive. @jaws7777 @Vancouver_98683 @Polyaddict86 @the fine flip @kewpiefishypewpie @Troy1015 @shookONES
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A little off topic but holy cow guys... this has gotta be a turkana senegalus meriondalis! Check out that spoonhead and that thickness.. impressive. @jaws7777 @Vancouver_98683 @Polyaddict86 @the fine flip @kewpiefishypewpie @Troy1015 @shookONES
It's a CB Lap :--)
Update about 2 months in. Chad bulking up quite well and showing good colour after I got rid of the coral chips and replaced the gravel with new red quartz. Have a great Monday people
