African obscure snakehead
📖 Overview
Obligate air-breathing ; Inhabits marginal vegetation and floodplains. Feeds on insects and small fish . Maximum SL reported 50.0 cm larger than maximum TL 45.5 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 39 - 45; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 26 - 32. Diagnosis: body elongate; lateral-line scales medium-sized, numbering 65-78; head depressed anteriorly, relatively long and covered with scales larger than those on body; lower jaw slightly longer than the upper, with 4-6 well developed canines; dorsal and anal fins not touching caudal fin; dorsal fin with 39-45, anal with 26-32 rays; 5-8 more or less rounded or polygonal dark blotches on flanks . 19-24 scales in transversal series . : elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for African obscure snakehead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Obscure snakeheads are carnivorous fish. Adults feed primarily on other fish up to half their size, while juveniles feed on insect larvae, insects, prawns, and copepods.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for African obscure snakehead is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical; 26°C - 28°C ; 14°N - 3°S West Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
insects and small fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"African obscure snakehead is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 230 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for African obscure snakehead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African obscure snakehead · African snakehead · Obscure Snakehead · Snake-head · Snakehead |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Fakka · Mushat |
| 🌍CES | hadohlavec tmavý |
| 🇩🇪German | Dunkelbäuchiger Schlangenkopf |
| 🌍EWE | Norti |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Marmorikäärmeenpää |
| 🇫🇷French | Lotte |
| 🌍GLE | Hauti |
| 🌍HAU | Tuhi |
| 🌍KAU | Môromôro |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Тёмный змееголов |
| 🌍WOL | Boudha |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 331 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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