Petrocephalus Similis

📖 Overview

Petrocephalus Similis (Petrocephalus similis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Mormyridae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 11.9 cm. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: Petrocephalus similis is distinguished from all other Petrocephalus species of Central Africa by the following combination of characteristics: body coloration gold/silver-white without melanin mark; 22–24 branched rays in the dorsal fin and 28-29 branched rays in the anal fin . Petrocephalus similis can be further distinguished from P. simus by its mouth opening under the posterior half of the eye vs. the anterior half of the eye in P. simus); its relatively deep caudal peduncle, the ratio caudal peduncle length and caudal peduncle depth between 2.2 and 2.6 vs. 2.8 in P. simus; and its greater number of scale rows between the anterior base of the anal fin and the lateral line, 16 or 17 vs. 12 in P. simus . Petrocephalus similis can be further distinguished from P. sullivani, by its proportionally larger mouth, the ratio head length and mouth width between 3.9 and 4.5 vs. 4.8 in P. sullivani; wider head, the ratio head length and head width between 1.6 and 1.9 vs. 2.0 in P. sullivani; and its shorter caudal peduncle, the ratio standard length and caudal peduncle length between 6.3 and 7.5 vs. 6.3 in P. sullivani . From the six Nilo-Sudanian species occurring in the Niger and Chad basins bordering the upper Sanaga, P. similis is easily distinguished from Petrocephalus pallidomaculatus, Petrocephalus soudanensis and Petrocephalus ansorgii by its complete absence of large melanin sub-dorsal spot; from Petrocephalus bane and Petrocephalus sauvagii, by its smaller mouth and fewer branched rays in the dorsal and anal fins; and from Petrocephalus bovei, by its fewer branched rays in the dorsal and anal fins and its larger maximum standard length . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Petrocephalus Similis is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 7°N - 6°N, 12°E - 13°E

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute