Wayanad leaffish
📖 Overview
Wayanad leaffish (Pristolepis pentacantha), first described by Plamoottil, 2014 is a small fish in the family Pristolepididae (order Anabantiformes). Adults typically reach 9.50 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 5; Anal soft rays: 7. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body roughly rectangular and strongly laterally compressed; body depth 2.4- 2.5 in SL; dorsal contour rising gradually from snout towards the dorsal front, convex along the dorsum and abruptly attenuated at the caudal base; head moderate, its length 2.8- 3.0 and depth 2.9-3.2 in SL, pointed towards the snout; mouth upturned, its width 3.4- 3.7 in HL, maxilla ending at vertical at the level of anterior margin of orbit; opercle with two spines posteriorly; preopercle angle serrated with 5-6 serrae; junction of inter and sub opercle slightly serrated; preorbital without any teeth; pectoral fin reaching 9th scale row downwards posteriorly through 3 scales and then reach 2-3 scales in front of caudal fin base .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Wayanad leaffish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic-oceanic. Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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