Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Pimp)

These are twilight and nocturnal fish. Intraspecific relations are good. Small fish could be devoured.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish is a freshwater fish that belongs to the family of polypteridae. We also know him under the name of Calabar or fish-fishing fish with scales in a fan. He is from the rivers and the marshes of West Africa, in particular Nigeria and Cameroon.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish has a long and slender shape, with a wide head and a mouth with small sharp teeth. His skin is covered with great scales in the shape of a fan, which give it a unique and distinctive appearance. The color of her skin varies from gray to dark brown, with patterns in the shape of dark bands on the body and head. The Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish also has a pair of dorsal fins which allow it to propel itself into water, as well as a pair of pelvic fins and a pair of pectoral fins.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish is a lonely fish that spends most of its time hiding in aquatic herbaries and muddy funds of rivers and marshes where it lives. It feeds mainly on small crustaceans, invertebrates and aquatic plants, which it captures using its mouth with small sharp teeth. Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish is also able to breathe air on the surface of the water thanks to an organ located in its throat, which allows it to survive in shallow and stagnant waters.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish is considered a species threatened in its natural habitat due to the pollution and destruction of its habitat by humans. In addition, it is also threatened by illegal fishing and capture for aquarophilia. Despite this, the Erpetoichthys calabaricus fish is protected by law in certain West African countries and efforts are underway to protect the populations of this unique and fascinating species.

The male has more rays in the anal fin (between 12 and 14 for the male, only 9 for the female) which thickens during the period of the Frai. The anal of the male is dark olive, in the female it is clear ocher.

The species has not yet been reproduced in aquarium.