Polypteruspt

African countries list of where living Polypterids are found. I did not bother listing the body of water where they catch Polypterids. Way too many to list and some I don't really know and can't say 100%, as we keep on getting many different unknown species. Can be a variant of a known species, a subspecies from an existing complex or a new species. Hopefully I'll have more time to do that someday with pictures. However not at this moment due to busy life of mine and lack of financials.

Northern Africa
1. Egypt
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)

2. Sudan
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

3. South Sudan
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

Western Africa
1. Benin
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

2. Burkina Faso
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

3. Cameroon
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
-Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir)
-Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterud tuegelsi (Cross river bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus polli (Marble bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

4. Gambia
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

5. Ghana
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

6. Guinea
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
-Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Goldust bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

7. Guinea-Bissau
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

8. Ivory Coast
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

9. Liberia
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Golddust bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)

10. Mali
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

11. Niger
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

12. Nigeria
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

13. Senegal
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Golddust bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

14. Sierra Leon
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir)
-Polypterus palmas buettikoferi (Golddust bichir)

15. Togo
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)

16. Mauritania
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)

Central Africa
1. Chad
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

2. Central African Republic
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo
-Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir)
-Polypterus ornatipinnis (Oranate bichir)
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus mokelembembe (Mokele-mbembe bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus meridionalis (Southern bichir)
-Polypterus polli (Marble bichir)
-Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir)
-Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)

4. Equitoral Guinea
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)

5. Gabon
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)

6.Republic of the Congo
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish)
-Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir)
-Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir)
-Polypterus mokelembembe (Mokele-mbembe bichir)
-Polypterus polli (Marble bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus meridionalis (Southern bichir)
-Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir)
-Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)

7. Republic of Rwanda
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)

Eastern Africa
1. Burundi
-Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)

2. Ethiopia
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus meridionales (Southern bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir)

3. Kenya
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus meridionales (Southern bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)

4. Tanzania
-Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
-Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)

5. Uganda
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir)

Southern Africa
1. Angola
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish
-Polypterus ornatipinnis (Ornate bichir)

2. Zambia
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Gray bichir)
-Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir)
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Polypterids Breeding Season

-Erpetoichthys Calabaricus = September to October
-Polypterus Bichir Bichir = November to March
-Polypterus Bichir Lapradei = November to July
-Polypterus Congicus = October to May
-Polypterus Endlicheri = November to March
-Polypterus Ansorgii = No records
-Polypterus Delhezi = November to April
-Polypterus Polli = November to April
-Polypterus Palmas Palmas = No records
-Polypterus Palmas Beuttikoferi = No records
-Polypterus Senegalus Senegalus = November to March
-Polypterus Senegalus Meridionales = No records
-Polypterus Mokelembembe = October to May
-Polypterus Tuegelsi = No records
-Polypterus Retropinnis = November to April
-Polypterus Ornatipinnis = October to May
-Polypterus Weeksii = October to May
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Ever wonder the native names of our beloved Polypterids came from their respected countries in Africa? Here are the list, not complete but just what I know for now. There are probably more that I still don't know about.

-Polypterus ansorgii
Sadjegé - Guinea
Saié - Guinea-Bissau
Kouagna - Mali
Gondo - Mali
Adagba - Nigeria
Akata - Nigeria
Gwando - Nigeria
Kusakpa - Nigeria

-Polypterus endlicheri
Khotum - Benin
Nigbo - Benin
Oli - Benin
Kuilwaafo - Burkina Faso
Sajige - Burkina Faso
Ake - Cameroon
Bangaw - Cameroon
Bange - Cameroon
Garza - Cameroon
Gondo - Cameroon
Nakerla - Cameroon
Robaï - Cameroon
Wange - Cameroon
Tsodou - Cameroon
Gong mofol - Chad
Gouon - Chad
Gong agusum - Chad
Gong mapual - Chad
Gong mopol - Chad
Sadjegé - Guinea
Deka - Ghana
Norsta - Ghana
Sangmeki - Ghana
Sanmeki - Ghana
Tsamina - Ghana
Tsimina - Ghana
Saié - Guinea-Bissau
Saieu - Guinea-Bissau
Zèpô - Ivory Coast
Nagir - Kenya
Agada - Nigeria
Akata - Nigeria
Adagba - Nigeria
Gwando - Nigeria
Gwando dua - Nigeria
Kufana - Nigeria
Kusakpa - Nigeria
Robai - Nigeria
Abshire - Sudan
Abushir - Sudan
Agwer - Sudan
Emsir - Sudan
Dabib el hut - Sudan
Ding - Sudan
Gbaranga - Sudan
Juath - Sudan
Kuku - Sudan
Otwel - Sudan

-Polypterus congicus
Elonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Ilolonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Mbuni - Democratic Republic of Congo
Mokunga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Mokututa - Democratic Republic of Congo
Nkungi angandu - Democratic Republic of Congo
Weuma - Democratic Republic of Congo
Konga - Republic of Congo
Djokala - Republic of Congo
Munkunga - Zambia

-Polypterus bichir bichir
Ake - Cameroon
Am'korkor - Chad
Gong dongââl - Chad
Gong gââl - Chad
Gong koïn - Chad
Abushir - Egypt
Tsimina - Ghana
Nagir - Kenya
Adagba - Nigeria
Akata - Nigeria
Gwando - Nigeria
Kusakpa Nigeria
Abshire - Sudan
Agwer - Sudan
Dabib el hut - Sudan
Ding - Sudan
Emsir - Sudan
Gbaranga - Sudan
Juath - Sudan
Kuku - Sudan
Otwel - Sudan

-Polypterus bichir lapradei
Ake - Cameroon
Khotum - Benin
Kuilwaafo - Burkina Faso
Sajige - Burkina Faso
Ake - Cameroon
Am'korkor - Chad
Sannka - Gambia
Sadjegé - Guinea
Saié - Guinea-Bissau
Adagba - Nigeria
Akata - Nigeria
Gwando - Nigeria
Kusakpa Nigeria
Khâb - Senegal
Abshire - Sudan
Agwer - Sudan
Dabib el hut - Sudan
Ding - Sudan
Emsir - Sudan
Gbaranga - Sudan
Juath - Sudan
Kuku - Sudan
Otwel - Sudan

-Polypterus delhezi
Nkonga - Democratic Republic of Congo

-Polypterus senegalus senegalus
Khotum - Benin
Kuilwaafo -Burkina Faso
Sajige - Burkina Faso
Ake - Cameroon
Gong kakerte - Chad
Gong kekerte - Chad
Kambanioka - Democratic Republic of Congo
Otel - Democratic Republic of Congo
Abushir - Egypt
Sannka - Gambia
Sayo - Gambia
Adeke - Ghana
Alidekae - Ghana
Deka - Ghana
Sanmeki - Ghana
Sadjegé - Guinea
Saié - Guinea-Bissau
Nagir - Kenya
Nagiri - Kenya
Adagba - Nigeria
Agada - Nigeria
Akata - Nigeria
Gwando - Nigeria
Kusakpa - Nigeria
Khâb - Senegal
Khabé - Senegal
Jeyei - Sierra Leone
Keskla - Sierra Leone
Keskia - Sierra Leone
Kutenkellie - Sierra Leone
Abshire - Sudan
Abshir - Sudan
Agwer - Sudan
Emsir - Sudan
Dabib el hut - Sudan
Ding - Sudan
Gbaranga - Sudan
Juath - Sudan
Kuku - Sudan
Otwell - Sudan
Dégé - Togo
Mtonta - Uganda
Otell - Uganda

-Polypterus senegalus meridionalis
Kambanioka - Democratic Republic of Congo
Otel - Democratic Republic of Congo

-Polypterus palmas palmas
Adeke - Ghana
Sadjegé - Guinea
Saié - Guinea-Bissau

-Polypterus palmas buettikoferi
Sadjegé - Guinea

-Polypterus polli
Akwa - Cameroon
Boonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Elonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Shongonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Songonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Foonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Nkonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Igogo - Democratic Republic of Congo
Konga - Republic of Congo

-Polypterus retropinnis
Khotum - Benin
Akwa - Cameroon
Adeke - Ghana
Mopolu - Democratic Republic of Congo
Mokuta - Democratic Republic of Congo
Monga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Moonga - Democratic Republic of Congo
Moposse - Democratic Republic of Congo

-Polypterus mokelembembe
?

-Polypterus weeksii
Mokoi - Democratic Republic of Congo

-Polypterus ornatipinnis
Mimbambala - Angola
Mumbambala - Angola
Tshikanga - Angola
Akwa - Cameroon
Konga - Republic of Congo
Mukunga - Republic of Congo
Mukungo - Republic of Congo
Nkunga ya moja bato - Republic of Congo
Samaki magamba - Tanzania

-Polypterus teugelsi
Akwa - Cameroon
Mobangobe - Cameroon

-Erpetoichthys calabaricus
Mujanjé - Cameroon
Munjonjô - Cemeroon
Muyonjô - Cameroon
Adagba - Nigeria
Agbaroko - Nigeria
Bano - Nigeria
Korotuwugboro - Nigeria
Lakisa - Nigeria
Ogboro - Nigeria
Woyi - Nigeria
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For the new Polypterid keepers that need to update on the names of known Polypterids of today. Many forums, websites, books and google search, will show you the old literature. Many experience bichir keeper are also not aware that in 2010, there were some changes. So here are the list of currently known Polypterids.

Superclass: Osteichthyes

Class: Actinopterygii

Subclass: Chondrostei
Cladistia

Order: Polypteriformes

Family: Polypteridae

Genera: Erpetoichthys
Polypterus

Genus: Erpetoichthys
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish/Reedfish)

Genus: Polypterus
Bichir group:
-Polypterus bichir bichir (Nile bichir)
--Polypterus bichir lapradei (Niger river bichir/ Laprade's bichir)
-Polypterus congicus (Giant bichir/Congo bichir)

Endlicheri group:
-Polypterus endlicheri (Saddled bichir/ Tiger bichir)
-Polypterus ansorgii (Guinean bichir)

Senegalus group:
-Polypterus senegalus senegalus (Grey bichir/ Senegal bichir/ Cuvier bichir)
--Polypterus senegalus meridionalis (Southern bichir/ Meridionalis bichir)
-Polypterus palmas palmas (Shortfin bichir/ Palmas bichir)
--Polypterus palmas beuttikoferi (Golddust bichir/ Beuttikofer's bichir)
-Polypterus polli (Marble bichir/ Poll's bichir)
-Polypterus delhezi (Armored bichir/ Barred bichir)

Weeksii group
-Polypterus weeksii (Mottled bichir/ Fathead bichir/ Weeks's bichir)
-Polypterus ornatippinis (Ornate bichir)
-Polypterus retropinnis (Retro bichir/Zaire green bichir)
-Polypterus teugelsi (Cross river bichir/ Tuegels' bichir/ Cameroon bichir)
-Polypterus mokelebhembe (West african bichir/ Mokele-bhembe bichir)

Others from genus Polypterus that have no valid scientific names yet and possible a new unknown species, subspecies or just a variant of a known species.

-Polypterus sp. "Dabola" (Dabola bichir)
People used debate if they are wild natural occurring hybrid or not. Study are now on going, as they are separate species that connects the Bichir group and Endlicheri group. This polypterus would be group together with the Bichir group though. Due to its similar holotype and with DNA that is closer to Polypterus bichir lapradei.

-Polypterus sp. "Faranah"
Do not confuse this with Polypterus bichir lapradei "Faranah". Yet another unknown species from the Bichir group. Used to be called as Polypterus sp. "Dabola" before as it was one of a contaminant. Another possible transitional species that connects the Endlicheri group from Bichir group. Possible even more earlier form compare to Polypterus sp. "Dabola".

-Polypterus sp. "Guinea"
Was also a contaminant from Polypterus sp. "Dabola", yet this one has the holotype from the Endlicheri group.

-Polypterus sp. "Tinkisso"
Another unknown Polypterid that has the holotype from the endlicheri group.

-Polypterus sp. "Koloton"/Polypterus sp. "Koliba".
Both of these Polypterids are just probably the same Polypterid variants, only caught in different locations. Possible a subspecies from a Polypterus bichir complex. Would be better if this two species are called Polypterus sp. cf. "lapradei". Both are part of the Guinea lapradei variant or better yet, Western type lapradei.

-Polypterus sp. aff. "Lapradei"
This bichir is posible a crossbreed of Polypterus bichir bichir and Polypterus bichir lapradei. Or just a Polypterus bichir lapradei variant.

-Polypterus sp. "Onigo"
This particular polypterid is the first ever recorded of a Polypterus bichir lapradei on the east side of Africa. This is just a Polypterus bichir lapradei.

-Polypterus sp. cf. "Palmas"
An unknown Polypterid that resembles from a Palmas complex but with only 6-7 dorsal spines and are set way back. Similar to Polypterus polli, Polypterus retropinnis and polypterus teugelsi. It also have similar color to Polypterus teugelsi but body of palmas complex and with banding similar to Polypterus palmas.

-Polypterus sp. "Golddust"
Just a patternless variant of Polypterus palmas beuttikoferi.

-Polypterus sp. "Liberia"
Just a variant of Polypterus Palmas Palmas. However the stripes are set vertically compare to Polypterus palmas palmas that the stripes are set on an angle.

-Polypterus sp. aff. "Endlicheri" (Golden bichir)
A possible subspecies of Polypterus endlicheri yet to be describe.

-Polypterus sp. aff. "Congicus" (Gesilas bichir)
Possible a subspecies of Polypterus congicus yet to be described. Also have some thought, that this could be the one they called Polypterus bichir katangae.

-Polypterus sp. "Cotto"
No further info on this one. Possible a new species

-Polypterus sp. "Nigeria"
Almost similar to Polypterus sp. "Dabola", but found in Nigeria. With different headshape and pattern.

-Polypterus sp. "Lagone"
Just an old name of Polypterus bichir bichir found in Lagone River, Cameroon. When Polypterus bichir bichir was not introduced yet to the hobby.

There are probably more "spp" or unknown species out there. Just place them in the comment if I don't know or not aware of.
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Living and extinct Polypterids (Polypteriformes)
Family: †Uncertain? (Incomplete polypterid fossils)

genus: † Dagetella (***et and Meunier 1992)
-† Dagetella sudamericana - Lower Creta locality: South America: Bolivia; Brazil; Afrika: Niger

genus: † Latinopollia (Meunier & ***et, 1998)
-† Latinopollia suarezi - Creta locality: Pjacha Pata Bolivia

genus: † Serenoichthys (Dutheil, 1999)
-† Serenoichthys kemkemensis - Lower Creta locality: Africa; Antarctica; Argentina; Australia: New South Wales, AU

genus: † Bartschichthys - Lower Creta locality: South America: Bolivia; Brazil; Afrika: Niger
-† Bartschichthys arnoulti
-† Bartschichthys napatensis
-† Bartschichthys tubularis

genus: † Sudania - Lower Creta locality: Wadi Milk In Becetem Formation, Sudan, Niger
-†Sudania gracilis
-†Sudania oblonga

genus: † Saharaichthys - Lower Creta locality: Africa
-†Saharaichthys nigeriensis
-†Saharaichthys africanus

genus: † Sainthilaria - Palaeogen locality: Tanzania, Africa
-†Sainthilaria falciformis
-†Sainthilaria intermedia
-†Sainthilaria beccussiformis
-†Sainthilaria elongata
-†Sainthilaria grandis

genus: † Inbecetemia - Lower Creta locality: Wadi Milk Fm.; In Becetem Formation; Sudan; Niger
-†Inbecetemia torta
-†Inbecetemia tortissima

genus: † Nagaia - Lower Creta locality: Wadi Milk Fm.; In Becetem Formation; Sudan; Niger
-†Nagaia extrema

>Family: Polypteridae

genus: † Serenichthys
-†Serenichthys kernkemensis
~dwarf polypterus

genus: Erpetoichthys (Smith, 1865)
-Erpetoichthys calabaricus ~ropefish/reedfish (Smith, 1865)

genus: † Bawitius
-†Bawitius bartheli (exPolypterus bartheli)
~giant polypterus (Schaal 1984) Creta locality: Bahariya Formation, in the Bahariya Oasis of western Egypt

genus: Polypterus (Lacépède, 1803)
-†Polypterus dageti
~daget's bichir (Gayet and Meunier, 1996) Lower Creta locality: Becetem Formation, Niger
-†Polypterus sudanensis
~sudan bichir (Werner and Gayet, 1998- Lower Creta locality: Becetem Formation, Niger
-†Polypterus faraou
~farou bichir (Otero & Vignaud & Brunet, 2006) Miocene locality: western Djourab, Chad
-Polypterus ansorgii
~guinean bichir (Boulenger, 1910)
-Polypterus endlicheri
~saddled bichir/tiger bichir (Heckel, 1847)
-Polypterus congicus)
~giant bichir/congo bichir (Boulenger, 1898)
-Polypterus bichir (Lacépède, 1803)
---(Polypterus bichir bichir)
~nile bichir (Lacépède, 1803)
---(Polypterus bichir lapradei)
~niger river bichir/laprade's bichir (Steindachner, 1869)
-Polypterus delhezi
~armored bichir/barred bichir (Boulenger, 1899)
-Polypterus senegalus (Cuvier, 1829)
---(Polypterus senegalus senegalus
~gray bichir/senegal bichir/curvier bichir/nigerian bichir (Cuvier, 1829)
-(Polypterus senegalus meridionalis)
~meridionalis bichir/southern bichir? (Poll, 1941)
-Polypterus palmas (Ayres 1850)
---(Polypterus palmas palmas)
~shortfin bichir/palmas bichir (Ayres, 1850)
---(Polypterus palmas buettikoferi)
~golddust bichir/buettikofer's bichir (Steindachner, 1891)
-Polypterus polli
~marble bichir/poll's bichir (Gosse, 1988)
-Polypterus retropinnis
~retro bichir/zaire green bichir (Vaillant, 1899)
-Polypterus mokelembembe
~west african bichir/mokele-mbembe bichir (Schliewen & Schäfer, 2006)
-Polypterus weeksii
~fathead bichir/mottled bichir (Boulenger, 1898)
-Polypterus ornatipinnis
~ornate bichir (Boulenger, 1902)
-Polypterus teugelsi
~cross river bichir/cameroon bichir tuegels' bichir (Britz, 2004)
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Ever wonder how they gave scientific names to Polypterids or where they got their names from? Here you go, did a little bit of research. Just correct me if I'm wrong. I placed the two genus of the Ropefish as of right now both are being use.

-Erpetoichthys = Herpet(reptile)+ichthys(fish): Meaning, "reptile fish." Refers to the reptilian look or snake like appearance.
-Calamoichthys = Calamus (quill or spadix of reed) Refers to the ganoid scales that resemble the flowering spadix of reeds. Hence the name reedfish.
-Calabaricus = Calabar (named after Calabar River in Nigeria)+icus (usually added to the name of the place where it came from.
-Polypterus = Poly(many)+pteron(wing): Meaning, "many wings." Refers to the multiple hard dorsal spines and finlets of the bichir.
-Bichir = The word bichir came from the word "Abu Shir." An Arabic dialect refers to any fish in the Nile River, Egypt that resembles a spiny armoured fish. Was later mispronounced by French naturalist. They thought the "A" was referred to a single fish. Which is use to refers by English to describe a single object. So they only thought about "Bu Shir". Thus we end up with the word "Bichir" or else we probably have the word "Abichir".
-Lapradei = Named after Émile Pinet-Laprade. Former governor of Senegal from 1822-1869. To honor his death the year this fish was describe.
-Congicus = Congo (named after Congo river basin)+icus (usually added to the name of where it came from)
-Endlicheri = Named after a botanist, Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher. Who discovered this fish in the fish collection of Natural History Museum in Vienna.
-Ansorgii = Named after William John Ansorge. A physician and zoologist who collected in Africa.
-Delhezi = Named after Paul Delhez. His collection and field observation helped prepared Boulenger's book of Congo fishes.
-Polli = Named after Max Fernand Leon Poll. A Belgian ichthyologist. He proposed the name, but did not describe the fish. The name was supposed to be Polypterus palmas congicus but the name congicus was already occupied by Polypterus endlicheri congicus at that time.
-Palmas = Named after Cape Palmas. A locality in Liberia.
-Beuttikoferi = Name after Dr. Johann Büttikofer. A Swiss zoologist, best known as a "Father of Liberian Natural History."
-Senegalus = Named after Senegal river basin.
-Meridionalis = Meridies (south)+aris. Meridional. Meaning, native to southern area or a creature of the southern area.
-Mokelembembe = Named after a cryptic creature called "Mokele-mbembe" in the Congo basin that was thought to be a sauropod. A type of long neck dinosaur. We normally refers to dinosaurs as old, so it was given that name. Mokele-mbembe was thought to be existing today in our modern times. The name was given to this fish as Polypterus mokelembebe, considered as the sister group to all Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish). Or the grand father of ray-finned fish.
-Tuegelsi = Named after Guy Tuegels. Curator of fishes at the Royal Museum of Central Africa, for his “myriad influential contributions to the systematics of African freshwater fishes”
-Retropinnis = Retro(back)+pinnis or pinna(fins). Referring to the dorsal fins of the fish that are set way back of the body.
-Ornatipinnis = Ornatus or Ornate (decorated with complex pattern)+pinnis or pinna(fins). Referring to the well decorated patterns of this fish on all fins.
-Weeksii = Named after Rev. J. H. Weeks. He collected this fish on his mission station at Monsembe upper Congo River, Zaire.
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Ok time to learn the proper way of writing latin/scientific names of Polypterids or any fish in particular. Also the proper way of adding the location it was caught from. As many seems are still confuse and been asking repeated questions on what's the differences of this certain fish to this certain fish. Even though they are just the same fish.

A good example of many people's mistakes that will confuse many are when they wrote down:
-Dabola lap
-Dabola endli
-Sp. dabola.
To many this is just similar species. However, they are actually not. So it's best to write them down properly to prevent confusion.

Dabola lap should be Polypterus bichir lapradei "Dabola" or lap "dabola" for short. Which is a lapradei caught in Dabola. It is not an endlicheri nor sp. dabola. It's a lapradei caught somewhere in dabola. Same thing with Dabola endli, it's should be Polypterus endlicheri "Dabola" or endli "dabola for short. It's an actual endlicheri caught somewhere in Dabola area. Now for the sp. dabola. It's should be Polypterus sp. "dabola" just sp. "dabola". It's not an endlicheri, it's not a lapradei. But an unknown species caught somewhere in Dabola. That's why it was labeled "sp." or "species". Always place the location where it was caught from at the end of the latin name. Regardless you place the full latin name or without the genus name. As long as you place the location it was caught in "quotation marks".

Another example would be koliba lap. Many people been asking me, "What's are the difference between Koliba lap and sp. koliba?". They are just the same fish. If people or seller just write down the proper latin names this will stop many of the confusion. So it's best to write it down as Polypterus sp. "koliba" or if you want it short. Sp. "koliba". Or best yet, Polypterus bichir lapradei "Koliba" or Polypterus sp. cf. "Lapradei". Not just Koliba lap. Always place the location caught at the end. Yes sp. "koliba" is a western type lapradei but it's still place as unknown species.

So normally we label them in Genus name first. Then the latin name that was given to that certain species. Fallowed by the location it was caught from in quotation marks.
Genus: Polypterus
Species: Endlicheri
Location: "Tinkisso"
Polypterus Endlicheri "Tinkisso" Or endli "tinkisso".

If the species is unknown we normally place "sp.", "spec." which means "species". Then place the location it was caught from or the characteristic of the fish.
-Polypterus sp. "Dabola"
-Polypterus sp. "Golddust"
-Polypterus sp. "Zaire Green"

Example would be Polypterus sp. "Dabola". An unknown Polypterus found in Dabola area. Another example would be. Polypterus sp. "goldust". Meaning, it's an unknown Polypterus that have some Gold dust characteristic or gold in general. However, we all know this was just a variant of Polypterus palmas beuttikoferi which now became the common name for this fish. Also another great example would be Polypterus sp. "Zaire green". They both place the location and the characteristic of the species. Meaning, an unknown Green looking polypterus in Zaire. Polypterus sp. "Zaire green" is actually now, Polypterus retropinnis.

So if the unknown species looks similar to an existing species. We usually place "cf." means confer or compare. Another one is "aff.", "affin." means affinis or affinity. Using this two actually confuses some people on how cf. and aff. works.
-Polypterus sp. cf. "Lapradei"
-Polypterus sp. cf. "Bichir"
-Polypterus sp. cf. "Retropinnis" 'Pool Malebo.
-Polypterus sp. aff. "Congicus"

How "cf" works, would be comparing an unknown species to an existing species. This usually being use in the same group of Polypterus. So example would be Polypterus sp. cf. "lapradei". Means, an unknown Bichir complex that have similarities to a Polypterus bichir lapradei. This would be a good example of Polypterus sp. "Koliba", Polypterus sp. "Faranah" or any of the Western type Lapradei unknown variants in particular. Now with Polypterus sp. cf. "Bichir" would probably be a bit confusing. However, this normally applies to an unknown variants of Eastern type Lapradei. Since both Polypterus bichir bichir have similar marking to that many of the Eastern type lapradei. So this would refer to Polypterus sp. "Onigo" and Polypterus sp. "Yobe". Both are just Polypterus bichir Lapradei. Now with Polypterus sp. cf. "Retropinnis"'Pool Malebo". The location point is also added. So it means it's an unknown Polypterus that have similar look to a Polypterus retropinnis or a variant that is found in Pool Malebo. Another example would be Polypterus sp. cf. "Lapradei"'Koliba", which we already stated previously. Meaning it's an unknown bichir complex that looks similar to a Polypterus bichir Lapradai found in Koliba area.

Now we go to on how "aff." works. "Aff." can be a bit tricky to use properly on unknown species. It's usually use to an unknown species that have similar characteristic to a known species but is thought to be a separate species. Example would be Polypterus sp. aff. "Congicus". This particular species was thought to be just a Polypterus Congicus in Lake Tanganyika in Zambia. However upon closer looks with more detail, it's thought to be a separate species but the markings are very closely the same. Or these two species are more related to each other. That's why it was labels as sp. aff. "Congicus" as it's the closest known species that can be compare to Polypterus Congicus.

Now hope for the new Polypterid Fanatics and those that are still learning would clear some confusion. For those that already know, please feel free to add or correct my mistakes.

Happy Polypterids Keeping, Polypterus Fanatics!

Work and research conducted by Master Earl Pigar.

PolypterusPT