ID This Polypterus
- Thread starter taisho75
- Start date
CB Nigerian Lap. I only counted 15 finlets. Juvie usually kinda look like they got an extra finlet but as they grow it become noticeable that it's just part of upper caudal tail.
From the looks of it, seem like I got myself a CB nigerian lap, but paid for a bichir bichir price. I know of another LFS that show me a similar picture of his "bichir bichir" and trying to sell to his customers.
This is the description I got from fishbase website. I could not help but notice the similarities in both of them. Is there a really confirmed way to distinguished the 2?
Polypterus Bichir bichir description:
Dorsal spines (total): 1418; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 16; Vertebrae: 61 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.8-10.3 times in its length; head length 4.1-5.5 times in body length (Ref. 2835). Head width 1.7-2.3 times in head length, eye-diameter 8.5-13.0 times in head length (Ref. 2835). Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Number of dorsal finlets: 14-18 (Ref. 42908); dorsal finlets overlapping when folded down (Ref. 31439). Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 19-21 (Ref. 367). Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine (Ref. 367). Ganoid scales (Ref. 36900, Ref. 42904): 63-70 lateral line scales; 46-54 scales around body; 11-16 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border (Ref. 2835). The color is olive, but white on the ventral side, with three darker longitudinal bands on the lateral side, which are more visible in young than adults; pectoral and pelvic fins have greenish and yellowish transversal bands (Ref. 367, Ref. 2835).
Polypterus Lapradei description:
Dorsal spines (total): 1315; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 60 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.6-11.2 times in its length; head length 4.3-5.6 times in body length (Ref. 2835). Head width 1.5-2.2 times in head length; eye-diameter 8-12 times in head length (Ref. 2835). Lower jaw longer than upper jaw (Ref. 2835). Number of dorsal finlets: 13-15 (Ref. 42908). Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 20-21 (Ref. 2835). Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine (Ref. 2835). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 58-68 lateral line scales, 46-52 scales around body, 11-15 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border (Ref. 2835). Yellowish or greenish colored on the dorsal side, ventral side more clear; darker longitudinal bands on lateral side (Ref. 2835). Dark spots and blotches are sometimes present on caudal, ventral and pelvic fins and underside of the belly (Ref. 13851).
This is the description I got from fishbase website. I could not help but notice the similarities in both of them. Is there a really confirmed way to distinguished the 2?
Polypterus Bichir bichir description:
Dorsal spines (total): 1418; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 16; Vertebrae: 61 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.8-10.3 times in its length; head length 4.1-5.5 times in body length (Ref. 2835). Head width 1.7-2.3 times in head length, eye-diameter 8.5-13.0 times in head length (Ref. 2835). Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Number of dorsal finlets: 14-18 (Ref. 42908); dorsal finlets overlapping when folded down (Ref. 31439). Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 19-21 (Ref. 367). Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine (Ref. 367). Ganoid scales (Ref. 36900, Ref. 42904): 63-70 lateral line scales; 46-54 scales around body; 11-16 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border (Ref. 2835). The color is olive, but white on the ventral side, with three darker longitudinal bands on the lateral side, which are more visible in young than adults; pectoral and pelvic fins have greenish and yellowish transversal bands (Ref. 367, Ref. 2835).
Polypterus Lapradei description:
Dorsal spines (total): 1315; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 60 - 62. Subcylindrical body; its depth 6.6-11.2 times in its length; head length 4.3-5.6 times in body length (Ref. 2835). Head width 1.5-2.2 times in head length; eye-diameter 8-12 times in head length (Ref. 2835). Lower jaw longer than upper jaw (Ref. 2835). Number of dorsal finlets: 13-15 (Ref. 42908). Number of branched dorsal and caudal rays: 20-21 (Ref. 2835). Pectoral fin reaching first dorsal spine (Ref. 2835). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 58-68 lateral line scales, 46-52 scales around body, 11-15 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, Ref. 42908). Lateral line scales are notched on the posterior border (Ref. 2835). Yellowish or greenish colored on the dorsal side, ventral side more clear; darker longitudinal bands on lateral side (Ref. 2835). Dark spots and blotches are sometimes present on caudal, ventral and pelvic fins and underside of the belly (Ref. 13851).
Here are some bichir bichir and lap photos I taken from a web. See if anyone can distinguished them. 
I have 3 P.BB from both parts of Africa, And have handled and seen a lot more. I can tell you straight away, your Polypterus is not a P.BB.
I would get straight back on to your dealer, and give him/her hell!
Here is the head of one of mine:
Compare it to the head in your first picture on page-1...
I would get straight back on to your dealer, and give him/her hell!
Here is the head of one of mine:
Compare it to the head in your first picture on page-1...
tokyogasmask;4628193; said:
Thanks. I just talked to the supplier today. He told me he was told that piece is a P.B.B. by the person he brought from. Maybe I shall see how it grows when it gets bigger. I may get lucky...
What about those photos I posted? Is there a PBB in them?
You are crazy!
You wont get "lucky".
That is 100% not P.BB.
I would demand your money back, regardless of what your supplier was told.
You wont get "lucky".
That is 100% not P.BB.
I would demand your money back, regardless of what your supplier was told.
Ok, I go look for him again tomorrow and return the bichir and ask for refund. I am new to this polypterus and wanna own the hardest to get of all species. I had kept many species of polypterus and this is the only few left in my wanted list... 
What about those photos I posted? Any PBB in 1 of them since you are the expert...
What about those photos I posted? Any PBB in 1 of them since you are the expert...
