Polypterus pamlas???

[hedingtongreg]

I have had what the lfs called a Polypterus palmas for about 6 mounths now, but I have never seen mention of them here or on any other site. It is doing very well but I was just wondering if there was another name it was called??

 

[puffer_girl]

Know that there are different species but not sure how to differenciate between them. I know some get rather large. Had one a long time ago but never became an expert!!! Wish I could help you out!!!! I'm sure someone else on here can be of assistance!

 

[beblondie]

The correct name is Polypterus palmas palmas. This is because there are 2 subspecies
polypterus palmas polli and Polypterus palmas buettikoferi-Anne

 

[hedingtongreg]

Is there a way to tell the difference?

 

[hedingtongreg]

here is so pics, sorry their not the best (old digi)

 

[beblondie]

If those are all the same fish it looks like a P.senegalus to me -Anne

 

[Kenta]

from what i can tell it looks like a senegal as well.

 

[Fruitbat]

I agree....that is definitely Polypterus senegalus, the Senegal (or Cuvier's) Bichir.

As Anne mentioned, there are actually three (and maybe more) subspecies in the Polypterus palmas complex of bichirs. These include Polypterus palmas palmas, Polypterus palmas buettikoferi, and Polypterus palmas polli. Unfortunately, there is some confusion when trying to identify the various subspecies....especially using captive fish because they rarely come in with any collecting data.

Here are pictures of the three 'known' subspecies of the Polypterus palmas complex:

Polypterus palmas palmas

Polypterus palmas buettikoferi

Polypterus palmas polli

-Joe

 

[mcblack]

your lfs is calling it wrong and might be selling it too much, its just the most common bichir, p. senegalus

 

[Wildfishman05]

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/poly-pal.htm

Polypterus palmas Have alos been know as Marbled bichir, Shortfin bichir, Dinosaur eel
Should alo be noted that there are (3 subspecies: P. p. palmas, P. p. polli and P. p. buettikoferi) . I hope this is some help