![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Parachanna_africana_distribution.gif/640px-Parachanna_africana_distribution.gif&w=640&q=50)
Parachanna africana
Species of fish / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Parachanna africana?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Parachanna africana, the African snakehead or Niger snakehead, is a species of fish from west-central Africa. Little is published on its biology. Limited primarily to coastal sections of rivers, it is thought to be a nest-building, thrust predator like other Channidae.[2]
Parachanna africana | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Parachanna africana, after Boulenger, 1916 | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Anabantiformes |
Family: | Channidae |
Genus: | Parachanna |
Species: | P. africana |
Binomial name | |
Parachanna africana (Steindachner, 1879) | |
![]() | |
Distribution of Parachanna africana.[2] | |
Synonyms[3] | |
|
Its native range is southern Benin to southern Nigeria, primarily the Oueme River and the basin of the Niger River.[2]
This specie also referred to as "African snake Head" or "Niger snake head" is uncommon in the aquarium trade. In Nigeria, it is used for human consumption and used in medicine. This specie is sometimes mistaken for Congener P. obscura, but following Bonou and Teugal (1985), P. Africana can be distinguished from Congener P. obscura by the following combination of characteristics since sometimes they are misapplied:
- Colour pattern is unique – Parachanna africana has a series of 8–11 dark chevron-shaped markings extending along the body posterior to the operculum
- 19–24 scales in the transverse series
- Lateral line complete with 73–83 pores scales
- 32–35 anal-fin rays.
Most times, the chevron marking may not be visible in a live specimen; this depends on the mood of the fish.