Papyrocranus afer (Günther, 1868)
Reticulate knifefish
Papyrocranus afer
photo by Kaladjian, M.

 Family:  Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes)
 Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,320.0 g
 Environment:  demersal; pH range: 6.5; dH range: 10
 Distribution:  Africa: Niger basin (upper Niger, Benue and Niger Delta), most coastal river basins from Senegal and Gambia eastward to include the Tano and Prah basins in Ghana, and the Cross and Sanaga basins east of the Niger delta (Ref. 7431). Absent from the Volta basin, Chad, Ogooué, Kwilu-Niari or Chiloango basins (Ref. 7431).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 2-2; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 113-141. With 35-45 ventral spines; head 5.0-5.1 times SL; eye diameter 4.6-5.3 times head length; length of nasal tentacle twice the eye diameter. Caudal vertebrae 63-69 (Ref. 7431).
 Biology:  Prefers calm waters with dense vegetation.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Cruz, Tess - 14.02.92
 Modified by: Torres, Armi G. - 03.03.99
 Checked by: Palomares, Maria Lourdes D. - 02.09.94

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