Parachanna obscura
FAMILY
Channidae
TAXONOMY
Ophiocephalus obscurus Gьnther, 1861, West Africa.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
German: Dunkelbдuchiger Schlangenkopf; Dinka: Abioth; Ga:
Hauti; Hausa: Tuhi.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length 15.7 in (40 cm). Medium-sized, head somewhat concave,
pointed in lateral view and depressed anteriorly; has small
scales (LL= 65–78), patch of small scales near the tip of the
underside of the lower jaw, and no large canine-like teeth on
the upper jaw. Body brown to dark brown with several large
black blotches, blackish mark at base of pectoral fins along
with several rows of black spots. Young have broad blackish
band on body sides and light-edged ocellar spot at the caudal
fin base.
DISTRIBUTION
The White Nile and from the Senegal and Chad Rivers to the
Congo River basin in western Africa; most widely distributed
African species.
HABITAT
Slow-running to stagnant waters, preferably with heavy vegetation,
including rivers, streams, lakes, lagoons, and marshes.
BEHAVIOR
Adults are solitary ambush predators. Overland movement of
this species has never been reported.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Juveniles feed on prawns, copepods, and aquatic insect larvae;
adults prefer mostly fishes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Female lays 2,000–3,000 eggs in October and November which
are probably deposited in a nest and guarded by the male for
4–5 days after hatching.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Of minor importance as a food fish within its
DISTRIBUTION
, cultured
in ponds and also used to control tilapia in aquaculture.
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