Knowra Reedfish Reedfish The reedfish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) is an elongated African freshwater fish with lungs that let it breathe air and paired fins used for movement on land.
Lungfish : A group of freshwater fishes that breathe air with lungs and can survive periods of low water. Like reedfish, lungfish supplement gill breathing with air breathing, though they belong to a different lineage.
Bichir : A group of African freshwater fishes in the genus Polypterus, known for lungs and a series of dorsal finlets. Bichirs are the reedfish's closest living relatives among the living ray-finned fishes.
Aquarium : A transparent enclosure that maintains aquatic organisms in a controlled environment. Reedfish are kept in aquariums, where access to the water surface is essential for air breathing.
West African freshwater ecosystems : The rivers, swamps, and other inland waters of West Africa and their living communities. Reedfish inhabit slow-moving, vegetated freshwater habitats in this region.
Accessory air-breathing organ : A structure that lets a fish obtain oxygen from air in addition to, or instead of, dissolved oxygen. Reedfish use lungs as an accessory route for oxygen when surfacing.
Polypteriformes : An order of African ray-finned fishes comprising bichirs and the reedfish. This order contains the reedfish and its closest living relatives.
Fishkeeping : The practice of maintaining fish in aquariums or ponds. Reedfish require secure covers because they can escape by moving over land.
Nigeria : A country in West Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea. The reedfish's scientific name reflects Calabar, a Nigerian city near its described range.
Swim bladder : A gas-filled organ in many bony fishes that helps control buoyancy. The swim bladder and lungs share evolutionary ties, but reedfish lungs serve air breathing.
Ray-finned fish : A major group of fishes whose fins are supported by bony or cartilaginous rays. Reedfish are an unusual, early-branching lineage within this enormous fish group.
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