African bonytongue
Heterotis niloticus
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The African arowana, a close relative of the arapaima. It breathes air and survives in oxygen-poor water. It is the only member of its family that feeds mainly on plankton. It is farmed in ponds as a food fish in Africa. It reaches about 1 metre.
- Scientific name
- Heterotis niloticus
- Family
- Arapaimidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Arapaimidae
- Order
- Osteoglossiformes
- Synonyms
- Clupisudis niloticus, Heterotis adansoni, Heterotis adansonii, Heterotis ehrenbergii, Heterotis nilotica, Sudis adansonii, Sudis nilotica, Sudis niloticus
Origin
- Native region
- África
Water
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 100 cm
Behavior
- Swimming level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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