Giant African threadfin

The giant African threadfin (Polydactylus quadrifilis) is a species of ray-finned fish from the threadfin family Polynemidae. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa.

Giant African threadfin
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Polynemidae
Genus: Polydactylus
Species:
P. quadrifilis
Binomial name
Polydactylus quadrifilis
(Cuvier, 1829)
Synonyms[2]
  • Trichidion quadrifilis (Cuiver, 1829)
  • Polynemus quadrifilis Cuvier, 1829
Histoire naturelle des poissons (Pl. 68) (7949957046)

Description

The giant African threadfin is, as its common name indicates, a large species of threadfin attaining a maximum total length of 200 centimetres (79 in), although the more common size is 150 centimetres (59 in).[2] It has a pointed snout and analmost straight dorsal profile on the head. It has two separate dorsal fins, the first dorsal fin has 8 spines with the second of these being thicker than the rest, and the second dorsal fin contains a single spine and 13 soft rays. The anal fin has 3 spines and 11 soft rays, its base approximately equal in length to the base of the second dorsal fin. The pectoral fin has 12 or 13 unbranched rays and it measures 20 to 24% of the standard length of the fish, its tip not extended as far as the tip of pelvic fin. There are 4 pectoral filaments with the first being the shortest, the first three filaments extend past the origin of the pelvic fin but not as far as its tip. The fourth pectoral filament is the longest, being 27 to 39% of the standard length, reaches at least to the tip of the pelvic fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and has lobes non-filamentous long lobes. There are 70*71 pored scales in the lateral line which is simple and runs from the upper end of the gill slit to the upper end of the lower lobe of the caudal fin. The head and upper flanks are silver with a blackish tint, paler on the lower flanks and white on the breast and belly. The snout is semi-transparent. The dorsal fins and caudal fin are pale with blackish rear margins. The pectoral fin is bright yellow and the pectoral filaments are white. The pelvic and anal fins are dusky with white on the front edge and at their bases.[3]

Distribution

The giant African threadfin occurs in the tropical eastern Atlantic Ocean off the coast of western Africa from Senegal to the Congo. There is a single record from Mauritania.[1]

Habitat and biology

The giant African threadfin is found in shallow coastal waters where there are sandy and muddy bottoms and is occasionally recorded in brackish waters. It will enters estuaries and is rarely taken in fresh water but the largest individuals are only recorded from marine waters. This carnivorous fish east crustaceans and fishes.[2]

Fisheries

The giant African threadfin is a highly sought after species for commercial and sport fisheries.[3]

Species description

The giant African threadfin was first formally described by Georges Cuvier in Histoire naturelle des poissons. Tome troisième. Suite du Livre troisième. Des percoïdes à dorsale unique à sept rayons branchiaux et à dents en velours ou en cardes co-authored with Achille Valenciennes. The name Cuvier gave it was Polynemus quadrifilis and the type locality was given as Senegal.[4]

References
  1. Carpenter, K.E.; Camara, K.; Djiman, R.; et al. (2015). "Polydactylus quadrifilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T21132355A42691854. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T21132355A42691854.en. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Polydactylus quadrifilis" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. Hiroyuki Motomura & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2004). Threadfins of the World (family Polynemidae): An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Polynemid Species Known to Date (PDF). FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. 3. Food & Agriculture Org.
  4. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Polynemus quadrifilis". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
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