Erpetoichthys calabaricus
reedfish
(Also: rope fish; ropefish; snakefish)

Erpetoichthys calabaricus is distributed solely in tropical Africa, where it occupies habitats ranging from flowing rivers to flood plains and internal river deltas.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus resides in the muddy/silty rivers of Africa, where, because of the muddy water, there is poor visibility.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus has a snake-like appearance, with a yellow ventral surface and greenish black dorsal surface. This species has specialized scales, which are called ganoid scales, and it has nostrils or nares on tentacles that protrude from the head. Also on the head are passive electroreceptive organs(ampullae). This species also has one-rayed dorsal finlets instead of a singular dorsal fin.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus has no defined social system, although they tend to congregate when they are in an aquarium. In terms of behavior, their skill at capturing prey is quite interesting. This species can sense electric cues (from the gills of small crustaceans and fish) in their environment with ampullae (electroreceptors) and use this information for prey capture.

Erpetoichthys clabaricus is an omnivore. While it mainly feeds on small crustaceans, insects, and small fish, it will also sometimes feed on dead organisms and algae or other plant materials.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus is used in the small pet trade.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus is not endangered, although it is limited to a fairly small number of rivers.

One very interesting and quite remarkable things of this species is its primitive lungs. With these lungs, Erpetoichthys calabaricus can live up to eight hours out of the water if its skin is kept moist.