| Main Ref. | Gosse, J.P. and J. Daget, 2003 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | other |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | none |
| Body shape lateral | elongated |
| Cross section | circular |
| Dorsal head profile | more or less straight |
| Type of eyes | more or less normal |
| Type of mouth/snout | more or less normal |
| Position of mouth | terminal |
| Type of scales | ganoid scales |
| Diagnosis |
Diagnosis: Polypterus ansorgii is distinguished from other species of the genus by its two jaws of equal length and its dorsal fin set forward, only separated from the head by 11 to 13 scales (Ref. 2835, 81263). Description: Subcylindrical body (Ref. 2756, 42908); body height comprised 7,5 to 8 times in total length and head length 4 to 4,8 times (Ref. 81263). Upper and lower jaw of equal length (Ref. 2835, 3032, 42908). Dorsal fin with 13 to 15 deeply notched rays (Ref. 2835, 3032, 81263). Pectoral fin longer than vertical through first dorsal ray (Ref. 2756). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 55-62 in longitudinal line; 42-46 around body; 11-13 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, 3032, 42908, 81263). Colouration: The colour is greenish-black with large black blotches on the flanks (Ref. 3023). Body mottled with black on preserved specimens (Ref. 2835, 81263). |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | 1 Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | 55 - 62 |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | |
| Scale rows below lateral line | |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | 0 |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | |
| on upper limb | |
| total | |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | continuous with caudal fin |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 13 - 15 |
| Soft-rays total | 0 - 0 |
| Adipose fin | absent |
| Attributes | more or less truncate; more or less normal |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 0 - 0 |
| Soft-rays total | 12 - 14 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 41 - 41 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
| Position abdominal behind origin of D1 | |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 12 - 12 |