Copyright. Phago loricatus, do not use outside OPEFE without permission.WELCOME TO OPEFE ARCHIVES

Subfamily Ichthyoborinae

 

genus Phago

 

Pike Characin

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM FRANK MAGALLANES

 

I will be discussing only the species Phago loricatus  which was known to me originally as Phago maculatus is very nasty little predator, Phago locatus is a fin-biter found in Africa. There are 3 or 4 species of Phago growing to about 160 mm SL and have unique teeth that are compressed and tricuspid, very trenchant and set close together. This structure of teeth allows them to cut the fins of other, sometimes, larger fishes. Their "beak" resembles scissors which move upward when the mandible goes down.

 

Their body are pike-like along with their other relatives in genera Eugnathichthys, Belonophago, Icthyoborus, and Phago. Another peculiarity of Phago is the scales, which are rugose, with a median spine forming a sort of longitudinal crest, giving somewhat the aspect of the osseous plates of a seahorse.

 

The species have a fusiform body shape, their fins are barred as in most other genera, and their elongate body is usually spotted. A 10 gallon aquarium should be sufficient for this little monster. They will kill (or at least fin-nip to death) any fish placed into the aquarium with them. They kill largely for sport. Found in West Africa in the Niger River this fish is best kept alone as a single species. The temperature requirements are 72° F to 82°F. They are not sexually dimorphic. They require live food or they will not survive in the home aquarium. They quickly starve to death if not kept well-fed.

 

Not a suitable fish for the beginner.

Phago loricatus

syn: Phago maculatus

 

Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal soft rays: 8 – 9. Body depth 6.5-8.7x SL, head length 3.7-4.5x SL. Head 2.9-3.8 x longer than wide. Eye 4-5.3x, snout 2.4-2.8x head length. Anterior cuspid of external bicuspid row well developed, internal conical row smaller than external row of teeth. Caudal peduncle 6.1-8.6 x longer than high. Thick scales vertically elongated. 3-5 vertical black stripes on dorsal formed by small black spots. 2-3 brown-black oblique stripes on caudal fin. Sides uniformly colored or marked with vertical spots on lateral line generally joint on posterior end. Feeds on large insects and fish

 

CURRENT SPECIES LIST AND DISTRIBUTION - 2007

Phago boulengeri

Schilthuis, 1891

Kinshasa, Stanley Pool, upper Congo R, near Brazzaville, Zaire

Phago intermedius

Boulenger, 1899

Africa: Congo basin

Phago loricatus

Günther, 1865

Africa: basins Lower Niger, Bénoué, Ouémé, Ogun and Wouri

 

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