Home · Anabantidae · Twospot climbing perch
Twospot climbing perch (Ctenopoma nigropannosum) — Anabantidae

Twospot climbing perch

Ctenopoma nigropannosum
Family: Anabantidae
LC · Least Concern

The Twospot climbing perch (Ctenopoma nigropannosum) is a freshwater fish of the family Anabantidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Twospot climbing perch?

Get the app

Description

Ctenopoma nigropannosum is an African labyrinth fish of the family Anabantidae from the Congo basin and surrounding waters. The species has an elongate, brownish body and reaches about 15 cm. Like other labyrinth fishes it has an accessory breathing organ that lets it gulp air at the surface, an adaptation to oxygen-poor water. It is an ambush predator hunting insects, crustaceans and small fishes in vegetated, slow-flowing waters. The species is oviparous. Owing to its secretive habits, little detailed information is available on its precise reproduction and lifespan.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twospot climbing perch?

The Twospot climbing perch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Labyrinth organ for air breathing; stalking predator in oxygen-poor water.

Where does the Twospot climbing perch live?

The Twospot climbing perch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa.

How big does the Twospot climbing perch get?

The Twospot climbing perch grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Twospot climbing perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Twospot climbing perch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Twospot climbing perch edible?

The Twospot climbing perch is not usually eaten.

More photos

Twospot climbing perch (Ctenopoma nigropannosum) — Anabantidae — 2
Gabon Biodiversity Collection - Poisson (Fish) (GBC-Poisson) (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — GBC
Twospot climbing perch (Ctenopoma nigropannosum) — Anabantidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Twospot climbing perch (Ctenopoma nigropannosum) — Anabantidae — 4
Gabon Biodiversity Collection - Poisson (Fish) (GBC-Poisson) (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — GBC
Twospot climbing perch (Ctenopoma nigropannosum) — Anabantidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Twospot climbing perch?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Twospot climbing perch is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Twospot climbing perch verified
Scientific name
Ctenopoma nigropannosum
Family
Anabantidae
Other names
Twospot ctenopoma verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, crustaceans and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Labyrinth organ for air breathing; stalking predator in oxygen-poor water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ctenopoma

More from the family Anabantidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Twospot climbing perch?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Twospot climbing perch is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Twospot climbing perch? Get the app