Do Congo tetras have teeth?

Where do fishers live in the Congo?

Other fisherfolk of the marshes dwell in the lagoons and the flooded forests of the region where the confluence of the Congo and the Alima, Likouala, and Sangha occurs. Enya (Wagenia) fishing in the rapids of the Congo River near Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Why are there so many snakes in the Congo River?

The Congo River and its tributaries are a key habitat for them, he says, with snakes hunting for fish and birds along the banks. Nsingi was trained by Marcel Collet, a Belgian herpetologist, and keeps snakes for use in Congo’s struggling anti-venom program — a severely underfunded entity.

Where to fish in the Congo?

Increasingly numerous fishing crews sail up the Congo, the Ubangi, and the Kasai, well above their confluences, to fish in the shallows. The Congo is an important navigational system in Africa.

Why is the Congo River so important to Africa?

Due to its size and other key elements, the Congo River and its basin are crucial to the ecological balance of an entire continent.

What kind of tetras are the most beautiful?

The Longfin tetras (Brycinus longipinnis) are some of the most beautiful tetras form the tetra family. The longfin tetras are native to Africa. And these fish have long dorsal and anal fins. The longfin tetra has rose color in its body. And its fins of the longfin tetra are clear white.

How many animals live in the Congo Basin?

400 species of mammals, 700 fish species, and 1,000 species of birds also live in the Congo Basin. The Congo Basin also has been inhabited by humans for more than 50,000 years and currently sustains over 75 million people including people of about 150 ethnic groups.

Why are there blind fish in the Congo River?

The lower Congo River’s depths have made it a natural lab for convergent evolution, yielding fish with unexpected features. Blind fish from lower Congo River. Credit… In 2007, fishermen living along the lower Congo, the deepest river on Earth, brought Melanie Stiassny a fish.

Can you catch a fish in the Congo River?

Fisherman Guy Inagosi, 56, casts his net into the Congo River. Fisherman Guy Inagosi, 56, casts his net into the Congo River. Fisherman Guy Inagosi, 56, casts his net into the Congo River. The Congo River is home to 400 species of fish. So why can’t anyone catch them? Fisherman Guy Inagosi, 56, casts his net into the Congo River.

What makes the Congo River so special?

Fishes in the lower Congo River. An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution In its lower reaches the Congo River is the world’s fastest and deepest river, and this short stretch hosts great biological diversity.

How often do fish breed in the Congo?

The onset of the rainy season signals the beginning of breeding for river fishes. This happens twice a year, the most important for Congolese fishes being during the major rainy season (September-October in general), with a second, lesser breeding period during the rainy season from April to June.

Are there Bichir fish in the Congo?

The Congo drainage is home to ten species of bichirs. Many here have a mottled pattern on their bodies, with Polypterus ornatipinnis the most colourful species. Like many other polypterids, the river’s Polypterus will eat smaller fishes and should only be kept with medium to large tank mates.

Why is the Congo River important to Africa?

The Congo River is an important transport route in a part of Africa that has few roads or railways. There are currently about 40 hydropower dams in the Congo Basin with a huge potential for growth because the river has the second highest flow volume in world after the Amazon.

What is the biodiversity of the Congo River basin?

Its freshwater supports the Basin’s biodiversity. The Congo River’s waters support hundreds of species of fish as well as providing water for land animals. So far 700 fish species have been identified, with large sections still unstudied. This is the highest level of biodiversity in any African river system.

Why are there no cities on the Congo River?

That is why only in modern times the Congo, Amazon or Orinoco flow have had significant cities attached to their shores. Also of note, the first hundred or so miles of the Congo is not navigable due to the Kristal Mountain rapids. This gradient is nearly 300 meter high, unheard of for a very large river anywhere else.

Is the Congo River the deepest river on the planet?

Lamprologus lethops, a fish that lives in the lower Congo River, is pale and blind like fish that dwell in caves deep underwater. (Image credit: Courtesy of Melanie Stiassny) SAN FRANCISCO — A mysterious case of dying fish in the lower Congo River helped scientists discover that this body is the deepest river on the planet.

Why are there so many fish in the Congo’s rivers?

The complexity and power of the currents are the key to the evolutionary richness of the lower Congo, she said. This hostile environment keeps breeding populations of fish separated in isolated pockets of water, and resulted in the evolution of new species.

What happened to Congo’s ‘blind fish’?

The first signs of the lower Congo’s bizarre fish populations were discovered when the local fishing community noticed that the ‘blind cichlid’, Lamprologus lethops (which lacks pigment and has skin-covered eyes) was only found dead or dying washed up on the shore.

How many animals live in the Congo?

There are approximately 10, 000 species of tropical plants in the Congo Basin and 30 percent are unique to the region. Endangered wildlife, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, bonobos, and lowland and mountain gorillas inhabit the lush forests. 400 other species of mammals, 1,000 species of birds and 700 species of fish can also be found here.

How many people live in the Congo Basin?

The Congo Basin also has been inhabited by humans for more than 50,000 years and currently sustains over 75 million people including people of about 150 ethnic groups. Sadly, it is the activities of these human inhabitants of the Congo Basin that has threatened the life of the flora and fauna residing here.

What is the Congo River used for Today?

Large river steamers worked the river until quite recently. The Congo River still is a lifeline in a land with few roads or railways. Railways now bypass the three major falls, and much of the trade of Central Africa passes along the river, including copper, palm oil (as kernels), sugar, coffee, and cotton.

Does the Congo River flow clockwise or counterclockwise?

The River Congo (1979), p. 6. “Not until it crosses the equator will it at last turn away from this misleading course and, describing a remarkable counter-clockwise arc first to the west and then to the southwest, flow back across the equator and on down to the Atlantic. In this the Congo is exceptional.

What was the territorial control of Congo along the Congo River?

Its territorial control along the river remained limited to what corresponds to the modern Bas-Congo province.

How many fish are there in the Congo River?

New fish species are scientifically described with some regularity from the Congo River Basin and many undescribed species are known. The Congo has by far the highest diversity of any African river system; in comparison, the next richest are the Niger, Volta and Nile with about 240, 140 and 130 fish species, respectively.

What kind of fish can you catch in the Congo River?

Keep in mind that twilight is considered the best time for going after a range of fish species, such as Crappie, Channel Catfish, Walleye and many others. Weaving across the very heart of Africa and through the impenetrable equatorial rainforest, the vibrant Congo River is the deepest and most voluminous on the continent.

When is the best time to go fishing in Congo?

This happens twice a year, the most important for Congolese fishes being during the major rainy season (September-October in general), with a second, lesser breeding period during the rainy season from April to June.

What is the main source of energy for the Congo?

Hydro-electric power. The Congo River is the most powerful river in Africa. During the rainy season over 50,000 cubic metres (1,800,000 cu ft) of water per second flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Opportunities for the Congo River and its tributaries to generate hydropower are therefore enormous.