African Pike Characin

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 45-49. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from all other Hepsetus species by the following unique combination of characters: number of lateral line scales low, 43–51; nostril-lower jaw distance short, 36.6–42.1% of head length; number of gill rakers high, 17–23; number of scales between dorsal fin and lateral line 7.5-9.5; number of scales between adipose fin and lateral line 4.5-6.5; head width broad, 32.8–42.3% of head length; and internasal distance high, 21.9–28.3% of head length (Ref. 88135).