Ophisternon afrum (Guinea swamp eel)

(Source: Fishbase, 2019)

Scientific Name: Ophisternon afrum

Common Name: Guinea swamp eel

Genus: Ophisternon

Species: afrum

Ijaw Name: Toru-Ogbo

Family: Synbranchidae

Habitat: Rivers

Gear Type: Fishing Nets

Season of Occurrence: Raining season

Description: The African Swamp Eel has a long, cylindrical body that is bare and strongly compressed toward the rear. It lacks paired fins, with dorsal and anal fins reduced to thin folds that merge into the caudal fin. Adults are dark in color, almost black, while juveniles appear lighter. This species, found in African coastal rivers and swamps, has a unique ability to breathe air and can survive in low-oxygen environments, often digging burrows where males guard their young.