Luciocephalus pulcher
Luciocephalus puncher, the pikehead, giant pikehead or crocodile pikehead, is a species of gourami native to the Malaya Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. It inhabits flooded forests, streams, and peat swamps living in areas with plentiful vegetation. It is a predator and lurks for its prey among plants near the water's surface. As the prey is swallowed, the jaw extends to about one-third of the head length. the extended jaw is folded back into place. It is a mouthbrooder. It is a yellowish-brown color with dark brown longitudinal bands and stripes. This species can reach a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade,[2] where it is notoriously difficult to keep; they require extremely soft, acidic water and seldom eat non living foods.
| Luciocephalus pulcher | |
|---|---|
| .jpg.webp) | |
| Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Chordata | 
| Class: | Actinopterygii | 
| Order: | Anabantiformes | 
| Family: | Osphronemidae | 
| Genus: | Luciocephalus | 
| Species: | L. pulcher | 
| Binomial name | |
| Luciocephalus pulcher (J. E. Gray, 1830) | |
| Synonyms | |
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References
    
- Low, B.W. (2019). "Luciocephalus pulcher". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T89808937A89808945. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T89808937A89808945.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Luciocephalus pulcher" in FishBase. February 2014 version.
