Order : Anabantiformes
Family : OSPHRONEMIDAE
Species : Luciocephalus pulcher

Maximum length (excluding tail fin) : 20 cm
(Fishbase, 2026)

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Luciocephalus pulcher (Malayan Pikehead) inhabits acidic, freshwater swamps and clear, forest streams.

It is easily identified by its elongate body shape, and the attractive lines and spots which adorn the lower part of its flanks. The eye is bisected by a horizontal line which contributes to the camouflage.

Adults often lie motionless in midwater waiting for their prey - mainly other fishes - to pass nearby. Once within range the pikefish will extend its lips and jaws to nearly a third of its body length, and quickly engulf its victim. Its highly evolved mouthparts are also used for another purpose - protecting the young which are reared in the mouth space.

Luciocephalus pulcher ranges from at least Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to parts of Indonesia.

Fig 1 : Example in degraded freshwater swamp forest habitat near Gunung Panti, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia in 2004. The area has since been converted to a palm oil plantation.

Fig 2 : Degraded freshwater swamp forest habitat near Gunung Panti, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia in 2004.  

Fig 3 : Example in an acidic, freshwater swamp forest stream in Singapore, lying motionless at the surface,


References :

Ho Jonathan K. I., Sorain J. Ramchunder, Andrew Memory, Meryl Theng, Li Tianjiao, Esther Clews, Cai Yixiong, Tan Heok Hui & Darren C. J. Yeo. (2016). A Guide to the Freshwater Fauna of Nee Soon Swamp Forest.  Singapore: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum & Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore. 139 pp.