Hingemouth Explained

The hingemouth (Phractolaemus ansorgii) is a small freshwater fish that is found only in west central Africa, the sole member of the family Phractolaemidae of the family Kneriidae.

The mouth can extend like a small trunk, thus the name, and has just two teeth, both in the lower jaw. Its mouth can extend up to 30% of the hingemouth's head length. It has highly flexible lips, and its mouth is mainly supported by cartilage and other connective tissues.[1] The swim bladder has two compartments, and can function as a lung, allowing the hingemouth to survive in oxygen-poor environments.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Evans . Allyson J. . Naylor . Emily R. . Lujan . Nathan K. . Kawano . Sandy M. . Hernandez . L. Patricia . June 2024 . Deploy the proboscis!: Functional morphology and kinematics of a novel form of extreme jaw protrusion in the hingemouth, Phractolaemus ansorgii (Gonorynchiformes) . Journal of Anatomy . en . 244 . 6 . 929–942 . 10.1111/joa.14020 . 0021-8782 . 11095310 . 38308591. February 3, 2026 .
  2. Book: Paxton, J.R. . Eschmeyer, W.N.. Banister, Keith F.. 1998. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Academic Press. San Diego. 97. 0-12-547665-5.