Diagnosis: Polypterus senegalus is characterized by jaws of equal length or an upper jaw slightly longer than lower jaw and a pectoral fin not reaching the first dorsal ray (Ref. 2756, 2835, 42908, 43035, 81263).

Description: Polypterus senegalus senegalus has a cylindrical or faintly depressed body; its height comprised 7,1 to 10,6 times in body length and head length 5 to 7 times in body length (Ref. 2835, 42908, 81263). Head not flattened, 1,6 to 2 times longer than broad; snout acuminate and upper jaw faintly prominent or jaws of equal length; interorbital region convex; eye diameter comprised 5 to 8 times in head length (Ref. 1989, 2756, 2835, 81263). Dorsal fin with 8-11 rays, anteriorly separated from each other when folded, followed by 16-18 dorsal and caudal articulated rays; anal fin with 14-17 rays; pectoral fin rounded, not getting the level of the first dorsal ray (Ref. 2835, 42908, 81263). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 53-61 in lateral line, 34-40 around body in front of dorsal fin and 14-21 predorsal scales; lateral line scales simply perforated, not grooved, without posterior notched border (Ref. 2835, 42908, 81263). Polypterus senegalus meridionalis has a cylindrical or subcylindrical body; its height comprised 7 to 9 times in body length and head length 4,5 to 6,8 times in body length (Ref. 43035). Head not flattened, 1,5 to 1,75 times longer than broad; snout acuminate and upper jaw faintly prominent or jaws of equal length; eye diameter comprised 4,25 to 8 times in head length (Ref. 43035). Dorsal fin with 9-10 rays, anteriorly separated from each other when folded; anal fin with 14-17 rays; pectoral fin not getting the level of the first dorsal ray (Ref. 42908, 43035). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 55-58 in lateral line, 34-36 around body in front of dorsal fin and 15-20 predorsal scales; lateral line scales perforated, not grooved, without posterior notched border (Ref. 42908, 43035).

Colouration: In alcohol, Polypterus senegalus senegalus with upper part of body uniformly grey or olive-coloured, belly whitish; young specimens with three longitudinal dark stripes on the flanks, which disappear at an early age; fins grey-coloured (Ref. 367, 2835, 81263). Polypterus senegalus meridionalis with upper part of body uniformly olive-grey coloured; juveniles with three longitudinal black stripes on the flanks (Ref. 43035, 44841).