| Family: |
Mormyridae (Elephantfishes) |
| Max. size: |
17.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Cunene River (Ref. 85059, 120641, 128501), from the Ruacana Falls downstream to above Epupa Falls, in Namibia (Ref. 85059) and Angola (Ref. 85059, 120641). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-25. Diagnosis: Hippopotamyrus longilateralis can be distinguished by following characters: distance from dorsal fin origin to end of caudal peduncle 37.9-41.7% of standard length; predorsal length 61.2-64.9% of standard length; distance from tip of snout to anal fin origin 59.0-62.7% of standard length; caudal peduncle length 19.5-22.0% of standard length; head length 19.2-22.8% of standard length; snout length 45.7-54.8% of head length; body depth 20.3-24.5% of standard length; number of dorsal fin rays 18-21; number of anal fin rays 22-25; number of scales in a linear series along the lateral line row 74-80; number of scales around caudal peduncle 19-22; and bipolar, pentaphasic waveform of EOD pulse (Ref. 85059).
Description Head broadly rounded with a terminally positioned mouth, lower jaw protruding less forward than upper; body long and slender, laterally compressed (Ref. 85059). Dorsal fin origin set far back and behind that of anal fin, situated about two-thirds of standard length from snout, obliquely orientated with anterior portion of the fin higher than the posterior portion; number of dorsal fin rays 18-21; anal fin opposite dorsal fin but origin further anterior and also obliquely orientated, anteriorly lower and posteriorly higher, margin broadly rounded; number of anal fin rays 22-25 (Ref. 85059). Scales cycloid with reticulate striae, except in centre, extending anteriorly to operculum and pectoral fins; scales around caudal peduncle 19-22 (Ref. 85059). Caudal peduncle slender and subcylindrical over the entire length, usually slightly less than one-fifth in standard length; tail fin with broadly rounded lobes (Ref. 85059). EOD bipolar and pentaphasic, duration of the two main phases about 230 µs but whole pulse may last up to 5 milliseconds because of weak pre- and post-potentials (Ref. 85059).
Colouration: Dark brown with a vertical black band from dorsal origin that is only weak in most specimens (Ref. 85059). Colour in preservation dark to medium brown, often with milky-grey hue, especially where opaque 'mormyrid skin' is present (Ref. 85059). |
| Biology: |
Found along well-vegetated and steep banks of the river; they therefore possibly prefer undercut banks with structure such as roots (Ref. 85059). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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