| Family: |
Mormyridae (Elephantfishes) |
| Max. size: |
33 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 458.0 g |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater, potamodromous |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Nile (delta to Bahr-el-Jebel), Niger (Lower Niger and Benoué) and Chad basins (Ref. 3203, 81274).Also reported from the Albert Nile and Aswa River (White Nile basin) in Uganda and from the upper Congo (Ref. 4903), but the latter seems outside the species distribution area and is questionable. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-31; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 30-37. Diagnosis: teeth small and conical (Ref. 4903, 81274), arranged in a single series confined to the middle of each jaw, 5-6 in both jaws (Ref. 4903). 16(-18) scales around caudal peduncle (Ref. 4903, 81274). Body depth 3.0-4.7 times in standard length; anal-fin base 0.7-0.9 times in dorsal-fin base (Ref. 81274). Head length 4-5.5 times in SL; upper head profile gently curved; snout 1/3-1/4 length of head; eye 1/2-2/3 length of snout; mouth small, a globular, fleshy swelling on the chin (Ref. 4903). Dorsal fin beginning slightly behind level of anal fin-origin (Ref. 2915, 81274), above the the 6th-9th anal fin ray (Ref. 4903) and comprising 25-31 rays (Ref. 2915, 4903, 81274). 70-92 lateral-line scales (Ref. 4903, 81274). Caudal-peduncle 2.0-3.4 times longer than deep (Ref. 2915, 4903, 81274). Caudal fin partly covered with small scales, its lobes pointed (Ref. 4903).
Coloration: silvery-grey, sometimes dark grey to blackish (Ref. 81274) or dark bluish-green dorsally (Ref. 4903). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits lakes, lagoons, reservoirs and (irrigation) canals; a bottom feeding insectivore; breeds during the flood season and enters the floodplain for this purpose (Ref. 28714). Shows three 'preferred' modes of intervals between electric organ discharges (inter-EOD) when at rest: 10-35 ms, 50-120 ms and 200-350 ms (Ref. 10833). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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