| Family: |
Mormyridae (Elephantfishes) |
| Max. size: |
12.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Okavango River and delta, Kwando River and upper Zambezi in Angola, Namibia and Botswana (Ref. 119538). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-33; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 21-24. Diagnosis: For distinguishing between specimens of Cyphomyrus discorhynchus and C. cubangoensis, the most useful anatomical characters are: longer dorsal fin length, longer anal fin length, higher nymber of dorsal fin rays and anal fins rays, and a higher caudal peduncle depth in relation to caudal peduncle length in C. discorhynchus than in C. cubangoensis (Ref. 119538).
Description: Head broadly rounded, lower jaw protruding less forward than upper, with inferior mouth and chin with a short bulbous protuberance; deep body laterally compressed, with arched back (Ref. 119538). Teeth in upper jaw 4-5; teeth in lower jaw 6 (Ref. 122874). Long dorsal fin, number of dorsal fin rays 28-33, originating clearly in front of anal fin, number of anal fin rays 21-24; dorsal and anal fins obliquely orientated with anterior portion higher than posterior portion; usually dark band from dorsal to anal fin; pectoral-fin rays 11; pelvic-fin rays 6 (Ref. 119538, 122874). Scales extending anteriorly to operculum and pectoral fins; scales on lateral line 59-71; circumpeduncular scales 10-12; scales between dorsal and anal fins 25-28; scales between dorsal fin and lateral line 13-15; scales between pelvic fin and lateral line 13-15 (Ref. 119538, 122874). Caudal peduncle slender and subcylindrical over the entire length, usually slightly less than one-quarter of standard length; tail fin with broadly rounded lobes (Ref. 119538). EOD bipolar and tetraphasic, of 220-385 µs duration (Ref. 119538).
Colouration: Colour in preservation in various shades from ochre to brown; dark band from dorsal to anal fin usually fading with conservation time in alcohol (Ref. 119538). |
| Biology: |
Adult specimens prefer larger river channels with soft bottom; small specimens also found in rocky environment; shoaling species (Ref. 119538). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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