Teleostei (teleosts) >
Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues) >
Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Etymology: Petrocephalus: Latin, petra = stone + Greek, kephale = head (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: Boro River in central part of Okavango Delta (Ref. 91771). Also reported from the Okavango in Angola (Ref. 120641).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.9 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 91771)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 22; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 27 - 31. Diagnosis: Body depth 32.7-36.8% of standard length; anal fin length 23.5-27.0% of standard length; eye diameter as defined by orbital rims 21.8-25.0% of head length; length of snout to posterior orbital rim of eye 44.9-48.1% of head length; number of dorsal fin rays 19-22; number of scales in lateral line 39-41 (Ref. 91771). No spot below dorsal fin origin (Ref. 91771).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Found in a shallow floodplain lagoon; substrate is mud; vegetation is dense emergent grasses and water lilies (Nymphea sp.); water depth up to 2 m; lagoon flooded during winter flood cycle and dry during the low water period (Ref. 91771).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kramer, B., R. Bills, P. Skelton and M. Wink, 2012. A critical revision of the churchill snoutfish, genus Petrocephalus Marcusen, 1854 (Actinopterygii: Teleostei: Mormyridae), from southern and eastern Africa, with the recognition of Petrocephalus tanensis, and the description of five new species. Journal of Natural History 46(35-36):2179-2258. (Ref. 91771)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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