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FishBase

Family Mormyridae - Elephantfishes

Order:

Osteoglossiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

No. of Genera:

No. of Species:

198

Environment:

Fresh: Yes Brackish: No Marine: No

Aquarium:

some

First Fossil Record:

Ref.:

Remark:

Distribution: tropical Africa and Nile. Paired and vertical fins all present; narrow caudal peduncle and deeply forked caudal fin. Parasphenoid and tongue with teeth. Branchiostegal rays 6-8. Dorsal fin rays 12-91. Anal fin rays 20-70. Dorsal and anal fins usually opposite each other on posterior part of body. With 37-64 vertebrae. Mouth of highly variable form, often trunklike. Maximum length 1.5 m, usually 9-50 cm. Mormyrids are noted for their large cerebellums and their use of electricity and sound.

Etymology:

Greek, mormyros = a kind of fish ( Ref. 45335).

Division:

Primary freshwater

Reproductive guild:

nonguarders

Typical activity level:

sluggish

Main Ref.:

Nelson, J.S..1994

Coordinator:

Show species | Nominal species list for Mormyridae | Identification keys | CAS specimen photos | References

Update \| Add new Family	Ref.:				Glossary
		( e.g. 9948)				( e.g. cephalopods)