Teleostei (teleosts) >
Synbranchiformes (Spiny eels) >
Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels)
Etymology: Mastacembelus: Greek, mastax, -agos = bite + Greek, emballo = to throw oneself (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: A Seiter was the the operator of the ferry across the Sanaga River at Nachtigal, Cameroon. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: endemic to the Sanaga River basin in Cameroon (Ref. 81678).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 37.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81678)
Dorsal spines (total): 30 - 33; Dorsal soft rays (total): 84 - 98; Anal soft rays: 78 - 89; Vertebrae: 91 - 94. Diagnosis: 29+1 - 32+1 (median 31+1) dorsal spines; postorbital length 60.9-65.0% HL (mean 62.8%); pectoral fin 23.1-27.2% HL (mean 25.2%); distance from anterior border of snout to last externally visible dorsal spine relatively long, 55.6-59.9% SL (mean 58.2%), decreasing with size; origin of soft dorsal fin at about same level as origin of soft anal fin; lower jaw relatively short, its length 14.4-23.1% HL (mean 18.3%), increasing with size; anterior origin of first dorsal spine situated before or just above posterior edge of pectoral fin, (- 12.2)-0.0% HL [mean (- 5.7%)]; distance from gill opening to dorsal pectoral fin base 4.3-9.6% HL (mean 6.9%) (Ref. 81678).
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like.
Inhabits slow streams with sandy bottoms (Ref. 6060). Maximum reported total length 392 mm (Ref. 81678).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Travers, R.A., G. Eynikel and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde, 1986. Mastacembelidae. p. 415-427. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 6060)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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