Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Malapteruridae (Electric catfishes)
Etymology: Malapterurus: Greek, mala = a lot of + Greek, pteron = fin + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335); melanochir: From the Greek "melas" = dark and "cheir" = hand, in reference to the dusky pectoral fin characteristic for the species (Ref. 44050).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: middle and upper Congo River basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 78218).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 98.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44050)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 42 - 45. Diagnosis: tooth patches broad; obliquely angled pectoral fins positioned low on body; 43-45 vertebrae; 9-11 anal-fin rays; eyes round; body relatively darkly pigmented; larger specimens with dusky pectoral and pelvic fin rays (Ref. 44050).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Norris, S.M., 2002. A revision of the African electric catfishes, family Malapteruridae (Teleostei, Siluriformes), with erection of a new genus and descriptions of fourteen new species, and an annotated bibliography. Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr., Sci. Zool., 289:1-155. (Ref. 44050)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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