Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Malapteruridae (Electric catfishes)
Etymology: cryptus: From the Greek "kryptos" = hidden or secret, referring to the close superficial resemblance to P. parvus, but differing in sharply elevated vertebral counts (Ref. 44050).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: Kagala River near Aketi (Itimbiri tributary, middle Congo River basin) in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 44050, 78218).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.9 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44050)
Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 44 - 45. Diagnosis: 44-45 vertebrae; caudal saddle and bar pattern absent; 5 pelvic-fin rays; usually a single pore between inner mental barbels; lateral line rarely less than 33% SL, most commonly 33-36% SL; body faintly and sparsely spotted (Ref. 44050).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
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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