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Cassai elephantfish (Campylomormyrus cassaicus) — Mormyridae

Cassai elephantfish

Campylomormyrus cassaicus
Family: Mormyridae

The Cassai elephantfish (Campylomormyrus cassaicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cassai elephantfish is a weakly electric elephantfish (Mormyridae) from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, dark-grey body with a long, downward-curved, tubular snout with which it probes the bottom for prey. With a weak electric organ in the tail it explores turbid water and communicates with conspecifics; the current cannot be felt by humans. It searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cassai elephantfish?

The Cassai elephantfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Cassai elephantfish live?

The Cassai elephantfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cassai elephantfish get?

The Cassai elephantfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Cassai elephantfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cassai elephantfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cassai-olifantsvis sourced
English name
Cassai elephantfish sourced
Scientific name
Campylomormyrus cassaicus
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Campylomormyrus

More from the family Mormyridae

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