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Curvedsnout elephantfish (Campylomormyrus curvirostris) — Mormyridae

Curvedsnout elephantfish

Campylomormyrus curvirostris
Family: Mormyridae
LC · Least Concern

The Curvedsnout elephantfish (Campylomormyrus curvirostris) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
40.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; rivers of the Congo basin.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The curvedsnout elephantfish is an African elephantfish of the family Mormyridae from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, dark body with a conspicuously long, downward-curved, trunk-like snout, to which the name refers; with it it probes crevices and soft sediment for food. Like other elephantfishes it generates weak electric fields to orient itself in turbid water, find prey and communicate. As a bottom dweller it feeds on insect larvae and small invertebrates. Elephantfishes are known for their relatively large brains. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Curvedsnout elephantfish?

The Curvedsnout elephantfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long, downward-bent trunk-like snout for probing food from crevices; weak electric organ.

Where does the Curvedsnout elephantfish live?

The Curvedsnout elephantfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Africa; rivers of the Congo basin.

How big does the Curvedsnout elephantfish get?

The Curvedsnout elephantfish grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Curvedsnout elephantfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Curvedsnout elephantfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Curvedsnout elephantfish edible?

The Curvedsnout elephantfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Curvedsnout elephantfish (Campylomormyrus curvirostris) — Mormyridae — 2
Dave Cooper (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Curvedsnout elephantfish (Campylomormyrus curvirostris) — Mormyridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — J. Green (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Curvedsnout elephantfish sourced
Scientific name
Campylomormyrus curvirostris
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
40.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Central Africa; rivers of the Congo basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Long, downward-bent trunk-like snout for probing food from crevices; weak electric organ. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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