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Ivindo stonebasher (Ivindomyrus marchei) — Mormyridae

Ivindo stonebasher

Ivindomyrus marchei
Family: Mormyridae
LC · Least Concern

The Ivindo stonebasher (Ivindomyrus marchei) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West-Central Africa; Ivindo and Ogooué basins.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Ivindo stonebasher is an African elephantfish of the family Mormyridae from West-Central Africa, including the Ivindo and Ogooué drainages. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a streamlined body with a blunt snout. Like other elephantfishes it generates weak electric fields to orient itself in turbid water, find prey and communicate with conspecifics. As a bottom dweller it feeds on insect larvae and other small invertebrates. Elephantfishes are known for their relatively large brains. The Ivindo stonebasher is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ivindo stonebasher?

The Ivindo stonebasher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Weak electric organ for orientation and communication; a relatively large brain.

Where does the Ivindo stonebasher live?

The Ivindo stonebasher lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. West-Central Africa; Ivindo and Ogooué basins.

How big does the Ivindo stonebasher get?

The Ivindo stonebasher grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Ivindo stonebasher dangerous to humans?

No, the Ivindo stonebasher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ivindo stonebasher edible?

The Ivindo stonebasher is rarely eaten.

More photos

Ivindo stonebasher (Ivindomyrus marchei) — Mormyridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ivindo stonebasher (Ivindomyrus marchei) — Mormyridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ivindo stonebasher (Ivindomyrus marchei) — Mormyridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Sullivan JP, Lavoué S, Hopkins CD (CC BY 4.0)
Ivindo stonebasher (Ivindomyrus marchei) — Mormyridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nestor NGOUA ABA'A, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ivindo stonebasher sourced
Scientific name
Ivindomyrus marchei
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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
West-Central Africa; Ivindo and Ogooué basins. 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
Weak electric organ for orientation and communication; a relatively large brain. 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

More from the family Mormyridae

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