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Mormyrids (Mormyrus rume) — Mormyridae

Mormyrids

Mormyrus rume
Family: Mormyridae
LC · Least Concern

The Mormyrids (Mormyrus rume) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Mormyrus rume is a large African freshwater fish of the elephantfish family (Mormyridae). It has a streamlined, silvery-grey to brownish body, a downward-pointing snout-like mouth and a long dorsal fin. The species can reach about one metre and inhabits rivers, where it uses a weak electric organ to sense its surroundings and locate prey. It feeds mainly on insects and insect larvae taken from the bottom. The electric discharges also play a role in territorial behaviour. The species is of local commercial fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mormyrids?

The Mormyrids has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mormyrids live?

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

How big does the Mormyrids get?

The Mormyrids grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Mormyrids dangerous to humans?

No, the Mormyrids is harmless to humans.

Is the Mormyrids edible?

Yes, the Mormyrids is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Olifantssnuitvis sourced
English name
Mormyrids verified
Scientific name
Mormyrus rume
Family
Mormyridae
Other names
Trunkfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
6.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mormyrus

More from the family Mormyridae

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