Fin's Fish Guide
The Parrot stonebasher (Hippopotamyrus psittacus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 20 cm.
Fresh water of Central Africa, in the Congo basin, in calm, turbid rivers and creeks with soft bottoms.
Description
The parrot stonebasher is a dark African fish of the family Mormyridae (elephantfishes) reaching about 20 cm. The stocky, brown-black body has a blunt, parrot-like snout with an inferior mouth with which the fish searches the soft bottom for prey. Like all elephantfishes it generates weak electric pulses with an organ in the tail; with them it orients in turbid water, recognises conspecifics and communicates - a kind of 'electric language'. The species comes from the Congo basin in Central Africa and lives in quiet, turbid rivers and creeks. Mainly at night it hunts insect larvae, worms and small crustaceans. Elephantfishes have a proportionally very large brain mass, linked to their electric sense.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Parrot stonebasher?
The Parrot stonebasher is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Dark African elephantfish with a blunt, parrot-like snout; generates weak electric pulses to orientate and communicate.
Where does the Parrot stonebasher live?
The Parrot stonebasher lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh water of Central Africa, in the Congo basin, in calm, turbid rivers and creeks with soft bottoms.
How big does the Parrot stonebasher get?
The Parrot stonebasher grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.
Is the Parrot stonebasher dangerous to humans?
No, the Parrot stonebasher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Parrot stonebasher edible?
The Parrot stonebasher is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Hippopotamyrus
More from the family Mormyridae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Parrot stonebasher is one of 12,519 species in the app.