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Hauleville's stonebasher (Petrocephalus haullevillii) — Mormyridae

Hauleville's stonebasher

Petrocephalus haullevillii
Family: Mormyridae

The Hauleville's stonebasher (Petrocephalus haullevillii) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Hauleville's stonebasher is a weakly electric elephantfish (Mormyridae) from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, dark body with a small, blunt head. With a weak electric organ it explores turbid water at night and keeps contact with conspecifics; the current cannot be felt by humans. It searches for worms, insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hauleville's stonebasher?

The Hauleville's stonebasher has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Hauleville's stonebasher live?

The Hauleville's stonebasher lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Hauleville's stonebasher get?

The Hauleville's stonebasher grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Hauleville's stonebasher dangerous to humans?

No, the Hauleville's stonebasher is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Haullevilles olifantvis sourced
English name
Hauleville's stonebasher sourced
Scientific name
Petrocephalus haullevillii
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Petrocephalus

More from the family Mormyridae

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