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Pharaoh elephantfish (Myomyrus pharao) — Mormyridae

Pharaoh elephantfish

Myomyrus pharao
Family: Mormyridae
VU · Vulnerable

The Pharaoh elephantfish (Myomyrus pharao) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 30 cm.

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

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Description

The pharaoh elephantfish is an elephantfish (Mormyridae) from Central Africa. The species has an elongate, dark body with a down-curved snout. Like its relatives it generates a field with a weak electric organ in the tail with which it orients and communicates in turbid water. It lives bottom-bound in rivers and searches the sediment for insect larvae and small invertebrates. Through habitat loss it is considered vulnerable. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pharaoh elephantfish?

The Pharaoh elephantfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Downward-curved snout and a weak electric organ; vulnerable elephantfish of the Congo basin.

Where does the Pharaoh elephantfish live?

The Pharaoh elephantfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Africa; rivers.

How big does the Pharaoh elephantfish get?

The Pharaoh elephantfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Pharaoh elephantfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Pharaoh elephantfish edible?

The Pharaoh elephantfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Pharaoh elephantfish sourced
Scientific name
Myomyrus pharao
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae and small invertebrates from the sediment 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
Downward-curved snout and a weak electric organ; vulnerable elephantfish of the Congo basin. 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 Myomyrus

More from the family Mormyridae

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