Fin's Fish Guide
The Sickle-snouted mormyrid (Mormyrops zanclirostris) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 27 cm.
Fresh water of Central and West Africa (the Congo basin and surroundings), in calm, turbid rivers and creeks.
Description
The sickle-snouted mormyrid is an elongate African fish of the family Mormyridae (elephantfishes) reaching about 27 cm. The brown-black body has a strikingly curved, sickle-shaped snout with an inferior mouth, with which the fish probes the soft bottom and crevices 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 hunts - a kind of 'electric language'. The species comes from the Congo basin and surroundings in Central and West Africa and lives in quiet, turbid rivers and creeks. Mainly at night it hunts insect larvae, worms, crustaceans and small fish. Elephantfishes have a proportionally very large brain mass.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Sickle-snouted mormyrid?
The Sickle-snouted mormyrid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Elongate African elephantfish with a curved, sickle-shaped snout; generates weak electric pulses to orient itself and hunt.
Where does the Sickle-snouted mormyrid live?
The Sickle-snouted mormyrid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh water of Central and West Africa (the Congo basin and surroundings), in calm, turbid rivers and creeks.
How big does the Sickle-snouted mormyrid get?
The Sickle-snouted mormyrid grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.
Is the Sickle-snouted mormyrid dangerous to humans?
No, the Sickle-snouted mormyrid is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Sickle-snouted mormyrid edible?
The Sickle-snouted mormyrid is rarely eaten.
More photos
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Same genus Mormyrops
More from the family Mormyridae
Want the complete picture on the Sickle-snouted mormyrid?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sickle-snouted mormyrid is one of 12,519 species in the app.