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Speckled stonebasher (Stomatorhinus puncticulatus) — Mormyridae

Speckled stonebasher

Stomatorhinus puncticulatus
Family: Mormyridae
LC · Least Concern

The Speckled stonebasher (Stomatorhinus puncticulatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa, in rivers and streams of the Congo basin.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Stomatorhinus puncticulatus is a small African elephantfish (family Mormyridae) of the Congo basin. The species reaches about 9 cm and has a stocky, dark body with a small mouth and small eyes. Like other mormyrids it has a weak electric organ with which it orients itself in turbid water, locates prey and communicates with conspecifics. It lives near the bottom in rivers and streams and feeds on insect larvae and small bottom invertebrates. The species is active mainly at night and is harmless to humans. Little is known in detail about its reproduction.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Speckled stonebasher?

The Speckled stonebasher has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Small elephantfish that scans its surroundings with a weak electric organ.

Where does the Speckled stonebasher live?

The Speckled stonebasher lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Africa, in rivers and streams of the Congo basin.

How big does the Speckled stonebasher get?

The Speckled stonebasher grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Speckled stonebasher dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled stonebasher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Speckled stonebasher edible?

The Speckled stonebasher is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Speckled stonebasher sourced
Scientific name
Stomatorhinus puncticulatus
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Natural range
Central Africa, in rivers and streams of the Congo basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small elephantfish that scans its surroundings with a weak electric organ. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Stomatorhinus

More from the family Mormyridae

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