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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Elephantnose fish

Gnathonemus petersii Günther, 1862
Gnathonemus Petersii (Gnathonemus petersii)
Gnathonemus Petersii (Gnathonemus petersii)
Max Length
35 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
38.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Occurs close to the bottom where it probes for food with the long snout. Territorial and usually aggressive towards members of its own species. This behavior has been shown to involve electric organ discharge (EOD) activity . Feeds mostly at night on worms and insects , probably aided by electro-sensory inputs . Electroreceptors are distributed over the entire head, the dorsal and ventral regions of the body, but absent from the side and the caudal peduncle where the electric organ is located . Sex-related EOD characteristics in this species has been demonstrated in the laboratory with freshly imported samples during the breeding season; such EOD dimorphism changed with time in captivity. Lead nitrate in water significantly increased EOD rate and selectively altered the EOD waveform of this species . Dubbed a `hearing specialist' having auditory abilities in the range of 100-2500 Hz, with `best frequencies' between 300 and 600 Hz . Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 150 cm; not recommended for home aquariums .

Scientific Name
Gnathonemus petersii
Authority
Günther, 1862
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
35 cm
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
38.00/100
Water Temp
22–28 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 31; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 32 - 36. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Elephantnose fish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19. Tropical; 22°C - 28°C Widespread in the Congo basin (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.1±0.34

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01259 × L2.86 (TL)
Max TL
35cm
Dorsal Rays
28
Anal Rays
34

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
22–28°C
pH Range
6–8
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
38.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1862

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Gnathonemus brevicaudatus Pellegrin 1919 Synonym
Gnathonemus histrio Fowler 1936 Synonym
Gnathonemus peters Günther 1862 Synonym
Mormyrus petersii Günther 1862 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 222 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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