Elephant snout
📖 Overview
Possesses electroreceptors over the entire head and on the ventral and dorsal regions of the body, but absent from the side and the caudal peduncle where the electric organ is located . A fractional spawner.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 63 - 82; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 20. Diagnosis: snout short, its length about 50% of the post-ocular length of the head , prominent, but not drawn out into a proboscis . Dorsal fin with 63-82 rays, beginning clearly in advance of pelvic fins; anal with 16-20 rays, its base comprised from 4.1 to 6.3 times in dorsal-fin base . Caudal peduncle relatively deep, its depth comprised 1.1-2.0 times in its length . 26-34 scales around caudal peduncle; ratio standard length/body depth: 4.2-6.2; upper jaw with 6-16, lower jaw with 10-22 teeth . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Elephant snout is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical Known from the great Sahelo-Soudanian basins in Senegal, Gambia and Volta; also in the Mono, the Gêba, the Bandama, the Comoe River, and the Ebrie and Aguien lagoons (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Elephant snout is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Elephant snout is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Elephant snout has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mormyrodes hasselquistii | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Mormyrus agnus | Pappenheim | 1907 | Synonym |
| Mormyrus guentheri | Boulenger | 1899 | Synonym |
| Mormyrus hasselquisti hasselquisti | Valenciennes | 1847 | Synonym |
| Mormyrus hasselquistii guentheri | Boulenger | 1899 | Synonym |
| Mormyrus herse | Lacépède | 1803 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 25 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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