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Dwarf snoutfish (Mormyrops parvus) — Mormyridae

Dwarf snoutfish

Mormyrops parvus
Family: Mormyridae

The Dwarf snoutfish (Mormyrops parvus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf snoutfish is an elephantfish (Mormyridae) from fresh water of Central and West Africa. The species grows to about 17 cm and has an elongate, dark body with a relatively blunt snout. It generates a weak electric field to navigate and hunt in turbid water. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches rivers and marshes for insect larvae, worms and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf snoutfish?

The Dwarf snoutfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Dwarf snoutfish live?

The Dwarf snoutfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Dwarf snoutfish get?

The Dwarf snoutfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Dwarf snoutfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf snoutfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-snoekolifantsvis sourced
English name
Dwarf snoutfish sourced
Scientific name
Mormyrops parvus
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Mormyrops

More from the family Mormyridae

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