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Wavyline elephantfish (Mormyrus subundulatus) — Mormyridae

Wavyline elephantfish

Mormyrus subundulatus
Family: Mormyridae

The Wavyline elephantfish (Mormyrus subundulatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Wavyline elephantfish is an elephantfish (Mormyridae) from turbid fresh water of East Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, dark body with far-set dorsal and anal fins and a small mouth. With a weak electric organ in the tail it generates electric pulses to navigate, find prey and communicate with conspecifics in the dark water. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wavyline elephantfish?

The Wavyline elephantfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Wavyline elephantfish live?

The Wavyline elephantfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Wavyline elephantfish get?

The Wavyline elephantfish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Wavyline elephantfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Wavyline elephantfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Golflijn-olifantsvis sourced
English name
Wavyline elephantfish sourced
Scientific name
Mormyrus subundulatus
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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 Mormyrus

More from the family Mormyridae

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