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Bane stonebasher (Petrocephalus bane) — Mormyridae

Bane stonebasher

Petrocephalus bane
Family: Mormyridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bane stonebasher (Petrocephalus bane) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bane stonebasher is an African elephantfish of the family Mormyridae, widespread in the Nile and West African waters. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a stocky, silvery-grey body with a blunt head lacking the long snout of many relatives. It inhabits open water and vegetated zones of lakes, lagoons and irrigation canals. Like other elephantfishes it produces weak electric discharges to orient itself and communicate. It is mainly an insect eater, foraging on the bottom and among vegetation. Females grow larger than males and are caught more frequently.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bane stonebasher?

The Bane stonebasher has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bane stonebasher live?

The Bane stonebasher lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bane stonebasher get?

The Bane stonebasher grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bane stonebasher dangerous to humans?

No, the Bane stonebasher is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bane-snuitvis sourced
English name
Bane stonebasher sourced
Scientific name
Petrocephalus bane
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes 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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Petrocephalus

More from the family Mormyridae

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