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Blackfin stonebasher (Pollimyrus nigripinnis) — Mormyridae

Blackfin stonebasher

Pollimyrus nigripinnis
Family: Mormyridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin stonebasher (Pollimyrus nigripinnis) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Pollimyrus nigripinnis is a small African elephantfish (Mormyridae) from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species has a stocky, silvery-grey body with dark fins, to which the name refers, and reaches about 11 cm. Like other mormyrids it has electroreceptors over almost the entire head and the dorsal and ventral surfaces, except on the flanks and caudal peduncle, where the weak electric organ lies. With these it orients itself in turbid water, locates prey and communicates with conspecifics. It feeds on small invertebrates and insect larvae on the bottom. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin stonebasher?

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

Where does the Blackfin stonebasher live?

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

How big does the Blackfin stonebasher get?

The Blackfin stonebasher grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Blackfin stonebasher dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin stonebasher is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin stonebasher edible?

The Blackfin stonebasher is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvin-snuitvis sourced
English name
Blackfin stonebasher sourced
Scientific name
Pollimyrus nigripinnis
Family
Mormyridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 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
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Pollimyrus

More from the family Mormyridae

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