Pollimyrus adspersus (Günther, 1866)
photo by RMCA

Family:  Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Max. size:  9.8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 5
Distribution:  Africa: coastal fringes of the Volta basin. Seems to have replaced Pollimyrus isidori (continental) in the coastal basins or in the lower reaches of rivers in West Africa. Also known from the Mono River in Togo, Ouémé in Benin (Ref. 28663), Cross and Wouri (Ref. 81635). In the Congo basin, reported from the lower Congo basin (Ref. 1878), middle Congo River (Ref. 4910), Aruwimi and Lindi-Tshopo (Ref. 106290) in Democratic Republic of the Congo, and (middle) Congo River tributaries in Cameroon (Ref. 51193).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-22; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 24-29. Body depth 2.7-3.3 x SL. Head 3.7-4.7 x SL. Eye diameter 3.4-4.6 x head length. Dorsal fin origin slightly behind anal fin origin. Dorsal and anal fins length 4.1-5.0 and 3.2-4.0 x SL. Dorsal fin base 0.7-0.9 of anal fin base. Pectorals 2.0-2.5 x longer than pelvic fins and 0.8-1.1 x head length. Caudal peduncle height 2.8-4.2 x higher than long. Generally dark brown color with first rays of dorsal and often of the anal fins darkened.
Biology:  Affinities: P. isidori.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.