Petrocephalus microphthalmus Pellegrin, 1909
photo by Mertens, P.

Family:  Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Max. size:  5.2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Sanaga River in the north to the more southern Kouilou-Niari River, including the rivers Ntem and Ogowe (Ref. 85331). Also in the middle Congo River basin, downstream up to the lower Congo River near Brazzaville (Ref. 85331) and southwards to Angola (Ref. 120641).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal soft rays: 25-29. Petrocephalus microphthalmus is distinguished from all other Petrocephalus species in Central Africa by the following combination of characteristics: short dorsal fin with only 18 or fewer branched rays, long anal fin with 23-27 branched rays, eye small (HL/ED=4,1-4,8), mouth moderately wide, only 9-11 teeth in the upper jaw, 14-20 teeth in the lower jaw, no more than 10 scales between the anterior base of the anal fin and the lateral line (Ref. 52344, 85331). Absence of black pigment patches, except for a characteristic black blotch on the anterior dorsal fin rays near the origin of this fin; body silvery/purplish, iridescent (Ref. 85331).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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