Teleostei (teleosts) >
Synbranchiformes (Spiny eels) >
Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels)
Etymology: Mastacembelus: Greek, mastax, -agos = bite + Greek, emballo = to throw oneself (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Jean-Pierre Brichard (1921–1990) was a Belgian explorer, and a collector and exporter of fish for the aquarium trade. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Poll.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: rapids of the Lower Congo River (Ref. 42510, 84205, 94499) and the Congo River main channel just upstream of Pool Malebo (Ref. 84205).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 17.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 84205)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Found in rock crevices in a rapids area (Ref. 6060). A blind species (Ref. 4537).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Travers, R.A., G. Eynikel and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde, 1986. Mastacembelidae. p. 415-427. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 6060)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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