Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Malapteruridae (Electric catfishes)
Etymology: Malapterurus: Greek, mala = a lot of + Greek, pteron = fin + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335); occidentalis: From the Latin "occidentalis" = west, in reference to the far west African distribution (Ref. 44050).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: (middle) Gambia and Géba Rivers in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau respectively (Ref. 44050, 57130).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 32.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57130)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 36 - 38. Diagnosis: tooth patches narrow; vertically based pectoral fin positioned near body mid-depth; 7-8 branched caudal-fin rays; eye relatively large; interorbital space relatively narrow; 8-9 pectoral-fin rays; 36-38 vertebrae; young tan or brown; caudal saddle and bar pattern present in juveniles but poorly developed in adults; flank and dorsum marked with small spots but no large blotches; caudal fin not heavily marked with spots or blotches (Ref. 44050).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: circular.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Norris, S.M., 2002. A revision of the African electric catfishes, family Malapteruridae (Teleostei, Siluriformes), with erection of a new genus and descriptions of fourteen new species, and an annotated bibliography. Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr., Sci. Zool., 289:1-155. (Ref. 44050)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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