Mormyridae
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Gnathonemus petersii, Elephantnose Fish. JJPhoto.dk
[edit] Overview
The Mormyrids are very appealing fishes, calm and peaceful and endowed with prehistoric appearances. They are reportedly quite intelligent and use weak electrical signals to communicate with each other.
Many have unusual snouts, either prominent and proboscislike or with underslung lower jaws.
Unfortunately, they demand experienced care to thrive in aquaria.
BioGroup:
Native range:
Taxonomic rank: Family
Common name: ELEPHANTFISHES (ELEPHANTNOSE FISHES)
| Total known | Total profiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Subfamilies | 0 | 0 |
| Genera | 18 | 1 |
| Species | 198 | 1 |
Captive care: Difficult to keep alive. Not recommended for the average home aquarium.
Feeding: Feeds nocturnally on meaty items, including worms, insects and crustaceans.
[edit] Subfamilies
none
[edit] Genera
[edit] Species
| Biogroup-Organism | Freshwater Fishes + |
| Common name | ELEPHANTFISHES (ELEPHANTNOSE FISHES) + |
| Family taxonomic rank | Family + |
| Image credit | JJ + |
| Native range | Africa +, and Nile River + |
| Reference | Fishes of the World + |
| Text credit | JL + |