Marcusenius livingstonii (Boulenger, 1899)
photo by FAO

Family:  Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: East flowing rivers of Tanzania (Ref. 3203).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-24; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 28-31. Description: Depth of body 3.6 times in total length, length of head 4.5 times in total length (Ref. 1878). Caudal peduncle 3 times as long as adeep, a little shorter than head (Ref. 1878). Head nearly as long as deep, with curved upper profile; snout 2/7 length of head; chin with a globular dermal appendage; teeth bicuspid, 5 in upper jaw, 6 in lower jaw; eye smell, half length of snout, 2/5 interorbital width (Ref. 1878). Dorsal fin with 21-24 rays, originating above 10th ray of anal fin, its length 2.5 times in its distance from head; anal fin with 28-31 rays, equally distant from base of pelvic fin and from base of caudal fin; pectoral fin obtusely pointed, 3/4 length of head, twice length of pelvic fin, reaching a little beyond base of latter; caudal fin with obtusely pointed lobes (Ref. 1878). Scales in lateral line 62-65, scales around caudal peduncle 12 (Ref. 1878).

Colouration: Silvery, brownish on the back; a dark brown vertical bar on the body below origin of dorsal fin (Ref. 1878).

Biology:  Inhabits quiet water in rivers; moves on to flood plains to breed (Ref. 4967).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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