Marcusenius victoriae (Worthington, 1929)
Victoria stonebasher
photo by KMFRI

Family:  Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Max. size:  26 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Africa: known from Lake Kwania (Ref. 42514), the Victoria Nile, Lake Kyoga and Lake Victoria basin (Ref. 4903) including affluent rivers (Ref. 10608, 12526). Also present in the Middle Akagera system (Ref. 46152).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  In Lake Kyoga in or near water lily swamps (Ref. 49805). In Lake Victoria in shallow inshore waters over both sandy and rocky bottoms, and seasonally over muddy bottoms adjacent to extensive papyrus swamps (Ref. 9606). Predominantly insectivorous, feeding mainly on chironomid larvae (Ref. 12526), but also feeds on small organisms like Ostracoda, Hydracarina (Ref. 9606, 12526), Conchostraca (Ref. 12526) and Diaptomus (Ref. 9606). Crustaceans, gastropods, fish eggs and detritus are also taken (Ref. 9606). Males grow to larger size than females; breeds twice a year during rainy seasons; migrates up the river to spawn (Ref. 10608). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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