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Malapterurus stiassnyae Norris, 2002

Image contributors to this species:

Christian Fry (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 38 - 42. Diagnosis: body elongate and cylindrical; tooth patches narrow; vertically based pectoral fins positioned at the body mid-depth; 8-11 anal-fin rays; usually more than 17 gill rakers on first arch; 2 ventral unbranched and 7-8 branched caudal-fin rays; 8-11 pectoral-fin rays; caudal saddle and bar pattern well developed in juveniles and young; caudal fin darkly pigmented in adults; caudal saddle and bar merged dorsally in specimens in which they are still visible. Etymology: The specific name is to honour the collector of the holotype, Melanie L. J. Stiassny (American Museum of Natural History, New York), who has raised an eloquent voice in conservation matters. Remarks: There is uncertainty about the status of this species and perhaps it is the same as Malapterurus leonensis Roberts 2000. Doubtfully a synonym of Malapterurus leonensis Roberts 2000 (Ferraris 2007). Current status: Uncertain as Malapterurus leonensis Roberts 2000. Malapteruridae (Eshmeyer's Catalog of Fishes).

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Malapterurus electricus (non-Gmelin, 1789)

Family:

Malapteruridae

Distribution:

Africa: Broadly distributed in Upper Guinean basins east of the Fouta Dialon uplands, from the Bofon River (Guinea) to the St. Paul River (Liberia); also verified from the Cavally basin.

Size:

30.0cm. (12ins)

Temp:

23-30°C (73-87°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

Reference:

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2018 ).
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., 289:155 p.

Family: Malapteruridae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Malapterurus stiassnyae

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