Petrocephalus longicapitis Kramer, Bills, Skelton & Wink, 2012

Family:  Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Max. size:  11 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: upper and middle Zambezi River (Ref. 91771). Also in the Okavango in Angola (Ref. 120641).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-25; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 26-30. Diagnosis: Head length 25.8-29.6% of standard length; predorsal length 61.9-65.7% of standard length; preanal length 57.5-61.7% of standard length; depth of caudal peduncle 33.4-39.8% of its length; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; 37-39 scales in lateral line row (Ref. 91771). Description: Body oval shape; head broadly rounded with a small ventrally positioned subterminal mouth, situated ventral to the eye; head and body dorsolaterally compressed (Ref. 91771). Dorsal fin origin situated about two-thirds of standard length from snout, obliquely orientated, anteriorly higher and posteriorly lower, distal margin crescentic with anterior two or three rays longer than posterior rays, and 21-25 rays (Ref. 91771). Anal fin longer than dorsal fin, opposite dorsal fin with slightly more anterior origin, obliquely orientated, anteriorly lower and posteriorly higher, anterior 10 or so rays longer than posterior ones, especially in males where they also disappearstronger, margin broadly rounded, rays posterior to first 10 with distal margin straight, 26-30 rays (Ref. 91771). Scales cycloid with reticulate striae, scales extending anteriorly to operculum and pelvic fins; 37-39 scales in lateral series; scales on caudal peduncle circumference, 12 (Ref. 91771). Caudal peduncle slender, subcylindrical entire length, 18-21.5% of standard length (Ref. 91771). Colour: In life it is grey-silver, underside lighter, paired fins light and transparent (Ref. 91771). It is light brown coloured in preservation (Ref. 91771).
Biology:  Appears to prefer quiet reaches of oxbow lakes or arms with dense vegetation on borders; where it occurs in the main river channel, sand and gravel substrate mainly with occasional rocky rapids; during the day associated with marginal cover in holes in banks, root stocks and aquatic weed beds (Ref. 91771).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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