| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 21-24. Diagnosis: Number of scales around caudal peduncle 12-16, predorsal length63.3-68.5% of standard length, dorsal fin length 14.0-18.1% of standard length, anal fin length 18.0-24.1% of standard length, distance from pectoral fin origin to pelvic fin origin 15.0-18.7% of standard length, caudal peduncle length 18.9-24.0% of standard length, caudal peduncle depth 32.1-41.4% of caudal peduncle length, length of snout 40.5-50.0% of head length, body depth 24.6-30.5% of standard length, dorsal fin rays 15-18, anal fin rays 21-24, scales in linear series along lateral line row 44-55, distance from tip of snout to anal fin origin 58.4-63.4% of standard length, length of pectoral fin 76.3-92.5% of head length, distance from dorsal fin origin to end of caudal peduncle 37.9-42.6% of standard length, eye diameter 23.7-30.5% of head length, head length 22.5-26.3% of standard length, and distance between the pair of nares of one side 8.31-9.92 times in head length (Ref. 94890). Electric organ discharge with 5 phases and last phase P2 not stronger than P1 (Ref. 94890).
Description: Body oblong shape; head broadly rounded with a small, terminal mouth; head and body dorsoventrally compressed (Ref. 94890). Dorsal fin origin situated about two thirds of standard length from snout, obliquely orientated, anteriorly higher and posteriorly lower, first few rays anteriorly longer than those posteriorly, and number of rays 15–18; anal fin opposite dorsal but origin more anteriorly and also obliquely orientated, anteriorly lower and posteriorly higher, in male specimens anterior 10 or so rays longer than those posteriorly, margin broadly rounded, and number of rays 21–24 (Ref. 94890). Scales cycloid with reticulate striae, except in centre, extending anteriorly to operculum, pectoral and pelvic fins; scales around caudal peduncle 12–16 (Ref. 94890). Caudal peduncle slender and subcylindrical over the entire length, usually less than a quarter in standard length; forked tail fin with broadly rounded lobes overlapping at midbase (Ref. 94890). Electric organ discharge with five phases and of short duration, 0.34-0.64 ms at 25°C and '5% amplitude-of-N1-phase criterion' (Ref. 94890).
Colouration: colour in preservation: mottled brown, throat and belly light beige covered with small brown spots (Ref. 94890). Colour in life similar to preserved specimens (Ref. 94890). |
| Biology: |
This species prefers to hide in weeds if present, floating or not, often high up in water column, sometimes even at the surface under a water lily leaf in bright sunlight; also found on rocky bottom, hiding in crevices and holes (Ref. 94890). It will often not struggle in weeds brought to shore, so as not to raise attention (Ref. 94890). |
