Cornish jack (Mormyrops anguilloides) fish species and information / pictures of Cornish jack - Mormyrops anguilloides

Cornish jack (Mormyrops anguilloides) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mormyrops anguilloides

Common Name
Cornish jack

Biology
Juveniles occur in marginal habitats, adults prefer deep quiet water between boulders and below overhangs, away from strong currents; also occurs beneath Salvinia mats and in river estuaries in Lake Kariba; juveniles prey on invertebrates, mainly shrimps and insect larvae; larger individuals feed on small cichlids, minnows and labeos; may live for 8 years or more; breeds in summer during the rainy season; mature females carry 25000 or more eggs (Ref. 7248, 52193). A fractional spawner (Ref. 10606, 10605). Affinities: M. breviceps.

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Bony tongues (Osteoglossiformes)
Family
Elephantfishes (Mormyridae)

Distribution

Region
Africa
Distribution
Africa: White Nile, Lake Albert basin, inland waters from Senegal to Chad, rivers in Cameroon, small coastal basins in the Guinean zone. Widespread in the Congo basin, Lake Malawi, Tanganyika and Mobuto (Ref. 52193). Volta basin, Whebi Shebeli and Juba (as Mormyrops deliciosus). In southern Africa, it is restricted to the middle and lower Zambezi, Buzi, and Pungwe River (Ref. 52307).
Range
10°S - 21°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
22 °C
Water Temperature To
24 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)
Trophic Level
3.58 s.e. 0.58 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
150 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
High to very high vulnerability (69 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.08-0.12; tm > 8)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)