Zambesi parrotfish (Cyphomyrus discorhynchus) fish species and information / pictures of Zambesi parrotfish - Cyphomyrus discorhynchus

Zambesi parrotfish (Cyphomyrus discorhynchus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cyphomyrus discorhynchus

Common Name
Zambesi parrotfish

Biology
Nocturnal shoaling species; favors large river channels with a soft bottom and fringing vegetation. Found mainly in sheltered bays, lagoons and swampy areas; occurs also in typical sandy or rocky rivers. Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates and insect larvae at night. Known to migrate up tributary rivers of Lake Kariba during rainy season, though it is not yet clear whether this is a breeding migration. Breeds during summer rainy season; females carry up to 5,000 eggs.

Classification

Classified By

Peters, 1852

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Bony tongues (Osteoglossiformes)

Family

Elephantfishes (Mormyridae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Cunene, Okavango, Buzi, Pungwe , Zambezi , Save and Cubango Rivers. Absent from the Kafue River. Also in lakes Tanganyika and Malawi and the upper Congo including lakes Bangweulu and Mweru.

Range

11°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

Trophic Level

3.2 s.e. 0.40 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

31.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)