Elephant Fish (Pollimyrus isidori isidori)

Scientific name: Pollimyrus isidori isidori Valenciennes, 1847

The Elephant Fish (Pollimyrus isidori isidori) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–24°C (72–75°F). Native range: Africa, Gambia, middle Niger, Volta and Chad basins, coastal rivers of C?te d'Ivoire; also including the Nile. Also known from the B?nou? and Senegal Rivers.

Elephant Fish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–24°C (72–75°F)

Biology

Occupies floodplain pools in Sudd. Feeds on mud, vegetable debris and small invertebrates. Affinities: only to P. adspersus, morphologically similar; distinguished through scales on caudal peduncle, dorsal and anal fin rays and body coloration. Generates electric organ discharge of short duration that seems to correlate with aggregative behavior of the species. During the breeding season, males build nests and while patrolling their territory sporadically emit EODs at a mean rate of 18 Hz. Participating females, on the other hand, discharge at a fairly regular rate and this has been shown to play a role in sex recognition during courtship and spawning. Male and female EOD waveforms also differ in the amplitude ratio of the first and third phase. Also produce natural sounds

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pollimyrus isidori isidori
Family: Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Order: Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 9.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Gambia, middle Niger, Volta and Chad basins, coastal rivers of C?te d'Ivoire; also including the Nile. Also known from the B?nou? and Senegal Rivers.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.5)