Smallmouth electric catfish (Malapterurus microstoma)

Scientific name: Malapterurus microstoma Poll & Gosse, 1969

The Smallmouth electric catfish (Malapterurus microstoma) is a freshwater fish of the family Malapteruridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–28°C (73–82°F). Native range: Africa, present throughout the Congo River basin, absent from the lowland, central portion of the basin.

Smallmouth electric catfish care at a glance

Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)

Biology

Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 13; Vertebrae: 40 - 42. Diagnosis: tooth patches narrow; horizontally based pectoral fins, placed low on the body; snout sharply narrowed rostrally; 40-42 vertebrae; 7-29 gill-rakers; 11-12 anal-fin rays; caudal saddle and bar pattern very faintly expressed; 7-8 branched caudal-fin rays; body finely spotted; lateral line complete.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Malapterurus microstoma
Family: Malapteruridae (Electric catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 55.5
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: present throughout the Congo River basin, absent from the lowland, central portion of the basin.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Other
Uses: Fisheries:; aquarium: commercial