Zambesi parrotfish (Cyphomyrus discorhynchus)

Scientific name: Cyphomyrus discorhynchus Peters, 1852

The Zambesi parrotfish (Cyphomyrus discorhynchus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–24°C (72–75°F).

Zambesi parrotfish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–24°C (72–75°F)

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cyphomyrus discorhynchus
Family: Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Order: Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 31.0
Environment: Freshwater; demersal
Climate: Tropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16)