Aba

Facts

Scientific name:

Gymnarchus niloticus

Biology:

Following flooding of the river banks (Gambia River), this species builds large elliptical floating nests in densely vegetated swamps at depths of about 1-1.5 m; lays about 1000 `amber-like' eggs; larvae hatching after 5 days . Feeds on crustaceans, insects and fish . No pelvic, anal or caudal fins. Possesses an electric organ that extends along almost the entire trunk to the tip of the tail . Also equipped with ampullary receptors and two types of tuberous receptors for electroreception . Showed increased electric organ discharge (EOD) rate by 50-60 Hz between 21 and 31°C .

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

Threat to humans:

Harmless

Photos & Description

License type:

CC-BY-SA

Source:

1829"

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Short description:

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 183-230. Body depth 7.2-10.3 x SL. Head 5.6-6.9 x SL. Snout prominent. Pectorals 1.9-5.0 x head length. Body terminates in thin point. Head without scales. Scales small.

Size / Weight / Age:

Maturity: L m &nbsp ? &nbsp range ? - ? cm Max length : 167 cm SL male/unsexed; ; max. published weight: 18.5 kg