Mormyridae

noun

Distribution: tropical Africa and Nile. Paired and vertical fins all present; narrow caudal peduncle and deeply forked caudal fin. Parasphenoid and tongue with teeth. Branchiostegal rays 6-8. Dorsal fin rays 12-91. Anal fin rays 20-70. Dorsal and anal fins usually opposite each other on posterior part of body. With 37-64 vertebrae. Mouth of highly variable form, often trunklike. Maximum length 1.5 m, usually 9-50 cm. Mormyrids are noted for their large cerebellums and their use of electricity and sound.

The family Mormyridae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Osteoglossiformes. It contains 18 genera and 198 species. It may be found in Freshwater environments and is primarily Primary freshwater. Some members of this family are used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are nonguarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is gymnotiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be sluggish. This family may be found from 32° n to 26° s and 18° w to 45° e. Etymology of this family name: Greek, mormyros = a kind of fish