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Others
/ Mormyridae / Large-scaled Mormyrid
Large-scaled Mormyrid, Bulldog
Marcusenius macrolepidotus | Pictures
Synonyms: Gnathonemus
macrolepidotus, Mormyrus macrolepidotus
Physical description: An elongated, laterally compressed species with a long, slender caudal penuncle and
a forked caudal fin.
The anal and dorsal fins are located opposite one another and are situated far back on
the body.
The forehead is large and rounded and there is lobe on the lower jaw.
The color is light brown to dark gray
with a silver iridescence.
The body may be spotted with irregular brown spots.
Size/Length: To 12" (30 cm) in nature, although rarely larger than 8" (20 cm) in captivity.
Similar species: Marcusenius
species, and Hippopotamyrus
species.
Habitat: Southern Africa; widespread in the Cunene, Okavango, upper Zaire, and Zambezi river
systems.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A 40" (101 cm) or 45-55 gallon (170-209 L) tank is sufficient.
Follow suggestions for
G. petersii.
Water chemistry: pH 6-8 (7.5), 5-18 dH (10), 68-79°F (20-26°C)
Social behavior: A territorial species that is aggressive towards similar fish.
It is possible to maintain this species;
species is a school of six or more in a large tank.
A nocturnal species.
Suggested companions: Gouramis, Barbs,
Synodontis, West African Cichlids, African characins
FOOD: Live; Tubifex,
other worms, insect larvae,
Artemia; occasionally flakes.
Feed
after the lights are off.
Sexual differences: Skelton (98) reports that males have a notch in their anal fin, while females do not.
Breeding techniques: Has not been accomplished in aquaria, although has been observed in nature.
According
to Skeleton (98), this species spawns during the rainy season is shallow, planted areas.
As many as 6000 eggs are laid.
Breeding potential: 10.
Breeding has not been accomplished in aquaria, although may be possible by recreating the
rainy season in a large tank.
REMARKS: Mass migrations in nature have been reported, although these have not been linked
to the spawning season.
Difficulty of care: 6.
This large species requires live foods and a well-maintained tank.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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