Petrocephalus christyi Boulenger, 1920
photo by Mertens, P.

Family:  Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Max. size:  7.7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 5
Distribution:  Africa: widespread in the Congo River basin, from the rapids just below Pool Malebo (Ref. 85331) to the upper Lualaba (Ref. 45616), in Central African Republic (Ref. 113655), Republic of Congo (Ref. 85331), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 4910, 41585, 45441, 106245, 106290) and Angola (Ref. 11970, 120641).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-24; Anal soft rays: 28-29. Petrocephalus christyi is distinguished from all other Petrocephalus species in Central Africa by the following combination of characteristics: dorsal fin with 22-24 branched rays, anal fin with 25-29 branched rays, eye large (HL/ED=3,1-4,2), mouth small, 9-13 teeth in the upper jaw, 17-22 teeth in the lower jaw (Ref. 85331). Melanin pattern consisting of two characteristic black patches: (1) a distinct round mark below the anterior base (first to the fifth rays) of the dorsal fin; and (2) a somewhat diffuse crescent-like mark, centered at the base of the caudal fin and extending onto the fleshy dorsal and ventral lobes of this fin (Ref. 85331).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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