Churchill (Petrocephalus catostoma catostoma) fish species and information / pictures of Churchill - Petrocephalus catostoma catostoma

Churchill (Petrocephalus catostoma catostoma) fish species information

Scientific Name
Petrocephalus catostoma catostoma

Common Name
Churchill

Biology
Occurs in shallow and muddy waters, sheltered bays, in lagoons, and swampy areas. Forms shoal. Prefers quiet parts of rivers where there is abundant vegetation. Feeds mostly on insect larvae and other invertebrates at night. Shoals within quiet reaches of rivers and floodplains. Oviparous. Known to undergo upriver migration which may well be correlated with breeding. Breeds during the rainy season, possibly moving upstream to suitable sites. An unconfirmed report claims the males are territorial and build a nest. Found schooling with other species with identical electric organ discharge waveforms. Caught in nets for food.

Classification

Classified By
G?nther, 1866
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Bony tongues (Osteoglossiformes)
Family
Elephantfishes (Mormyridae)

Distribution

Region
Central and South Africa
Distribution
Central and South Africa: eastward flowing rivers of Africa. Widespread from the Cunene, Okavango and Zambezi systems to the Pongolo. Also in the Zambian Congo, Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika and northwards to the Tana Rivers and Lake Victoria in Kenya.
Range
3°S - 27°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
23 °C
Water Temperature To
26 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous
Trophic Level
3.36 s.e. 0.38 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
15.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (17 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 116)
Threat To Humans
Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
Not Evaluated