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Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Siluriformes (Catfish) > Malapteruridae (Electric catfishes)
Etymology: Malapterurus: Greek, mala = a lot of + Greek, pteron = fin + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335); shirensis: Geographic name, in reference to the Zambezi River system, to which this species is restricted (Ref. 44050). More on author: Roberts.

Environment / Climate / Range Ecology

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical, preferred ?

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

Africa: known only from Zambesi river basin.

Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 37.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44050)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 40 - 45. Medium-sized species probably attaining over 300 mm; vertebral counts 23+19+42(2); tooth bands moderately large, laterally and longitudinally moderately broad. Distinguished from the species in the Congo basin by its coloration, with relatively large blotches similar with M. electricus and M. minjiriya. Resembles M. electricus but differs in having more vertebrae (45 vs. 41-44), fewer gill rakers, and oral tooth bands that are laterally and longitudinally somewhat shorter. Holotype and paratype from the Shire have 2+21=23 and 3+18=21 gill rakers on the first gill arch (Ref. 34006). Tooth patches narrow; pectoral fin placed near the body mid-depth; 9 pectoral-fin rays; 9-11 anal-fin rays; total number of vertebrae 40-41; 7-8 branched caudal-fin rays; large blotches on dorsum and flank; base color grey; caudal fin at most lightly spotted (Ref. 44050).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Roberts, T.R., 2000. A review of the African electric catfish family Malapteruridae, with descriptions of new species. Occas. Pap. Ichthyol. 1:1-15. (Ref. 34006)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)

Least Concern (LC)

CITES (Ref. 94142)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

Human uses

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Internet sources

Malapterurus shirensis Roberts, 2000