Ibis Nilhecht

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Ibis Nilhecht
Campylomormyrus numenius.jpg

Ibis Nilhecht ( Campylomormyrus numenius )

Systematics
Overcohort : Osteoglossomorpha (Osteoglossomorpha)
Order : Bony tongues (Osteoglossiformes)
Subordination : Knifefish-like (Notopteroidei)
Family : Nilhechte (Mormyridae)
Genre : Campylomormyrus
Type : Ibis Nilhecht
Scientific name
Campylomormyrus numenius
( Boulenger , 1898)

The Ibis Nilhecht ( Campylomormyrus numenius ) belongs to the family of the Mormyridae .

description

The external appearance of the ibis nilpike is immediately reminiscent of the external appearance of an elephant. At the end of the “trunk”, which can be up to 25 centimeters long, sits the mouth with a small extension of the chin. With this extension they rummage through the muddy soil of their surroundings. The fish can reach a length of about 65 centimeters and is therefore not one of the largest, but one of the larger members of its family. Its exterior is determined by dark gray to brown tones that serve as camouflage in the murky water. Like all fish of the Mormyridae family , the ibis nilpike has a weak electrical organ. This organ is used for orientation and for locating its prey.

Way of life

Like almost all members of its genus, the Ibis Nilhecht is nocturnal. Only at dusk do these fish come out of crevices or other dark hiding spots. They rummage through the ground to get food. When searching for food, the long proboscis offers many advantages, it enables them to penetrate into narrow crevices in the rock. The common diet of this fish includes worms, larvae, or other small animals of similar size. The ibis Nilhecht usually disdains vegetable food.

Ibis Nilhecht burrows in the sand

distribution

The distribution area of ​​the ibis Nilhechts is the entire Congo basin . There it occurs only in larger rivers and is also one of the edible fish of the inhabitants.

Sources and further information

literature

Web links