Marcusenius macrolepidotus
Marcusenius macrolepidotus
- Least concern
- Card rarity: Common
- Fish
Marcusenius macrolepidotus, commonly known as the bulldog, is a bony-tongued freshwater elephantfish from the genus Marcusenius and the family Mormyridae. They are typically found in rivers and lakes in South-Eastern Africa. The species was named after its distinctive feature of a mental lobe on its lower jaw that protrudes beyond the upper jaw, a characteristic similar to that of the bulldog dog breed. The Mormyridae family contains weakly electric fish, all of which have an electric discharge organ located near the tail. This electric discharge organ can be used for object/prey detection, exhibiting aggressive behaviors, and intraspecies communication. M. marcusenius typically appear in groups of fish called shoals, and are most active at night. Overnight, they spend time feeding on insects, algae, and fish.
Classification
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Osteoglossiformes
- Family
- Mormyridae
- Genus
- Marcusenius