Cornish jack

Mormyrops anguilloides

Emit weak current to locate prey

Tropical
Lower river
Restricted distribution
Freshwater fish
Africa
Elongated
Compressed cross-section
Large
Tropical fish

The Cornish jack, Mormyrops anguilloides, is a species of weakly electric fish in the family Mormyridae, native to quiet waters in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. The largest species in its family, the Cornish jack is a nocturnal group hunter of smaller fishes, using electricity to locate its prey and communicate with other members of its group. It is a commercial game fish valued for its size and taste.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Bonytongues
Family: Mormyridae
Genus: Mormyrops
Maximum length: 150 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Africa: a very wide distribution area which includes most of the West African river basins (Ref. 81274 ), the White Nile, Uebi Shebeli and Juba (Ref. 3203 ), and the Congo River basin (Ref. 52193 ). In southern Africa, restricted to the middle and lower Zambezi, Buzi and Pungwe (Ref. 52193 ). Also known from Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Albert [former Lake Mobuto] (Ref. 3203 , 52193 ).
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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