Distribution
The genus ''Malapterurus'' is found throughout western and central tropical Africa and the Nile River. They occur in all major freshwater systems including the Buzi River (Mozambique), Buzi, Niger River, Niger, Ogooué River, Ogooué, Omo River (Ethiopia), Omo, Sanaga River, Sanaga, Sabi-Lundi River, Sabi-Lundi, Senegal River, Senegal, Shari River, Shari, Congo River, Congo, and Zambezi River basins, as well as Lakes Lake Albert (Africa), Albert, Lake Chad, Chad, Lake Kainji, Kainji, Lake Tanganyika, Tanganyika, and Lake Turkana, Turkana.Description
''Malapterurus'' have an elongate and cylindrical body that gives them the general appearance of a sausage. The eyes are small, the lips are rather thick, and the snout is rounded with widely separated nostrils. The gill openings are narrow and restricted to the sides. ''Malapterurus'' species have three pairs of barbels, and lack a dorsal fin. The pectoral fin, pectoral, pelvic fin, pelvic, and caudal fins are rounded. The gas bladder, swimbladder has two elongate posterior chambers. Species in ''Malapterurus'' are generally grayish-brown on the back and sides, fading to an off white or cream color on the ventral surfaces of the head and body. There are irregular black spots or blotches randomly distributed on the sides of the body. The posterior half of the caudal peduncle usually has a dark brown or black vertical bar and a cream vertical bar immediately before it. The edges of the anal and caudal fins have a cream margin, and the base of the caudal fin has a cream region and a dark brown crescent-shaped band immediately after it. The electrogenic organ is derived from anterior body musculature and lines the body cavity. A fish that is 50 centimetres (19 in) in length can discharge up to 350 volt, V. ''M. electricus'' is one of the few electric species that have been conditioned by means of reward to discharge on signal. As reported in the ''New York Times'' on April 2, 1967, researcher Dr. Frank J. Mandriota of City College of New York conditioned a ''M. electricus'' to discharge on a light signal for a reward of live worms delivered automatically. This is a first in conditioning that modified neither glandular nor muscular responses. ''M. electricus'' can grow as large as 122 centimetres (48 in) fish measurement, TL and .Ecology
''Malapterurus'' species are generally found among rocks or roots in turbid or black waters with low visibility. They favor sluggish or standing water. ''M. electricus'' is a voracious piscivore. It uses its Electroreception and electrogenesis, electrical discharges to stun prey. It is an opportunistic feeder and will feed on any readily available prey in the habitat. These fish are slow-moving, deliberate feeders with infrequent, heavy meals. Breeding pairs of ''M. electricus'' nest in holes about 3 metres (10 foot (length), ft) in length excavated in clay banks in water deep.Relationship to humans
The electrical discharge of ''M. electricus'' is not known to be fatal to humans. ''M. electricus'' is eaten as food in certain parts of Africa. Along the shores of Lake Kainji, smoked electric catfish is a popular delicacy. ''M. electricus'' is also sometimes encountered as an aquarium fish.Species
There are currently 18 recognized species in this genus: * ''Malapterurus barbatus'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002 * ''Malapterurus beninensis'' Andrew Murray (naturalist), Murray, 1855 * ''Malapterurus cavalliensis'' Tyson R. Roberts, Roberts, 2000 * ''Malapterurus electricus'' (Johann Friedrich Gmelin, Gmelin, 1789) (electric catfish) * ''Malapterurus leonensis'' Tyson R. Roberts, Roberts, 2000 * ''Malapterurus melanochir'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002 * ''Malapterurus microstoma'' Max Poll, Poll & Jean-Pierre Gosse, Gosse, 1969 (smallmouth electric catfish) * ''Malapterurus minjiriya'' Vincent Ozugbe Sagua, Sagua, 1987 * ''Malapterurus monsembeensis'' Tyson R. Roberts, Roberts, 2000 * ''Malapterurus occidentalis'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002 * ''Malapterurus oguensis'' Henri Émile Sauvage, Sauvage, 1879 * ''Malapterurus punctatus'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002 * ''Malapterurus shirensis'' Tyson R. Roberts, Roberts, 2000 * ''Malapterurus stiassnyae'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002 * ''Malapterurus tanganyikaensis'' Tyson R. Roberts, Roberts, 2000 * ''Malapterurus tanoensis'' Tyson R. Roberts, Roberts, 2000 * ''Malapterurus teugelsi'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002 * ''Malapterurus thysi'' Steven Mark Norris, Norris, 2002References