Trunkfish

Diagnosis: teeth small and conical (Ref. 4903, 81274), arranged in a single series confined to the middle of each jaw, 5-6 in both jaws (Ref. 4903). 16(-18) scales around caudal peduncle (Ref. 4903, 81274). Body depth 3.0-4.7 times in standard length; anal-fin base 0.7-0.9 times in dorsal-fin base (Ref. 81274). Head length 4-5.5 times in SL; upper head profile gently curved; snout 1/3-1/4 length of head; eye 1/2-2/3 length of snout; mouth small, a globular, fleshy swelling on the chin (Ref. 4903). Dorsal fin beginning slightly behind level of anal fin-origin (Ref. 2915, 81274), above the the 6th-9th anal fin ray (Ref. 4903) and comprising 25-31 rays (Ref. 2915, 4903, 81274). 70-92 lateral-line scales (Ref. 4903, 81274). Caudal-peduncle 2.0-3.4 times longer than deep (Ref. 2915, 4903, 81274). Caudal fin partly covered with small scales, its lobes pointed (Ref. 4903).Coloration: silvery-grey, sometimes dark grey to blackish (Ref. 81274) or dark bluish-green dorsally (Ref. 4903).

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 31; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 30 - 37

Feeds mainly on insects and crustaceans (Ref. 6160).

Inhabits lakes, lagoons, reservoirs and (irrigation) canals; a bottom feeding insectivore; breeds during the flood season and enters the floodplain for this purpose (Ref. 28714). Shows three 'preferred' modes of intervals between electric organ discharges (inter-EOD) when at rest: 10-35 ms, 50-120 ms and 200-350 ms (Ref. 10833).

fisheries: minor commercial