Stomatorhinus

Stomatorhinus is a genus with 13 species in this atlas, catalogued in the Arowanas & Oddballs section, recorded from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Republic of the Congo. Adult sizes run from 2 in to 4 in. Every species below links to a full researched profile.

Species in atlas
13
Adult sizes
2–4 in
IUCN assessed
13 of 13 · 1 threatened
Recorded from
4 countries

About the genus

Stomatorhinus is a genus of small weakly electric fish in the elephantfish family Mormyridae, native to Congo Basin rivers and adjacent Central African drainages, with the atlas's 13 species recorded from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. Like other mormyrids, they generate a weak electric field from an organ near the tail and read distortions in that field through sensitive skin receptors, an electrolocation sense that lets them navigate and communicate in the dark, turbid, or nocturnal conditions typical of Central African rivers, largely independent of vision.

This genus is essentially unknown in the aquarium trade and is mostly of scientific interest; most of its species do not even carry English common names. Conservation data are sparse, with 8 of 13 species listed Not Evaluated, reflecting how little survey attention reaches small Congo Basin mormyrids compared with their larger, better-studied elephantnose relatives. The tally also includes one Vulnerable and one Data Deficient species, hinting at localized concern in specific Congo tributaries even where broader data are lacking.

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable · 1 Least Concern · 3 Data Deficient · 1 Not Evaluated · 8

The 13 species

Every Stomatorhinus recorded in this atlas. Each card links to a full researched profile — distribution, water parameters, and aquarium care, cited to primary sources.

Pellegrin, 1924

NE

Boulenger, 1899

4 in TL · LC

Poll, 1941

2 in SL · LC

Boulenger, 1899

NE

Sullivan & Hopkins, 2005

NE

Boulenger, 1898

VU

Vinciguerra, 1928

NE

Matthes, 1964

4 in SL · NE

Boulenger, 1899

NE

Boulenger, 1899

NE

(Günther, 1867)

3.5 in TL · LC

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How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Genus Stomatorhinus. Aquarist Atlas. https://www.aquaristatlas.com/stomatorhinus/

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