Electric Catfish

Medium-sized species probably attaining over 300 mm; vertebral counts 23+19+42(2); tooth bands moderately large, laterally and longitudinally moderately broad. Distinguished from the species in the Congo basin by its coloration, with relatively large blotches similar with M. electricus and M. minjiriya. Resembles M. electricus but differs in having more vertebrae (45 vs. 41-44), fewer gill rakers, and oral tooth bands that are laterally and longitudinally somewhat shorter. Holotype and paratype from the Shire have 2+21=23 and 3+18=21 gill rakers on the first gill arch (Ref. 34006). Tooth patches narrow; pectoral fin placed near the body mid-depth; 9 pectoral-fin rays; 9-11 anal-fin rays; total number of vertebrae 40-41; 7-8 branched caudal-fin rays; large blotches on dorsum and flank; base color grey; caudal fin at most lightly spotted (Ref. 44050).Description: head and trunk moderately depressed; mouth wide; lower jaw slightly prominent; 16-17 abdominal and 23-25 caudal vertebrae; 19-20 caudal fin rays (arrangement ii-7-8-ii-iii) (Ref. 44050).Coloration: body and head bicolored; dorsum and flank dark brown, with venter pale tan or off-white; scattered large blotches (up to 2-5 times an eye diameter) mark dorsum and flank; small spots occasionally mark the venter; a light scattering of small spots is carried onto caudal fin, which is otherwise pigmented as flank; no pale distal margin or pale basal crescent on caudal fin; pectoral fin slightly darkened; pelvic fin unpigmented; juvenile pigmentation unknown; no indication of a caudal saddle and bar pattern (Ref. 44050).

Anal spines: 0; Analsoft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 40 - 45

Malapterurus shirensis is a species of electric catfish native to the Zambezi River basin where it occurs in the countries of Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This species grows to a length of 37.2 centimetres (14.6 in) SL.