Abstract
THROUGH the kindness of Dr. K. R. S. Morris, Gold Coast, I received a living specimen of Gymnarchus niloticus, a fish which occurs in the rivers of West Africa and in the Nile. Observation of this fish in an aquarium has revealed two striking features: (i) a mode of locomotion through waves passing over the extended dorsal fin and executed forwards and backwards with equal ease; (ii) a marked ability of the fish to avoid obstacles while swimming backwards. The hind end and particularly the finger-like tail are known to contain tissues corresponding to an electric organ; it seemed of interest to consider whether this organ may enable the animal to detect objects in the vicinity of its body.
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References
Regnart, H. C., J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., 17, 415 (1930–31).
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LISSMANN, H. Continuous Electrical Signals from the Tail of a Fish, Gymnarchus niloticus Cuv.. Nature 167, 201–202 (1951). https://doi.org/10.1038/167201a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/167201a0
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