Peters's Elephantnose Fish

African fish · electrolocation · super smart

Enormous brain power. Peters's elephantnose fish has the largest brain-to-body oxygen use ratio of all known vertebrates, meaning its brain uses more energy compared to its body size than any other animal with a backbone.

Electric sense for hunting. Instead of relying mainly on sight, this fish uses electrolocation to find prey in the muddy rivers where it lives, sensing tiny electric signals that other animals give off.

Fancy long snout. The fish gets its name from its unusual trunk-like snout, which makes it look a bit like a tiny elephant swimming through African rivers.

African river dweller. Peters's elephantnose fish lives in freshwater rivers in Africa, particularly in areas like the Ubangi River, where the water is often murky and dark.

Named after a naturalist. The fish's scientific name petersii probably honors Wilhelm Peters, a German naturalist who studied the natural world and discovered many animal species.