Paramormyrops curvifrons (Taverne, Thys van den Audenaerde, Heymer and Géry 1977)

benthopelagic; freshwater

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A slender Paramormyrops with body depth 14.9–23.0% SL. Dorsal fin base length slightly less than anal fin base. Both anal and dorsal terminate at about the same vertical level. Head is V-shaped when viewed from above; five teeth in upper jaw, six in lower. Tail with 12 circumpeduncular scales. Caudal peduncle depth, 18.11–24.82% caudal peduncle length. 20–22 dorsal rays, 24-–27 anal rays. Head profile has a distinct concave slope that differs from the more rounded one of P. sphekodes. Dorsal fin height 12.9–15.8% SL, anal fin height 13.6–18.3% SL. 63–77 lateral line scales. The pectoral fins reach beyond the origin of the pelvics. The anal and dorsal fins end posteriorly at about the same level. The length of the dorsal fin divided by the length of the anal varies between 0.76–0.98. The head profile is sharp, the head angle is between 21.6-–28.1°, the snout angle between 29.6–55.5°. The teeth are long and project forward in the mouth. The upper profile of the head is slightly concave.

In life, the body is a uniform deep chocolate-brown over the back, lighter below. The border of the mouth is often white or lightly pigmented giving the appearance of white ‘lips’. Fin rays and membranes are darkly pigmented.