Chisembe: Shadow Hunters of Malawi

Filmed and Narrated by Matt Arnegard.
Edited by Chris Pelkie.
Summary: Mormyrid fishes emit weak electric pulses for object detection and communication. For decades they have served as important neurobiological models for understanding the inner workings of vertebrate brains. Until recently, however, their behaviors in the wild have eluded observation due to their nocturnal activities and turbid habitats. The transparency of Lake Malaŵi provided the first opportunity to capture underwater recordings of any freely-behaving electric fish. Our film provides an intimate view into one night in the life of the mormyrid electric fish known locally as Chisembe (Mormyrops anguilloides). In a lake already famous for cichlid fishes, behaviors of this unfamiliar nocturnal predator include electrosensory prey detection, pack hunting, and electrical activity suggestive of communication between pack members. As with many other natural systems used for investigating animal behavior, film contributes to a better understanding of the extraordinary behaviors of M. anguilloides. Our reel contains excerpts from a larger body of video data that was analyzed and published in parallel with production of the film (Arnegard and Carlson, 2005. Proc. R. Soc. B 272:1305-1314). Subsequently, the film and paper have been successfully used in conjunction with one another to teach neurobiology and behavior, illustrating the interactive power of science and film.

[@portylad4]

This is a documentary voice I can enjoy listening to. It's not over-the-top or theatrical, his voice is calm and very engaging.

[@khartlin]

Fantastic natural history Matt. Well done!

[@tommulders]

excellent video: compliments for the quality and the insightful content!

[@laiyenma]

best malawi video ever

[@arapaimagg]

Excellent video and narration......very well done

[@oneyedthing]

Awesome documentary. Such a magnificent fish
You should do more.

[@ceeej31]

excellent job!!!

[@NinjaXryho]

Never would've thought there were piscivorous mormyrids.

[@irishzx9r]

very good just subbed for more of your videos

[@MastinoPu]

very nice video! tnx!

[@JosephLuczkovich]

Nice job! I will show this in Ichthyology next year...

[@adamoaqua]

really great video! - Tania

[@EstebanMorillo282]

muy buena documentacion

[@bennycastillomorenomysmall2417]

wow great video there of these cichlid

[@bennycastillomorenomysmall2417]

Great cichlid fish and video

[@Porre1337]

cool vido :)

[@ecstacier]

a-ma-zing!

[@charlotteemmerson3308]

Hi Matt, I work for a TV production company making a fishing series for the BBC. We are interested in using some of your footage of the Chisembe in our programme. Have you got an email address I can contact you on to discuss this further please? Thanks, Charlotte

[@watchtower23]

same font as my ghost story documentary

[@MalawiGurudeTopp]

Topp !