| Family: |
Distichodontidae (Distichodus) |
| Max. size: |
14.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 15 |
| Distribution: |
Africa: widespread in the Congo River basin, from the lower Congo basin (Ref. 41594, 94471) up to the upper Lualaba (Ref. 2970), in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also in the Chiloango River basin (Ref. 81638, 94471) in Cabinda Province of Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Diagnosis: moderately elongate; well-developed snout of moderate length and moderately sized scales; 67-72 scales along lateral line; caudal fin with 3 transverse bars across each lobe; dorsal fin with series of black spots forming horizontal stripes in spread fin (Ref. 81638).
Description: body depth 0.22-0.26 SL, slightly laterally compressed; jaws terminal, massive and moderately elongate; dentition outer row of each jaw well-developed with posterior cusp largest and adjoining teeth in contact; caudal fin covered with scales other than along distal portions of rays; scales on body ctenoid and of moderate size; 6-7 scales between lateral line and anal fin origin; D: III,8-10; A: III,9 (Ref. 81638).
Coloration: preserved specimens tan to light brown, darker dorsally; posterodorsal portion of body with series of irregular, vertically elongate spots that merge posteriorly into a darker mid-dorsal pigmentation; flanks with series of vertically elongate, dark bars that alternate with more dorsally positioned dark spots; dorsal fin with 3-4 series of dark spots that form somewhat horizontal stripes in spread fin; caudal fin with 3 transverse bars across each lobe; dark spot on distal portions of upper lobe and posteriorly-attenuating dark stripe on middle rays (Ref. 81638). |
| Biology: |
Feeds on small fishes (Ref. 13614). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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