| Family: |
Distichodontidae (Distichodus) |
| Max. size: |
83 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 6,200.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lake Albert (Ref. 4903, 49805), Lakes Turkana and No, Murchison Nile (Ref. 4903), White and Blue Nile, and the Chad basin where it is uncommon (Ref. 7094). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-26; Anal soft rays: 13-15. Diagnosis: depth of body 2.5-3.5 times in standard length, length of head 3 (in young fishes) to 5 times (in adults) (Ref. 4903). Snout not elongated (Ref. 28714), rounded (Ref. 4903), not or slightly projecting beyond the mouth (Ref. 4903, 28714). Maxilla extending to below the nostrils; upper surface of the head, and the operculum ridged with low, radiating striations (Ref. 4903). Teeth all small and bicuspidate (Ref. 28714), in two series, outer with 24-36 teeth (Ref. 4903). Dorsal fin with 22-26 rays, the first 3-6 unbranched (Ref. 4903). Adipose fin covered with small scales (Ref. 4903, 28714), small, its basal length about 2-4 times its distance from the posterior margin of the dorsal fin (Ref. 28714). Anal fin with 13-15 rays, the first 3-4 unbranched; caudal fin forked, its rounded lobes almost entirely scaled; lateral line with 90-110 scales (Ref. 4903). 18-21 scales between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (Ref. 4903, 28714). 15-18 scales between insertion of pelvic fin and lateral line (Ref. 4903). Large robust fish as adults (Ref. 28714).
Coloration: purplish-silver above, silver below; young fishes with several vertical dark bars on the flank (Ref. 4903). |
| Biology: |
In Lake Albert found in the shallow inshore waters, especially in the region of
deltas; also in rivers (Ref. 4903). Macro-herbivore, feeds on submerged water plants (Ref. 4903, 28714), Eichornia roots and periphyton (Ref. 28714), but also molluscs and small Crustacea (Ref. 4903). Oviparous (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 12 April 2021 (A2bcd+3cd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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