Home · Distichodontidae · Ansorge's darter tetra
Ansorge's darter tetra (Nannocharax ansorgii) — Distichodontidae

Ansorge's darter tetra

Nannocharax ansorgii
LC · Least Concern

The Ansorge's darter tetra (Nannocharax ansorgii) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; clear, flowing waters of the Congo basin and surroundings.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Ansorge's darter tetra?

Get the app

Description

Ansorge's darter tetra is a tiny, elongate bottom fish of the family Distichodontidae from Central Africa. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a slender body with fine crossbars that provide camouflage among vegetation and bottom material. With its downward-facing mouth it picks growth, periphyton and tiny invertebrates from stems, roots and substrate in clear, flowing waters, often resting on the bottom on its pectoral fins. It is a peaceful bottom dweller in small groups. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ansorge's darter tetra?

The Ansorge's darter tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Fine vertical bars as camouflage; tiny little bottom grazer that rests on its pectoral fins.

Where does the Ansorge's darter tetra live?

The Ansorge's darter tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; clear, flowing waters of the Congo basin and surroundings.

How big does the Ansorge's darter tetra get?

The Ansorge's darter tetra grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Ansorge's darter tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Ansorge's darter tetra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ansorge's darter tetra edible?

The Ansorge's darter tetra is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Ansorge's darter tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ansorge's darter tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Ansorge's darter tetra sourced
Scientific name
Nannocharax ansorgii
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.7 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Central Africa; clear, flowing waters of the Congo basin and surroundings. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Biofilm, periphyton and tiny invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Fine vertical bars as camouflage; tiny little bottom grazer that rests on its pectoral fins. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nannocharax

More from the family Distichodontidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Ansorge's darter tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ansorge's darter tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Ansorge's darter tetra? Get the app