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Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax fasciatus) — Distichodontidae

Banded African darter tetra

Nannocharax fasciatus
LC · Least Concern

The Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax fasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Flowing streams and rivers of West Africa.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Nannocharax fasciatus is a small, bottom-dwelling fish of the family Distichodontidae from West Africa. The species has an elongate, slightly flattened body with a row of dark cross-bars and grows to only a few centimetres. With its bottom-oriented habits and jerky movement it resembles the North American darters, hence the English name. It inhabits clear, flowing streams and rivers with a sandy or gravel bottom and feeds on small invertebrates picked from the bottom. Owing to its peculiar appearance the species is prized by advanced aquarists; it has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded African darter tetra?

The Banded African darter tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Bottom-dweller with dark vertical bars that resembles a darter.

Where does the Banded African darter tetra live?

The Banded African darter tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Flowing streams and rivers of West Africa.

How big does the Banded African darter tetra get?

The Banded African darter tetra grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Banded African darter tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded African darter tetra is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Banded African darter tetra edible?

The Banded African darter tetra is not usually eaten.

More photos

Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax fasciatus) — Distichodontidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Jonathan (Jon) Armbruster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax fasciatus) — Distichodontidae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax fasciatus) — Distichodontidae — 4
Rob Palmer (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax fasciatus) — Distichodontidae — 5
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
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All data

Identification

English name
Banded African darter tetra sourced
Scientific name
Nannocharax fasciatus
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold 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
Flowing streams and rivers of West Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small 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
Bottom-dweller with dark vertical bars that resembles a darter. 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
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Nannocharax

More from the family Distichodontidae

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