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Big tailed lampeye (Lacustricola macrurus) — Poeciliidae

Big tailed lampeye

Lacustricola macrurus
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Big tailed lampeye (Lacustricola macrurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Angola
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The big tailed lampeye is a small killifish from Angola, mainly from the Cuanza and other Atlantic-flowing rivers. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender body with an upturned mouth, a far rearward-set dorsal fin and a notably large caudal fin; the name lampeye refers to the glinting upper edge of the eye. It lives in small rivers, brooks and swamps and feeds on small invertebrates. It is an egg-laying, non-seasonal species. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big tailed lampeye?

The Big tailed lampeye has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large caudal fin; glittering eye rim (lanterneye)

Where does the Big tailed lampeye live?

The Big tailed lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Angola

How big does the Big tailed lampeye get?

The Big tailed lampeye grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Big tailed lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Big tailed lampeye 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 Big tailed lampeye edible?

The Big tailed lampeye is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Big tailed lampeye verified
Scientific name
Lacustricola macrurus
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
White-eye topminnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Angola verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and insect larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Oviparous; reproduces in the rainy season. sourced
Special features
Large caudal fin; glittering eye rim (lanterneye) 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 Lacustricola

More from the family Poeciliidae

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