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Twospot bivibranchia (Bivibranchia bimaculata) — Hemiodontidae

Twospot bivibranchia

Bivibranchia bimaculata
Family: Hemiodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Twospot bivibranchia (Bivibranchia bimaculata) is a freshwater fish of the family Hemiodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Bivibranchia bimaculata is a slender freshwater fish of the family Hemiodontidae from northern South America. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with two dark spots and reaches about 13 cm. It occurs over sand and rock bottoms and has a strongly protrusible mouth with which it digs in the sand for the small organisms on which it feeds. The species is oviparous; juveniles are often found in tributaries that may be far from the main river. Owing to its small size it has limited fishery importance and is sometimes found in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twospot bivibranchia?

The Twospot bivibranchia has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Twospot bivibranchia live?

The Twospot bivibranchia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Twospot bivibranchia get?

The Twospot bivibranchia grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Twospot bivibranchia dangerous to humans?

No, the Twospot bivibranchia is harmless to humans.

Is the Twospot bivibranchia edible?

The Twospot bivibranchia is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweevlek-zandzeef sourced
English name
Twospot bivibranchia sourced
Scientific name
Bivibranchia bimaculata
Family
Hemiodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bivibranchia

More from the family Hemiodontidae

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