Home · Poeciliidae · Cental east african lampeye
Cental east african lampeye (Lacustricola centralis) — Poeciliidae

Cental east african lampeye

Lacustricola centralis
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cental east african lampeye (Lacustricola centralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Africa, in the basin of Lake Rukwa (Tanzania).
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The central east african lampeye is a very small lampeye fish from East Africa, in the drainage of Lake Rukwa in Tanzania. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has a slender, silvery body with the reflective upper rim of the eye characteristic of lampeyes. It occurs in quite shallow water among flooded grasses. It stays near the water surface and feeds on small zooplankton and insect larvae. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is mainly of scientific interest for knowledge of the East African killifishes.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cental east african lampeye?

The Cental east african lampeye has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Very small lampeye of flooded grasslands in the Rukwa basin.

Where does the Cental east african lampeye live?

The Cental east african lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Africa, in the basin of Lake Rukwa (Tanzania).

How big does the Cental east african lampeye get?

The Cental east african lampeye grows to a maximum of about 3 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Cental east african lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Cental east african lampeye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Cental east african lampeye edible?

The Cental east african lampeye is not usually eaten.

More photos

Cental east african lampeye (Lacustricola centralis) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cental east african lampeye (Lacustricola centralis) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cental east african lampeye verified
Scientific name
Lacustricola centralis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Cental east african lampeye; Central African lampeye verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.3 verified
Average length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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
Natural range
East Africa, in the basin of Lake Rukwa (Tanzania). inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Very small lampeye of flooded grasslands in the Rukwa basin. 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 Lacustricola

More from the family Poeciliidae

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