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Eyespot lampeye (Lacustricola omoculatus) — Poeciliidae

Eyespot lampeye

Lacustricola omoculatus
Family: Poeciliidae

The Eyespot lampeye (Lacustricola omoculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Tanzania
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Eyespot lampeye is a small African lampeye (Procatopodidae) from shallow fresh water of East Africa. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body with a strikingly iridescent blue-glowing upper rim of the eye. As a schooling fish it swims near the surface of clear streams, pools and lake shores and snaps at small zooplankton and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eyespot lampeye?

The Eyespot lampeye has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Eyespot lampeye live?

The Eyespot lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Africa: Tanzania

How big does the Eyespot lampeye get?

The Eyespot lampeye grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Eyespot lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Eyespot 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 Eyespot lampeye edible?

Yes, the Eyespot lampeye is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Eyespot lampeye sourced
Scientific name
Lacustricola omoculatus
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Ruaha lampeye sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Average length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Africa: Tanzania sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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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