Home · Poeciliidae · Lualaba lampeye
Lualaba lampeye (Lacustricola lualabaensis) — Poeciliidae

Lualaba lampeye

Lacustricola lualabaensis
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Lualaba lampeye is an African lampeye (Procatopodidae) from shaded streams and pools of the Lualaba drainage in the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body with a glowing eye ring. As a social fish it hovers in schools just below the surface and snaps at small zooplankton, insect larvae and insects fallen on the water. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lualaba lampeye?

The Lualaba lampeye has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Lualaba lampeye live?

The Lualaba lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Lualaba lampeye get?

The Lualaba lampeye grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Lualaba lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Lualaba lampeye is harmless to humans.

Is the Lualaba lampeye edible?

The Lualaba lampeye is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lualaba-lampoogje sourced
English name
Lualaba lampeye sourced
Scientific name
Lacustricola lualabaensis
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lacustricola

More from the family Poeciliidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →