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Sharptooth leporinus (Leporinus acutidens) — Anostomidae

Sharptooth leporinus

Leporinus acutidens
Family: Anostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sharptooth leporinus (Leporinus acutidens) is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Leporinus acutidens is a headstander (family Anostomidae) of South America. The species grows to about 33 cm and has an elongate, streamlined, golden body with a small mouth and fleshy lips, usually marked with dark spots or bands. It lives near the bottom in rivers and feeds as an omnivore on algae, plant matter and small invertebrates. Reproduction occurs in pairs in densely vegetated places; males mature after one year and females after two, with a spawning season from November to March. The species is harmless to humans and is eaten locally on a modest scale.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharptooth leporinus?

The Sharptooth leporinus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Sharptooth leporinus live?

The Sharptooth leporinus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Sharptooth leporinus get?

The Sharptooth leporinus grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Sharptooth leporinus dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharptooth leporinus is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharptooth leporinus edible?

The Sharptooth leporinus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitstand-kopstaander sourced
English name
Sharptooth leporinus sourced
Scientific name
Leporinus acutidens
Family
Anostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Leporinus

More from the family Anostomidae

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