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Blackspotted leporinus (Leporinus melanostictus) — Anostomidae

Blackspotted leporinus

Leporinus melanostictus
Family: Anostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackspotted leporinus (Leporinus melanostictus) is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blackspotted leporinus is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae from the Amazon basin. Like other Leporinus species it has a spindle-shaped, streamlined body with a small mouth and fleshy lips, and a golden ground colour marked with dark spots, to which the species name (melanostictus, black-spotted) refers. It is a bottom-oriented omnivore feeding on algae, plant material and small invertebrates. The fish grows to about 28 cm and lives in flowing, vegetated waters. Relatively little detailed information is available on its precise behaviour and reproduction.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspotted leporinus?

The Blackspotted leporinus has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blackspotted leporinus live?

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

How big does the Blackspotted leporinus get?

The Blackspotted leporinus grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Blackspotted leporinus dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspotted leporinus is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartgevlekte kopstaander sourced
English name
Blackspotted leporinus sourced
Scientific name
Leporinus melanostictus
Family
Anostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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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