Home · Distichodontidae · Long-snouted distichodus
Long-snouted distichodus (Distichodus lusosso) — Distichodontidae

Long-snouted distichodus

Distichodus lusosso
LC · Least Concern

The Long-snouted distichodus (Distichodus lusosso) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Fresh water of Central Africa, the Congo basin and the Angolan rivers, in vegetated rivers, creeks and swamps.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The long-snouted distichodus is a deep, laterally compressed characin of the family Distichodontidae reaching about 38 cm. The orange-brown body bears several dark crossbars, an adipose fin and stands out for its long, pointed snout with a small, downturned mouth, with which the fish grazes growth among plants and crevices. The species comes from the Congo basin and the Angolan rivers of Central Africa and lives in schools in vegetated rivers, creeks and swamps. As a plant-eater it eats water plants, algae, growth and detritus. Because of its handsome colour and shape it is popular in the aquarium hobby, and locally it is a food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Long-snouted distichodus?

The Long-snouted distichodus has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Deep-bodied, orange-brown small characin with dark vertical bars, an adipose fin and a strikingly long, pointed snout.

Where does the Long-snouted distichodus live?

The Long-snouted distichodus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Fresh water of Central Africa, the Congo basin and the Angolan rivers, in vegetated rivers, creeks and swamps.

How big does the Long-snouted distichodus get?

The Long-snouted distichodus grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Long-snouted distichodus dangerous to humans?

No, the Long-snouted distichodus is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Long-snouted distichodus edible?

Yes, the Long-snouted distichodus is commonly eaten.

More photos

Long-snouted distichodus (Distichodus lusosso) — Distichodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) thierry_aebischer_chinko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Long-snouted distichodus (Distichodus lusosso) — Distichodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — The Great Mule of Eupatoria (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Long-snouted distichodus (Distichodus lusosso) — Distichodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Fish and Benthos survey Chinko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Long-snouted distichodus (Distichodus lusosso) — Distichodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Fish and Benthos survey Chinko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Long-snouted distichodus verified
Scientific name
Distichodus lusosso
Family
Distichodontidae
Other names
Longsnout distichodus sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Natural range
Fresh water of Central Africa, the Congo basin and the Angolan rivers, in vegetated rivers, creeks and swamps. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore verified
Diet (detail)
Aquatic plants, algae, biofilm and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Spawns in the rainy season among flooded vegetation; eggs and larvae drift in open water. sourced
Special features
Deep-bodied, orange-brown small characin with dark vertical bars, an adipose fin and a strikingly long, pointed snout. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Fishing with plant bait or paste bait on a bottom or float rig. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Distichodus

More from the family Distichodontidae

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