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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
Range
Central Africa; streams and vegetated waters of the Lualaba river basin (upper Congo).
Edibility
Not eaten

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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. Glossy, reflective upper side of the eyes (lampeye); tiny surface schooling fish.

Where does the Lualaba lampeye live?

The Lualaba lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; streams and vegetated waters of the Lualaba river basin (upper Congo).

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. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Lualaba lampeye edible?

The Lualaba lampeye is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

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
Natural range
Central Africa; streams and vegetated waters of the Lualaba river basin (upper Congo). inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insects and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Glossy, reflective upper side of the eyes (lampeye); tiny surface schooling fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Lacustricola

More from the family Poeciliidae

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